B64D31/10

System and method for operating a multi-engine aircraft

The present disclosure provides methods and systems for operating a rotorcraft comprising a plurality of engines configured to provide motive power to the rotorcraft and at least one rotor coupled to the plurality of engines. Failure of an active engine of the rotorcraft is detected when the rotorcraft is operated in an asymmetric operating regime (AOR), in which at least one first engine of the plurality of engines is the active engine and is operated in an active mode to provide motive power to the rotorcraft and at least one second engine of the plurality of engines is a standby engine and is operated in a standby mode to provide substantially no motive power to the rotorcraft. At least one flight control input is adjusted to compensate for a reduction in rotational speed of the at least one rotor resulting from the failure of the active engine. An increase in a power output of the standby engine of the rotorcraft is commanded.

Dual hybrid propulsion system for an aircraft having a cross-connecting clutch
11286054 · 2022-03-29 · ·

A propulsion system for an aircraft is disclosed, and includes a first propeller, a second propeller, a first hybrid propulsion system, a second hybrid propulsion system, and a cross-connecting clutch. The first hybrid propulsion system includes a first motor coupled to a first engine by a first overrunning clutch, where the first hybrid propulsion system is operably coupled to drive the first propeller. The second hybrid propulsion system includes a second motor coupled to a second engine by a second overrunning clutch, where the second hybrid propulsion system is operably coupled to drive the second propeller. The cross-connecting clutch is operably coupled to both the first hybrid propulsion system and the second hybrid propulsion system and configured to actuate into an engaged position.

Dual hybrid propulsion system for an aircraft having a cross-connecting clutch
11286054 · 2022-03-29 · ·

A propulsion system for an aircraft is disclosed, and includes a first propeller, a second propeller, a first hybrid propulsion system, a second hybrid propulsion system, and a cross-connecting clutch. The first hybrid propulsion system includes a first motor coupled to a first engine by a first overrunning clutch, where the first hybrid propulsion system is operably coupled to drive the first propeller. The second hybrid propulsion system includes a second motor coupled to a second engine by a second overrunning clutch, where the second hybrid propulsion system is operably coupled to drive the second propeller. The cross-connecting clutch is operably coupled to both the first hybrid propulsion system and the second hybrid propulsion system and configured to actuate into an engaged position.

Methods and systems for orienting a thrust propulsor in response to a failure event of a vertical take-off and landing aircraft

Aspects relate to systems and methods for orienting a thrust propulsor in response to a failure event of a vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircraft. An exemplary system includes a plurality of lift propulsors mechanically connected to a VTOL aircraft, wherein each of the plurality of lift propulsors are configured to produce lift, a plurality of sensors, wherein at least a sensor is configured to detect a failure of at least a lift propulsor, and transmit a failure datum, a thrust propulsor mechanically attached to the VTOL aircraft with an orientable joint, wherein the thrust propulsor is configured to produce thrust and orient the thrust propulsor as a function of a thrust orientation datum, and a flight controller configured to receive the failure datum, generate a thrust orientation datum as a function of the failure datum, and transmit the thrust orientation datum to the orientable joint.

Methods and systems for orienting a thrust propulsor in response to a failure event of a vertical take-off and landing aircraft

Aspects relate to systems and methods for orienting a thrust propulsor in response to a failure event of a vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircraft. An exemplary system includes a plurality of lift propulsors mechanically connected to a VTOL aircraft, wherein each of the plurality of lift propulsors are configured to produce lift, a plurality of sensors, wherein at least a sensor is configured to detect a failure of at least a lift propulsor, and transmit a failure datum, a thrust propulsor mechanically attached to the VTOL aircraft with an orientable joint, wherein the thrust propulsor is configured to produce thrust and orient the thrust propulsor as a function of a thrust orientation datum, and a flight controller configured to receive the failure datum, generate a thrust orientation datum as a function of the failure datum, and transmit the thrust orientation datum to the orientable joint.

Aerial vehicle having non-standard priority control and blank-to-yaw control architecture
11835968 · 2023-12-05 · ·

Disclosed implementations describe systems and methods for stabilizing vertical takeoff and landing (“VTOL”) or hover flight of a degraded canted-hex aerial vehicle so that the degraded canted-hex aerial vehicle can safely navigate to a landing area. For example, upon detection of a motor-out event, the disclosed implementations may cause an opposing propulsion mechanism of the aerial vehicle to terminate operation, the prioritization of the flight controller to change, and for a feedback loop of the flight controller to provide a preferred thrust to counteract yaw torques acting on the canted-hex aerial vehicle.

Aerial vehicle having non-standard priority control and blank-to-yaw control architecture
11835968 · 2023-12-05 · ·

Disclosed implementations describe systems and methods for stabilizing vertical takeoff and landing (“VTOL”) or hover flight of a degraded canted-hex aerial vehicle so that the degraded canted-hex aerial vehicle can safely navigate to a landing area. For example, upon detection of a motor-out event, the disclosed implementations may cause an opposing propulsion mechanism of the aerial vehicle to terminate operation, the prioritization of the flight controller to change, and for a feedback loop of the flight controller to provide a preferred thrust to counteract yaw torques acting on the canted-hex aerial vehicle.

ROTARY WING AIRCRAFT PROVIDED WITH A TRANSMISSION SYSTEM COMPRISING AN EMERGENCY ELECTRIC MOTOR

The present invention relates to an aircraft provided with a rotary airfoil, a power plant and an assistance system having an electric motor. The power plant comprises a power transmission box and at least one heat engine. The aircraft includes at least one accessory which is set in motion by a secondary output shaft of the power transmission box. The assistance system is provided with a mechanical connection module having a connection shaft which is connected to the secondary output shaft. A first connection member is connected to said at least one accessory and is connected by a first mechanical link internal to the connection shaft, a second connection member being connected to the electric motor and connected by a second mechanical link internal to the connection shaft.

ROTARY WING AIRCRAFT PROVIDED WITH A TRANSMISSION SYSTEM COMPRISING AN EMERGENCY ELECTRIC MOTOR

The present invention relates to an aircraft provided with a rotary airfoil, a power plant and an assistance system having an electric motor. The power plant comprises a power transmission box and at least one heat engine. The aircraft includes at least one accessory which is set in motion by a secondary output shaft of the power transmission box. The assistance system is provided with a mechanical connection module having a connection shaft which is connected to the secondary output shaft. A first connection member is connected to said at least one accessory and is connected by a first mechanical link internal to the connection shaft, a second connection member being connected to the electric motor and connected by a second mechanical link internal to the connection shaft.

Aircraft for self-neutralizing flight
11840351 · 2023-12-12 · ·

An aircraft for self-neutralizing flight comprising a fuselage, at least a power source, a plurality of laterally extending elements attached to the fuselage, a plurality of downward directed propulsors attached to the plurality of laterally extending elements and electrically connected to at least a power source, wherein the plurality of downward directed propulsors have a rotational axis offset from a vertical axis by a yaw-torque-cancellation angle.