Patent classifications
B64C2027/004
Vibration attenuator
A vibration attenuator for a rotor of an aircraft has a housing adapted for rotation with the rotor about an axis. A first ring is rotatably carried within the housing on a first bearing, a first weight being coupled to the first ring for rotation therewith relative to the housing about the axis. A second ring is rotatably carried by the first ring on a second bearing, a second weight being coupled to the second ring for rotation therewith relative to the housing and to the first ring. A first motor is configured for rotating the first ring relative to the housing, and a second motor is configured for rotating the second ring relative to the housing and to the first ring. The first and second motors are operated to rotate the weights within the housing and position the weights relative to each other for attenuating vibrations.
Systems and methods for drive control of a magnetically levitated rotor
Systems and methods relate to a vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) platform that can include a stator and a rotor magnetically levitated by the stator. The rotor and stator can be annular, such that the rotor rotates about a rotational axis. The stator can include magnets that provide guidance, levitation, and drive forces to drive the rotor, as well as to control operation of rotor blades of the rotor that can be independently rotated to specific pitch angles to control at least one of lift, pitch, roll, or yaw of the VTOL platform. Various controllers can be used to enable independent and redundant control of components of the VTOL platform.
System for reducing vibrations or stresses in a rotor blade system
In one aspect, the present disclosure provides a system for reducing vibrations or stresses in a rotor blade system. The system may include at least three rotor blades configured to be rotated about a main rotor axis, where each of the three rotor blades may be adjusted by at least one electrically-adjustable control rod of a plurality of control rods. The plurality of control rods may include a first number of control rods forming a first group, and the plurality of control rods may include a second number of control rods forming a second group. A first circuit for may activate or deactivate the first group of control rods, and a second circuit may activate or deactivate the second group of control rods.
System and method for frequency domain rotor mode decomposition
A for providing control input adjustment for an aircraft, including one or more mode sensors disposed on an aircraft, a mode analysis system, the mode analysis system operable to receive mode sensor data from the one or more mode sensors, and operable to decompose the mode sensor data into decomposed mode data associated with fundamental modes of structural elements of the aircraft associated with the one or more mode sensors, and a flight control computer (FCC) disposed on the aircraft and connected to one or more actuators, the FCC operable to provide a control signal to the one or more actuators according to an association between the decomposed mode data and one or more rotorcraft parameters associated with the one or more actuators.
TAIL-ROTOR VIBRATION DAMPENER SYSTEM
A tail-rotor vibration dampener system for an aircraft is provided. The system includes a fuselage and an open rotor assembly including a powerplant and a set of rotor blades. The system further includes at least one actuator unit connecting the open rotor assembly to the fuselage. The actuator unit includes a hydraulic actuator controlling a position of the open rotor assembly in relation to the fuselage and a dampening device operable to cancel a vibration emanating from the open rotor assembly. The system further includes a computerized vibration dampening controller, including programming to determine a frequency of the vibration emanating from the open rotor assembly and control the dampening device to cancel the vibration emanating from the open rotor assembly based upon the frequency.
Vibration control system for compound helicopter
Provided is a vibration control system for a compound helicopter with a rotor and a fixed wing. The fixed wing includes a movable flap that is mounted on a rear edge of the fixed wing. The vibration control system periodically moves the movable flap so as to periodically change lift of the fixed wing such that vibration aerodynamically generated by the fixed wing is in anti-phase with vibration caused by rotation of the rotor.
Oscillatory pumping system for liquid vibration isolator
In some examples, an oscillatory pumping system comprises: one or more active piston, a fluid, and two motors. The one or more active piston is disposed in a channel fluidically coupling two fluid chambers. The passive piston has a frequency response operable to counteract a vibratory displacement. The fluid is disposed in the channel and the two fluid chambers. The two motors couple to the one or more active piston. The two motors are operable to selectively change the frequency response of the passive piston based on oscillating the one or more active piston.
Method and system for regulation of speed and position of a rotor in wing-borne flight
A rotor-regulation system includes a rotor comprising a plurality of blades, a mechanically driven hydraulic pump, a rotor drive shaft operable to drive the rotor and the mechanically driven hydraulic pump, and a throttling valve coupled to the mechanically driven hydraulic pump and operable to modulate rotation of the rotor.
METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR REGULATION OF SPEED AND POSITION OF A ROTOR IN WING-BORNE FLIGHT
A rotor-regulation system includes a rotor that includes a plurality of rotor blades, a rotor mast operable to drive the rotor, and a rotor disc-brake system operable to modulate rotation of the rotor mast.
SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR IMPROVED ROTOR ASSEMBLY FOR USE WITH A STATOR
Systems and methods relate to a vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) platform that can include a stator and a rotor magnetically levitated by the stator. The rotor and stator can be annular, such that the rotor rotates about a rotational axis. The stator can include magnets that provide guidance, levitation, and drive forces to drive the rotor, as well as to control operation of rotor blades of the rotor that can be independently rotated to specific pitch angles to control at least one of lift, pitch, roll, or yaw of the VTOL platform. Various controllers can be used to enable independent and redundant control of components of the VTOL platform.