Patent classifications
B64C27/635
PROPULSION ASSEMBLY
A system can include a flight controller for an aircraft that includes an electric motor that drives blades with a variable pitch, where the flight controller receives a command to change a flight characteristic of the aircraft and creates a torque command and a revolutions per minute (RPM) command. The system can also include a propulsion assembly, where the propulsion assembly creates a current command based at least in part on the torque command and the RPM command, creates a blade pitch command based at least in part on the torque command and the RPM command, communicates the current command to the electric motor to change a mechanical output of the electric motor, and communicates the blade pitch command to blade actuators to control the pitch of the blades. The current command and the blade pitch command cause the blades of the aircraft to rotate at a predetermined RPM.
BLADE DAMPER WITH A MAGNETIC CONTAMINANTS TRAP
A blade damper with a magnetic contaminants trap includes, a housing defining a cavity, a piston in operable communication with the housing dividing the cavity into at least a first chamber and a second chamber, a passageway in operable communication with the cavity configured to allow fluid within the cavity to move between the first chamber and the second chamber through the passageway, and at least one magnet in operable communication with fluid in at least one of the cavity and the passageway, such that magnetic contaminants are prevented from freely moving about within the fluid after having been attracted toward the at least one magnet by a magnetic field of the at least one magnet.
BLADE DAMPER WITH A MAGNETIC CONTAMINANTS TRAP
A blade damper with a magnetic contaminants trap includes, a housing defining a cavity, a piston in operable communication with the housing dividing the cavity into at least a first chamber and a second chamber, a passageway in operable communication with the cavity configured to allow fluid within the cavity to move between the first chamber and the second chamber through the passageway, and at least one magnet in operable communication with fluid in at least one of the cavity and the passageway, such that magnetic contaminants are prevented from freely moving about within the fluid after having been attracted toward the at least one magnet by a magnetic field of the at least one magnet.
Rotary dampers, systems, and related methods
Rotary dampers and systems for use and installation within a rotary winged aircraft, and related methods, are provided herein. In some aspects, a rotary damper includes a housing having a rotor assembly positioned inside the housing. The rotary damper may further include at least one resilient member disposed adjacent to an outer portion of the housing. The at least one resilient member is externally visible from outside of the rotary damper. In some aspects, the resilient member includes a torsional spring of the rotary damper. In certain aspects, the resilient member is disk shaped and slidable within a portion of the rotary damper. In some aspects, at least one primary liquid orifice is provided in a portion of the at least one rotor member. In some aspects, at least one pressure equalization port is disposed within a portion of the rotor assembly.
Rotary dampers, systems, and related methods
Rotary dampers and systems for use and installation within a rotary winged aircraft, and related methods, are provided herein. In some aspects, a rotary damper includes a housing having a rotor assembly positioned inside the housing. The rotary damper may further include at least one resilient member disposed adjacent to an outer portion of the housing. The at least one resilient member is externally visible from outside of the rotary damper. In some aspects, the resilient member includes a torsional spring of the rotary damper. In certain aspects, the resilient member is disk shaped and slidable within a portion of the rotary damper. In some aspects, at least one primary liquid orifice is provided in a portion of the at least one rotor member. In some aspects, at least one pressure equalization port is disposed within a portion of the rotor assembly.
ACTIVE ROTOR DAMPING SYSTEM
An aircraft is provided and includes a non-rotating frame, an engine disposed in the non-rotating frame, a rotating frame, which is drivable by the engine to rotate relative to the non-rotating frame to generate lift and thrust, the rotating frame including a hub and rotor blades extending outwardly from the hub, an actuation system including electro-mechanical actuators (EMAs) respectively disposed in the rotating frame between the hub and the rotor blades, each EMA including a rotary inductive device, a gear train associated with each EMA and the corresponding rotary inductive device to convert linear displacements of a piston responsive to rotor blade lead/lag into rotation of the rotary inductive device and a controller that controls the rotary inductive device to operate, in a first mode, as a motor which drives the gear train, and, in a second mode, as a generator which is driven by the gear train.
ACTIVE ROTOR DAMPING SYSTEM
An aircraft is provided and includes a non-rotating frame, an engine disposed in the non-rotating frame, a rotating frame, which is drivable by the engine to rotate relative to the non-rotating frame to generate lift and thrust, the rotating frame including a hub and rotor blades extending outwardly from the hub, an actuation system including electro-mechanical actuators (EMAs) respectively disposed in the rotating frame between the hub and the rotor blades, each EMA including a rotary inductive device, a gear train associated with each EMA and the corresponding rotary inductive device to convert linear displacements of a piston responsive to rotor blade lead/lag into rotation of the rotary inductive device and a controller that controls the rotary inductive device to operate, in a first mode, as a motor which drives the gear train, and, in a second mode, as a generator which is driven by the gear train.
Adjustable Blade-to-Hub Lead-Lag Damper Attachment
An aircraft includes a rotor blade and a rotor hub system. The rotor hub system includes a lead-lag damper having a rod end and being operably associated with the rotor blade; a blade adapter having a first arm and an opposing second arm; a pin carried by the blade adapter and configured to secure in position via the first arm and the second arm; and an actuator secured to the pin and configured to adjust the position of the lead-lag rod end relative to the first arm and the second arm.
Adjustable blade-to-hub lead-lag damper attachment
An aircraft includes a rotor blade and a rotor hub system. The rotor hub system includes a lead-lag damper having a rod end and being operably associated with the rotor blade; a blade adapter having a first arm and an opposing second arm; a pin carried by the blade adapter and configured to secure in position via the first arm and the second arm; and an actuator secured to the pin and configured to adjust the position of the lead-lag rod end relative to the first arm and the second arm.
Adjustable blade-to-hub lead-lag damper attachment
An aircraft includes a rotor blade and a rotor hub system. The rotor hub system includes a lead-lag damper having a rod end and being operably associated with the rotor blade; a blade adapter having a first arm and an opposing second arm; a pin carried by the blade adapter and configured to secure in position via the first arm and the second arm; and an actuator secured to the pin and configured to adjust the position of the lead-lag rod end relative to the first arm and the second arm.