A rotor assembly for an aircraft operable to generate a variable thrust output at a constant rotational speed. The rotor assembly includes a mast rotatable at the constant speed about a mast axis. A rotor hub is coupled to and rotatable with the mast. The rotor hub includes a plurality of spindle grips extending generally radially outwardly. Each of the spindle grips is coupled to one of a plurality of rotor blades and is operable to rotate therewith about a pitch change axis. A collective pitch control mechanism is coupled to and rotatable with the rotor hub. The collective pitch control mechanism is operably associated with each spindle grip such that actuation of the collective pitch control mechanism rotates each spindle grip about the respective pitch change axis to collectively control the pitch of the rotor blades, thereby generating the variable thrust output.

A rotor assembly for an aircraft operable to generate a variable thrust output at a constant rotational speed. The rotor assembly includes a mast rotatable at the constant speed about a mast axis. A rotor hub is coupled to and rotatable with the mast. The rotor hub includes a plurality of spindle grips extending generally radially outwardly. Each of the spindle grips is coupled to one of a plurality of rotor blades and is operable to rotate therewith about a pitch change axis. A collective pitch control mechanism is coupled to and rotatable with the rotor hub. The collective pitch control mechanism is operably associated with each spindle grip such that actuation of the collective pitch control mechanism rotates each spindle grip about the respective pitch change axis to collectively control the pitch of the rotor blades, thereby generating the variable thrust output.

A cyclic pitch angle adjustment apparatus for a rotor or propeller, to a rotor with such a cyclic pitch angle adjustment apparatus, and to a rotorcraft with such a rotor. The cyclic pitch angle adjustment apparatus may include levers that rotate rotor blades around associated pitch axes rods that mechanically link the levers with a bearing such that the rods are movable relative to the central point, the bearing being attached to a central rod that is movable and adapted for adjusting the cyclic pitch angle of the rotor blades from one pitch angle in one position to another pitch angle in another position.

A cyclic pitch angle adjustment apparatus for a rotor or propeller, to a rotor with such a cyclic pitch angle adjustment apparatus, and to a rotorcraft with such a rotor. The cyclic pitch angle adjustment apparatus may include levers that rotate rotor blades around associated pitch axes rods that mechanically link the levers with a bearing such that the rods are movable relative to the central point, the bearing being attached to a central rod that is movable and adapted for adjusting the cyclic pitch angle of the rotor blades from one pitch angle in one position to another pitch angle in another position.

A gimbaled rotor assembly for an aircraft. The gimbaled rotor assembly including a static mast; a spherical bearing comprising an inner component and an outer component pivotable relative to each other about a bearing focus, the inner component fixedly coupled to the static mast; a rotor hub rotatably coupled to the outer component, allowing for relative rotation of the rotor hub about a rotor axis and for pivoting together with the outer component about the bearing focus; and a primary hub spring coupling the outer component to the static mast and configured for opposing pivoting of the rotor hub about the bearing focus from a neutral position.

The invention is directed to an aerial vehicle with a hybrid drive unit (10) and with a rotor unit (1, 1′) wherein the hybrid drive unit (10) comprises at least a combustion engine (11), a generator (12) and a first electric motor (7) and the rotor unit (1, 1′) comprises a first rotor (1), wherein the combustion engine (11) is configured to drive the generator (12) to produce electricity, the generator (12) is coupled to the first electric motor (7) in such a way that the first electric motor (7) is feedable with electricity from the generator (12). The rotor unit (1, 1′) comprises a second rotor (1) and the hybrid drive unit (10) comprises a second electric motor (7′), wherein the generator (12) is coupled to the second electric motor (7′) in such a way that the second electric motor (7′) is feedable with electricity from the generator (12), and wherein the first rotor (1) is driven by the first electric motor (7) and the second rotor (1′) is driven by the second electric motor (7′).

The invention is directed to an aerial vehicle with a hybrid drive unit (10) and with a rotor unit (1, 1′) wherein the hybrid drive unit (10) comprises at least a combustion engine (11), a generator (12) and a first electric motor (7) and the rotor unit (1, 1′) comprises a first rotor (1), wherein the combustion engine (11) is configured to drive the generator (12) to produce electricity, the generator (12) is coupled to the first electric motor (7) in such a way that the first electric motor (7) is feedable with electricity from the generator (12). The rotor unit (1, 1′) comprises a second rotor (1) and the hybrid drive unit (10) comprises a second electric motor (7′), wherein the generator (12) is coupled to the second electric motor (7′) in such a way that the second electric motor (7′) is feedable with electricity from the generator (12), and wherein the first rotor (1) is driven by the first electric motor (7) and the second rotor (1′) is driven by the second electric motor (7′).

A coaxial rotor system for a rotorcraft includes a mast, a top rotor assembly and a bottom rotor assembly. The top rotor assembly is coupled to the distal end of the mast. The bottom rotor assembly includes a motor configured to provide rotational energy to the mast, thereby rotating the top rotor assembly. The bottom rotor assembly experiences a torque reaction force responsive to the motor rotating the mast such that the top and bottom rotor assemblies counter rotate.

A link rotor head and an unmanned aerial vehicle are disclosed. The link rotor head includes a main shaft, a rotor hub arranged at an upper end of the main shaft, a rotor assembly rotatably arranged on the rotor hub, a swashplate assembly movably arranged around the main shaft, and a link assembly. The swashplate assembly drives the rotor assembly to rotate via the link assembly. The link assembly includes a phase link, a phase rocker and a pitch link. The phase rocker is rotatably arranged on the rotor hub, with one end of the phase rocker movably connected with the swashplate assembly via the phase link and with an other end of the phase rocker movably connected with the rotor assembly via the pitch link.

A link rotor head and an unmanned aerial vehicle are disclosed. The link rotor head includes a main shaft, a rotor hub arranged at an upper end of the main shaft, a rotor assembly rotatably arranged on the rotor hub, a swashplate assembly movably arranged around the main shaft, and a link assembly. The swashplate assembly drives the rotor assembly to rotate via the link assembly. The link assembly includes a phase link, a phase rocker and a pitch link. The phase rocker is rotatably arranged on the rotor hub, with one end of the phase rocker movably connected with the swashplate assembly via the phase link and with an other end of the phase rocker movably connected with the rotor assembly via the pitch link.