Abstract: A structure (10) for aircrafts, includes a part (20) including a metal leading edge (30), the leading edge (30) being covered by a coating (40) having a thickness which is less than or equal to ten micrometers and having a hardness higher than six hundred in the Vickers hardness test (HV). According to a mode of embodiment, the coating (40) is a multilayer stainless steel coating consisting of a superposition of layers with a low nitrogen gradient and layers with a high nitrogen gradient, the layers having a thickness essentially equal to a micrometer. An aircraft including such a structure is also described.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for monitoring the integrity and soundness of a mechanical structure, such as an aircraft. The device comprises a control unit, a radio frequency transmission means, and an electric battery. The control unit recovers data from a set of digital and/or analog sensors. The radio frequency transmission means enables the control unit to transmit the data received from the sensors to a man/machine interface. The electric battery powers the device and is rechargeable. The device further comprises a module for recovering electromagnetic energy capable of converting the recovered electromagnetic energy into electric power so as to recharge the battery and/or directly power the device.

Abstract: An aircraft (1) having a rotary wing (2) and turboshaft engines (11, 12, 13) for driving said rotary wing (2). The aircraft then includes two main engines (11, 12) that are identical, each capable of operating at at least one specific rating associated with a main power (maxTOP, OEIcont), and a secondary engine (13) capable of operating at at least one specific rating by delivering secondary power (maxTOP?, OEIcont?) proportional to the corresponding main power (maxTOP, OEIcont) in application of a coefficient of proportionality (k) less than or equal to 0.5, said aircraft having a control system (20) for driving the rotary wing by causing each main engine (11, 12) to operate continuously throughout a flight, and by using the secondary engine (13) as a supplement during at least one predetermined specific stage of flight.

Abstract: A reversible electrical machine (1) comprising: a first electrical device (10) having a first stator (11) and a first rotor (12); a second electrical device (20) including a second rotor (22) and a second stator (21) together with an outlet shaft (50) and first disengageable coupling means (30) enabling said first and second rotors (12, 22) to be associated and dissociated in rotation. Said reversible electrical machine (1) also includes second disengageable coupling means (40) that are disengageable under a predetermined force and that mechanically connect said second rotor (22) to said outlet shaft (50). Said first electrical device (10) is a motor for transmitting high mechanical power to said outlet shaft (50), while said second electrical device (20) is a motor-generator for operating in motor mode to transmit additional mechanical power to said outlet shaft (50), and in generator mode for receiving mechanical power from said outlet shaft (50).

Abstract: A method of automatically triggering an emergency buoyancy system (10) for a hybrid helicopter (20) having a fuselage (21), two half-wings (23, 23?), and two propulsive propellers (24, 24?). During the method, said emergency buoyancy system (10) is primed, and then if a risk of said hybrid helicopter (20) ditching is detected, two retractable wing undercarriages (28, 28?) are deployed, each wing undercarriage (28, 28?) being fastened under a respective half-wing (23, 23?) and being provided with at least one immersion sensor (16). Finally, if the beginning of said hybrid helicopter (20) ditching is detected, at least one main inflatable bag (11, 11?) 7B suitable for being arranged under such fuselage (21) and at least one secondary inflatable bag (12, 12?) suitable for being arranged under each half-wing (23, 23?) are inflated so as to ensure that said hybrid helicopter (20) floats in stable manner.

Abstract: Obstacle and terrain warning radar system (1) for a rotorcraft (2), the system having at least two assemblies (10), each having at least one radar unit, said rotorcraft (2) including at least one main rotor (20) having at least two blades (22) and a rotor head (23). Each radar unit transmits a centrifugal radar beam (17) with angular beam width in azimuth ? of at least 5° and beam width in elevation ? of at least 5°. Said assemblies (10) of at least one radar unit are positioned directly on said rotor head (23) between said blades (22), said radar system (1) electronically scanning the surroundings with angular coverage in elevation of at least +/?15° and mechanically scanning the surroundings with angular coverage in azimuth of 360°, and then informing the pilot of said rotorcraft (2).

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of driving a main rotor (2) of a rotorcraft (1) in rotation. A regulation setpoint (C) for a power plant (3) used for driving the main rotor (2) at a variable speed of rotation is generated by a control unit (4) and is transmitted to a regulator unit (5) for regulating the operation of the power plant (3). The value of an initial setpoint (NRini) is generated progressively and continuously depending on variation in the current value of the density (D) of the ambient air outside the rotorcraft (1). The value of the initial setpoint (NRini) is potentially corrected depending on predefined flight conditions of the rotorcraft (1). Prior to being transmitted to the regulator unit (5), the value of the regulation setpoint (C) is preferably limited to a range of acceptable speeds for driving the main rotor (2) in rotation.

Abstract: A method of driving a rotorcraft rotor (1, 2) at variable controlled speeds. Starting from a required speed (Nr), a setpoint for total power (Pt) is calculated while taking account of an anticipated power (Pf) to be delivered by the power plant (3) for driving the main rotor (1) at the required speed (Nr), and while taking account of a power surplus (S) relating to progressive power needs to be delivered from a current power (Pc) for driving the main rotor (1) at a current speed (V) of rotation to an anticipated power (Pf) for driving the main rotor (1) at the required speed (Nr). By way of example, account may be taken at least of the acceleration or conversely of the deceleration of the main rotor (1) between the current speed (V) and the required speed (Nr), or indeed account may be taken of the flight circumstance of the rotorcraft determining the calculated required speed (Nr).

Abstract: A method of optimizing the performance of a rotary wing aircraft having at least one turbine engine with a gas generator and a turbine assembly comprising at least one turbine. In a definition step (STP1), first and second performance levels are defined for the aircraft. During a health check step (STP2), a first power margin is determined as a function of a speed of rotation of said gas generator and a second power margin is determined as a function of a temperature in said turbine assembly. During an evaluation step (STP3), each power margin is compared with a first threshold in order to determine whether a target performance level is equal to the first performance level or to the second performance level. During a display step (STP4), the target performance level is displayed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an electric machine (1) that includes a stator (10) and a rotor (20), with the said stator (10) being equipped with at least one annular exciter unit (11) that includes a coil (12) and at least two annular yokes (13a, 13b), with the said rotor being equipped with a structure (21) and at least one annular receiver unit (22). Each receiver unit (22) includes at least two rows (24) of magnets (23). Two sides (131, 132) of each yoke (13) include teeth (14) distributed angularly in a regular manner, and the said teeth (14) of the two adjacent yokes (13) fit onto a face (121) of the said exciter unit (11), alternately forming north poles and south poles.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an electric machine (1) consisting of a stator (10) that is provided with at least one exciter unit (11) consisting of a coil (12), at least two annular yokes (13a,13b) and at least one row of intermediate pieces (15), and a rotor (20) having a structure (21) and at least one receiver unit (22) consisting of at least two series (25) of at least two rows (24) of magnets (23). Two sides (131,132) of each yoke (13) consist of the first teeth (14), fitting with the said intermediate pieces (15) on a face (121) of the said exciter unit (11) and alternatingly forming the second north poles and the second south poles. Each series (23) is positioned opposite one face (121), forming an air gap (30) with the said exciter unit (11), with the electric machine (1) thus including at least two air gaps (30), with a flux F thus circulating inside the said electric machine (1), dividing and regrouping itself in the vicinity of the said magnets (23) and of the said yokes (13).

Abstract: A multi-layered transparency (2.1, 2.2) for an aircraft cockpit, particularly a multi-layered window for a helicopter cockpit (1), comprising: one core layer (6) made of a polymer of either PC or mcPA and at least one foil extruded, adhesive interlayer film (3.1, 3.2, 3.3) unilaterally bonded to said at least one core layer (6). At least one outer top layer (5.1, 5.2) made of mcPA, preferably containing additives, is unilaterally attached to said at least one foil extruded adhesive interlayer film (3.1, 3.2, 3.3) distal to said at least one core layer (6) and a scratch resistant outer top coating (4.1, 4.2) is provided unilaterally to said at least one outer top layer (5.1, 5.2) distal to said at least one foil extruded adhesive interlayer film (3.1, 3.2, 3.3). The invention is as well related to a method of producing such a multi-layered transparency.

Abstract: A grid type element (1) of fiber composite structure, comprising a plurality of open polygonal cells (5) made of at least three core segments (16), said open polygonal cells (5) being stringed together alongside said ribs (16) to form a grid structure, and an essentially planar skin sheet (4), said essentially planar skin sheet (4) being attached unilaterally to the grid structure. A multipartite core (6) is provided, said core segments (6a, 6b, 6c) with respectively rectangular cross sections being formed of said multipartite core (6). Said at least three core segments (6a, 6b, 6c) are pivotable interconnected with at least two reduced cross sections (9) between two of said at least three core segments (6a, 6b, 6c) and at least one fiber composite layer (8, 7) is provided with said multipartite core (6), said at least one fiber composite layer (8, 7) sheathing at least partly said multipartite core (6). The invention is as well related to a method of manufacturing such grid type elements.

Abstract: The invention is related to a grid type fiber composite structure (1) comprising a grid of polygon cell modules (5) comprising at least three substantially u-shaped ribs made of fiber composite layer (8, 13) and a foam core (9) provided inside each cell module (5) for support of said u-shaped ribs. Said foam core (9) is along a base essentially in line with one of said flat cap sections (11, 12). At least one layer of strip (2, 3) is provided outside said flat cap sections (11, 12) and a skin sheet (4) is unilaterally attached to said cell modules (5) essentially in line with one of said flat cap sections (11, 12). The invention is as well related to a method of manufacturing such a grid type fiber composite structure (1).

Abstract: An air inlet (10) for an engine (20) of an aircraft (50), the air inlet (10) having a duct (2) feeding outside air to said engine (20) together with a filter system combining at least one filter (3) and at least one bypass device (4). Said filter (3) and said bypass device (4) are fastened on a common support (1) situated at one end of said duct (2) and on a flank of a fuselage (51) of said aircraft (50). Said bypass device (4) comprises a cover (5) and an actuator (6) controlling opening of said cover (5). Thus, when said filter (3) no longer allows outside air to pass therethrough, said cover (5) is opened, and outside air passes via the bypass device (4) in order to feed said engine (20) with outside air.

Abstract: A Vertical Take-off and Landing (VTOL) aerial vehicle (1, 46), e.g. a rotorcraft with long range and high cruising speed capability. The aerial vehicle (1, 46) has a torus-type fuselage (2) with radial inside a duct (5) and at least one main rotor (13, 26). A pair of lateral wings (40) are attached opposed to each other outside the fuselage (2) and at least one engine (18) drives said at least one main rotor (13, 26) and at least two propulsion means (24) fitted to each of said wings (40). The invention relates as well to a method of operating such a VTOL aerial vehicle (1, 46).

Abstract: A tank (10) having a casing (20) with a bottom (21) together with a side wall (23) and a top wall 22. The tank (10) has at least one sloping wall (30) for providing at least one slope (30) for directing said fuel towards a predetermined zone (100) of the tank (10) by gravity, said sloping wall (30) subdividing the inside volume of the tank into a main volume (V1) and an under-slope volume (V2) both of which are to receive fuel. Said tank (10) is provided with a fuel transfer system (40) for transferring fuel from the under-slope volume (V2) to the main volume (V1), and from the main volume (V1) to the under-slope volume (V2).

Abstract: A buoyancy system (10) for an aircraft (1), said buoyancy system (10) comprises an inflatable float (15) and a cover (20). Said buoyancy system (10) includes at least one extensible connection means (25) fastened to the cover (20) to connect the cover (20) to a compartment (3) of an aircraft (1), while enabling the cover (20) to be retained and to be moved transversely during inflation of the float (15).

Abstract: An aircraft (1) having a rotary wing (2) and at least one main gearbox (5) for driving rotation of said rotary wing (2), said aircraft (1) having a first main engine (11) and a second main engine (12) driving said main gearbox (5), said aircraft (1) being provided with a main regulation system (15) regulating the first main engine (11) and the second main engine (12) in application of a setpoint that is variable. A secondary engine (21) is also capable of driving said main gearbox (5), said aircraft (1) having a secondary regulation system (25) that regulates the secondary engine (21) in application of a setpoint that is constant and that is independent of said main regulation system (15).

Abstract: A fuel storage device (10) having at least one tank (15), the tank (15) having a casing (20) extending upwards from a bottom (21) to a top wall (22). The storage device (10) is provided with at least one inflatable bag (25) arranged inside said casing, said device including inflation/deflation means (35) for inflating each inflatable bag (25) at least in part so as to reach an inflated volume prior to filling the tank, and for deflating said inflatable bag after filling in order to guarantee the presence of an expansion volume inside said tank.