B64C13/48

SHORT TAKEOFF AND LANDING VEHICLE WITH FORWARD SWEPT WINGS
20230234704 · 2023-07-27 ·

A vehicle includes a tilt rotor that is aft of a fixed wing and that is attached to the fixed wing via a pylon. A flight computer configured to instruct the tilt rotor to produce a maximum downward angle including by updating an actuator authority database associated with the flight computer to reflect the maximum downward angle, and generating a rotor control signal for the tilt rotor using the updated actuator authority database that reflects the maximum downward angle, wherein the maximum downward angle is adjustable.

SHORT TAKEOFF AND LANDING VEHICLE WITH FORWARD SWEPT WINGS
20230234704 · 2023-07-27 ·

A vehicle includes a tilt rotor that is aft of a fixed wing and that is attached to the fixed wing via a pylon. A flight computer configured to instruct the tilt rotor to produce a maximum downward angle including by updating an actuator authority database associated with the flight computer to reflect the maximum downward angle, and generating a rotor control signal for the tilt rotor using the updated actuator authority database that reflects the maximum downward angle, wherein the maximum downward angle is adjustable.

Redundant drive train for pylon mounted rotors
11634218 · 2023-04-25 · ·

A system includes an inboard tiltrotor subsystem and an outboard tiltrotor subsystem. The inboard tiltrotor subsystem includes an inboard pylon, an inboard tiltrotor, and a single and non-redundant drivetrain. The outboard tiltrotor subsystem includes an outboard pylon that is coupled to a wing and an outboard tiltrotor. The outboard tiltrotor has a range of motion and is coupled to the wing via the outboard pylon, such that the outboard tiltrotor is aft of the wing. The outboard tiltrotor subsystem further includes a redundant drivetrain (which has a plurality of motors and a plurality of motor controllers) that drives one or more blades and the one or more blades.

Redundant drive train for pylon mounted rotors
11634218 · 2023-04-25 · ·

A system includes an inboard tiltrotor subsystem and an outboard tiltrotor subsystem. The inboard tiltrotor subsystem includes an inboard pylon, an inboard tiltrotor, and a single and non-redundant drivetrain. The outboard tiltrotor subsystem includes an outboard pylon that is coupled to a wing and an outboard tiltrotor. The outboard tiltrotor has a range of motion and is coupled to the wing via the outboard pylon, such that the outboard tiltrotor is aft of the wing. The outboard tiltrotor subsystem further includes a redundant drivetrain (which has a plurality of motors and a plurality of motor controllers) that drives one or more blades and the one or more blades.

Hybrid power systems for different modes of flight
11787537 · 2023-10-17 · ·

A hybrid power system includes a first power source that includes an internal combustion engine, a second power source that includes a battery, and a power controller. The hybrid power system is included in a vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) vehicle that flies in a transitional mode between a hovering mode and a forward flight mode. The power controller selects one or more of the first power source and the second power source to power a rotor included in the VTOL vehicle, including by: during a landing, the power controller determines when to have the second power source provide power to the rotor, in order to supplement power provided to the rotor by the first power source, based at least in part on one or more flight state variables associated with a flight computer.

Hybrid power systems for different modes of flight
11787537 · 2023-10-17 · ·

A hybrid power system includes a first power source that includes an internal combustion engine, a second power source that includes a battery, and a power controller. The hybrid power system is included in a vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) vehicle that flies in a transitional mode between a hovering mode and a forward flight mode. The power controller selects one or more of the first power source and the second power source to power a rotor included in the VTOL vehicle, including by: during a landing, the power controller determines when to have the second power source provide power to the rotor, in order to supplement power provided to the rotor by the first power source, based at least in part on one or more flight state variables associated with a flight computer.

HYBRID POWER SYSTEMS FOR DIFFERENT MODES OF FLIGHT
20210339855 · 2021-11-04 ·

A hybrid power system includes a first power source that includes an internal combustion engine, a second power source that includes a battery, and a power controller. The hybrid power system is included in a vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) vehicle that flies in a transitional mode between a hovering mode and a forward flight mode. The power controller selects one or more of the first power source and the second power source to power a rotor included in the VTOL vehicle, including by: during a landing, the power controller determines when to have the second power source provide power to the rotor, in order to supplement power provided to the rotor by the first power source, based at least in part on one or more flight state variables associated with a flight computer.

HYBRID POWER SYSTEMS FOR DIFFERENT MODES OF FLIGHT
20210339855 · 2021-11-04 ·

A hybrid power system includes a first power source that includes an internal combustion engine, a second power source that includes a battery, and a power controller. The hybrid power system is included in a vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) vehicle that flies in a transitional mode between a hovering mode and a forward flight mode. The power controller selects one or more of the first power source and the second power source to power a rotor included in the VTOL vehicle, including by: during a landing, the power controller determines when to have the second power source provide power to the rotor, in order to supplement power provided to the rotor by the first power source, based at least in part on one or more flight state variables associated with a flight computer.

Tilting mechanism with telescoping actuator
11639218 · 2023-05-02 · ·

A tiltrotor has a range of motion between a forward flight position and a hovering position, where a pylon and the tiltrotor are coupled via a telescoping actuator, a rigid bottom bar, and a fixed hinge that is attached between the rigid bottom bar and the tiltrotor. The tiltrotor moves from the forward flight position to the hovering position includes extending the telescoping actuator so that the tilt rotor rotates about the fixed hinge.

Tilting mechanism with telescoping actuator
11639218 · 2023-05-02 · ·

A tiltrotor has a range of motion between a forward flight position and a hovering position, where a pylon and the tiltrotor are coupled via a telescoping actuator, a rigid bottom bar, and a fixed hinge that is attached between the rigid bottom bar and the tiltrotor. The tiltrotor moves from the forward flight position to the hovering position includes extending the telescoping actuator so that the tilt rotor rotates about the fixed hinge.