B64C27/50

Low-Drag Blade Tip
20210362845 · 2021-11-25 · ·

Embodiments are directed to a rotor blade comprising a blade tip attached to the outboard end of the rotor blade. The blade tip has at least two sides that are tapered together to an edge. The length of the blade tip extending away from the outboard end to the edge is a distance that is greater than half the thickness of the outboard end. When the rotor blade is operating in a folded configuration, air flows over the sides in a direction generally parallel to a longitudinal axis of the rotor blade. The sides have profiles that minimize or prevent separation of the air flow from the blade tip.

Low-Drag Blade Tip
20210362845 · 2021-11-25 · ·

Embodiments are directed to a rotor blade comprising a blade tip attached to the outboard end of the rotor blade. The blade tip has at least two sides that are tapered together to an edge. The length of the blade tip extending away from the outboard end to the edge is a distance that is greater than half the thickness of the outboard end. When the rotor blade is operating in a folded configuration, air flows over the sides in a direction generally parallel to a longitudinal axis of the rotor blade. The sides have profiles that minimize or prevent separation of the air flow from the blade tip.

Dual flex-beam assembly for folding rotor blade
11225324 · 2022-01-18 · ·

A rotor blade for a rotary wing aircraft includes a rotor hub including a first flex-beam attachment member and a flex-beam assembly. The flex-beam assembly includes a flex-beam support member having an attachment end and a wrapping end. A first flex-beam includes a first end, a second end and an intermediate portion. The first end of the first flex-beam is connected at the first flex-beam attachment member and the second end of the first flex-beam being connected to the attachment end of the flex-beam support member. A second flex-beam includes first end portion, a second end portion and an intermediate section. The first end portion of the second flex-beam is connected at the first flex-beam attachment member, the second end portion of the second flex-beam being connected at the second flex-beam attachment member and the intermediate section extending about the wrapping end of the flex-beam support member.

Dual flex-beam assembly for folding rotor blade
11225324 · 2022-01-18 · ·

A rotor blade for a rotary wing aircraft includes a rotor hub including a first flex-beam attachment member and a flex-beam assembly. The flex-beam assembly includes a flex-beam support member having an attachment end and a wrapping end. A first flex-beam includes a first end, a second end and an intermediate portion. The first end of the first flex-beam is connected at the first flex-beam attachment member and the second end of the first flex-beam being connected to the attachment end of the flex-beam support member. A second flex-beam includes first end portion, a second end portion and an intermediate section. The first end portion of the second flex-beam is connected at the first flex-beam attachment member, the second end portion of the second flex-beam being connected at the second flex-beam attachment member and the intermediate section extending about the wrapping end of the flex-beam support member.

Centerline tiltrotor

Embodiments are directed to a rotorcraft comprising a body having a longitudinal axis, a wing coupled to the body, a single tiltrotor assembly pivotally coupled to the body, and the tiltrotor assembly configured to move between a position generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis during a vertical flight mode and a position generally parallel to the longitudinal axis during a horizontal flight mode. The rotorcraft may further comprise an anti-torque system configured to counteract torque generated by the tiltrotor assembly during vertical flight. The rotorcraft may further comprise a center of gravity compensation system configured to manage a rotorcraft center of gravity during movement of the tiltrotor assembly between the vertical flight mode and the horizontal flight mode.

Centerline tiltrotor

Embodiments are directed to a rotorcraft comprising a body having a longitudinal axis, a wing coupled to the body, a single tiltrotor assembly pivotally coupled to the body, and the tiltrotor assembly configured to move between a position generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis during a vertical flight mode and a position generally parallel to the longitudinal axis during a horizontal flight mode. The rotorcraft may further comprise an anti-torque system configured to counteract torque generated by the tiltrotor assembly during vertical flight. The rotorcraft may further comprise a center of gravity compensation system configured to manage a rotorcraft center of gravity during movement of the tiltrotor assembly between the vertical flight mode and the horizontal flight mode.

Rotor blade folding system

A foldable rotor blade assembly includes a first section including a connector assembly including a plurality of through holes and a second section including a connector having a plurality of openings. The connector is receivable within a hollow interior of the first section. A plurality of fasteners insertable within the plurality of through holes and the plurality of openings. A fold assembly is operably coupled to both the first section and the second section. The fold assembly defines a blade fold axis about which the second section is rotatable to transform the rotor blade assembly between a normal configuration when the connector is received within the hollow interior of the first section, and a folded configuration when the connector has rotated outside of the hollow interior of the first section.

Rotor blade folding system

A foldable rotor blade assembly includes a first section including a connector assembly including a plurality of through holes and a second section including a connector having a plurality of openings. The connector is receivable within a hollow interior of the first section. A plurality of fasteners insertable within the plurality of through holes and the plurality of openings. A fold assembly is operably coupled to both the first section and the second section. The fold assembly defines a blade fold axis about which the second section is rotatable to transform the rotor blade assembly between a normal configuration when the connector is received within the hollow interior of the first section, and a folded configuration when the connector has rotated outside of the hollow interior of the first section.

Unmanned aerial vehicle with enhanced cargo storage

System and method for loading cargo onto an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). One embodiment is a cargo pod for an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). The cargo pod includes a hollow body that forms a section of a fuselage of the UAV, and further includes a latching mechanism that releasably secures the hollow body with the fuselage of the UAV.

Unmanned flight systems and control systems thereof

The present disclosure provides an unmanned flight system and a control system for an unmanned flight system. The unmanned flight system comprises: a body and a lift mechanism connected to the body, wherein the lift mechanism includes two rotor assembly arm structures respectively provided on two sides of the body, wherein each of the rotor assembly arm structures respectively includes: an arm, a pivotable rotor assembly, a motor for driving the rotor assembly to pivot about a pivot axis, and a motor base for mounting the motor, wherein one end of the arm is pivotally connected to one side of the body, the motor base is pivotally provided on the other end of the arm, and a rotational axis of the motor base is higher than a center of gravity of the unmanned flight system. The unmanned flight system according to the present disclosure can achieve a longer flight time, a simple rotor assembly structure, and easier overall assembly and maintenance.