With Auxiliary Propulsion, Counter-troque Or Steering Device Patents (Class 244/17.19)
  • Patent number: 11912421
    Abstract: The machine, such as an aircraft, is provided with a powertrain which comprises a vaned propulsion system (3), and a thermal drive system (1), including a first thermal engine (1A) and a second thermal engine (1B), which is configured to allow the vaned propulsion system (3) to be driven. The powertrain also includes an electric drive system (2) which allows the vaned propulsion system (3) to be driven, an electrical power supply system (4) including a battery (40) which allows the electric drive system (2) to be supplied with power. A clutch system (10) allows any or each of the thermal engines (1A, 1B) to be engaged in order to drive the vaned propulsion system (3), the clutch system (10) also being configured to allow any or each of the thermal engines (1A, 1B) to be disengaged from the vaned propulsion system (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: VOLTAERO
    Inventors: Jean Botti, Didier Esteyne
  • Patent number: 11866162
    Abstract: An electrically distributed yaw control system for a helicopter having a tailboom and a power system includes one or more tail rotors including a motor rotatably coupled to the tailboom and a power distribution unit. The power distribution unit includes a power management monitoring module configured to monitor one or more flight parameters of the helicopter and a power management command module configured to allocate power between the power system and the one or more tail rotor motors based on the one or more flight parameters of the helicopter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.
    Inventors: Marc Ouellet, Guillaume Biron, Alexis Dugré, Marc Bustamante, Chen Kuang
  • Patent number: 11780575
    Abstract: An anti-torque system (10) for a helicopter (1) is described that comprises: an electric power supply unit (15); at least one first rotor (17), operatively connected to an electric power supply unit (15) and operable by the electric power supply unit (15) so as to rotate with a first variable angular speed; and at least one second rotor (25) operatively connected to electric power supply unit (15) and operable by the electric power supply unit (15) so as to rotate with a second variable angular speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: LEONARDO S.P.A.
    Inventors: Massimo Brunetti, Luigi Maria Bottasso, Chee Su Goh, Gary Weller
  • Patent number: 11771988
    Abstract: In a method and a system for improving a user's experience with a graphical user interface corresponding to a gaming or simulation environment on an electronic device, the interface renders multiple graphical objects and user selectable options corresponding to the graphical object. The user selects one or more selectable option, and performs a touching or a swiping operation through multiple points on the display screen. The touching or swiping operation leads to deploying of multiple resources corresponding to the selected option, at different locations on the interface. For controlling the different deployed resources, the user can swipe through different regions of the display screen. The number of resources deployed at the different locations on the screen depends on certain parameters, including the pressure applied by the user on the screen. Results of the simulation can be employed to control real technical systems, for example for food production.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: Supercell Oy
    Inventors: Timur Haussila, Touko Tahkokallio, Mikko Hokkanen, John Nicholas Derome, Lassi Leppinen
  • Patent number: 11697493
    Abstract: A rotary wing aircraft that extends along an associated roll axis between a nose region and an aft region. The rotary wing aircraft comprises a main rotor; a propeller that is at least configured to propel the rotary wing aircraft in forward flight condition, wherein the propeller forms a circular propeller disc in rotation around an associated rotation axis; and a shrouded duct that is arranged in the aft region and that forms an inner air duct which accommodates at least partly the propeller, wherein the shrouded duct comprises a yaw and pitch stability enhancement unit for improving yaw and pitch stability of the rotary wing aircraft in the forward flight condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2023
    Assignee: AIRBUS HELICOPTERS DEUTSCHLAND GMBH
    Inventors: Rupert Pfaller, Tobias Ries
  • Patent number: 11655021
    Abstract: A rotary wing aircraft that extends along an associated roll axis between a nose region and an aft region and that comprises a fuselage with a front section and a rear section, the rotary wing aircraft comprising: a main rotor that is rotatably mounted at the front section, a shrouded duct that is arranged in the aft region, and a propeller that is rotatably mounted to the shrouded duct, wherein the rear section extends between the front section and the shrouded duct and comprises an asymmetrical cross-sectional profile in direction of the associated roll axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: AIRBUS HELICOPTERS DEUTSCHLAND GMBH
    Inventors: Rupert Pfaller, Tobias Ries
  • Patent number: 11628955
    Abstract: A tethered uni-rotor network of satellite vehicles, is made up of a central hub with multiple tethers radiating outward in a hub-and-spoke arrangement. Each tether attaches to a satellite vehicle; each having lifting airfoil surfaces, stabilizers, control surfaces, fuselages, and propulsion systems. The entire system operates in a persistent state of rotation, driven by the propulsion units on each satellite vehicle, so the airfoils generate lift which supports each satellite vehicle and a distributed portion of the weight of the central hub. As the system rotates, centrifugal forces pull each satellite vehicle outwards, which keeps each tether taught and applies tension across each of the lifting surfaces, thereby alleviating the bending moment common to fixed-wing aircraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Inventor: Justin M Selfridge
  • Patent number: 11623741
    Abstract: A device for monitoring an available thrust margin of an anti-torque member of a rotorcraft as a function of flight conditions, said rotorcraft comprising a power plant driving at least one main rotor participating at least in the lift of said rotorcraft, said anti-torque member participating in the control of the yaw movements of said rotorcraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: AIRBUS HELICOPTERS
    Inventors: Laurent Berger, Guillaume Dumur, Damien Piger, Olivier Delecroix, Didier Delsalle
  • Patent number: 11584522
    Abstract: An exemplary anti-torque system for a rotorcraft includes a fan located inside of a channel that extends inside of a fuselage from an inlet proximate a forward end of the tail boom to an outlet at an aft end of the tail boom, the outlet is oriented to direct airflow from the channel onto a rudder coupled to a trailing edge of a vertical stabilizer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.
    Inventor: Martin Landry
  • Patent number: 11572155
    Abstract: A rotorcraft having pusher propeller generated power during autorotations. The rotorcraft has an engine powered mode and an autorotation mode. The rotorcraft includes an engine and a drivetrain configured to receive torque and rotational energy from the engine in the engine powered mode. A main rotor system is coupled to the drivetrain and is rotatable to generate lift and forward thrust for the rotorcraft in the engine powered mode. A pusher propeller is coupled to the drivetrain and is rotatable to generate forward thrust for the rotorcraft in the engine powered mode. In the autorotation mode, the pusher propeller is aerodynamically driven responsive to airflow therethrough and the drivetrain is configured to receive torque and rotational energy from the pusher propeller, thereby providing power to the main rotor system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.
    Inventor: Aaron Alexander Acee
  • Patent number: 11554860
    Abstract: A compound aircraft includes a convertible thruster that pivots between an anti-torque position, a forward thrust position, and intermediate positions. A pilot has two inceptors to control thruster rotor pitch in the anti-torque and forward thrust positions. A mixer mechanically blends the signals from the two inceptors during transition between the anti-torque and forward thrust positions. A transfer rod coaxial with the pivot axis of the convertible thruster conveys convertible thruster pitch commands from the pilot to a pitch control actuator. The pitch control actuator may be located partially within the rotor of an electric motor that rotates the convertible thruster rotor. The electric motor and pitch control actuator are unitary. Both the electric motor and pitch control actuator pivot with the convertible thruster. The pitch actuator output shaft is coaxial to and disposed within a hollow electric motor output shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2023
    Assignee: Piasecki Aircraft Corporation
    Inventors: Luigi U Ricci Moretti, Frederick W. Piasecki, George L. Firpi, Shane A. Lewis
  • Patent number: 11518504
    Abstract: A fully compounding rotorcraft includes a fuselage having first and second wings extending therefrom and configured to provide lift compounding responsive to forward airspeed. A twin boom includes first and second tail boom members that extend aftward from the first and second wings. An empennage is coupled between the aft ends of the tail boom members. An anti-torque system includes a tail rotor that is rotatably coupled to the empennage. An engine is disposed within the fuselage and is configured to provide torque to a main rotor assembly via an output shaft and a main rotor gearbox. An auxiliary propulsive system is coupled to the fuselage and is configured to generate a propulsive thrust to offload at least a portion of a thrust requirement from the main rotor during forward flight, thereby providing propulsion compounding to increase the forward airspeed of the rotorcraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.
    Inventors: Brent Chadwick Ross, Alan Carl Ewing, Steven Ray Ivans
  • Patent number: 11500395
    Abstract: A node (121-123) of a wireless communications network (120) and an aerial vehicle (110), such as an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV), a drone, an aircraft, or a helicopter, comprising a communications module (111) are provided. The node is operative, in response to detecting that the aerial vehicle enters a pre-defined geographical region (221-227) within a coverage area of the wireless communications network, to transmit a cell broadcast message (126; 201-204) to the aerial vehicle. The aerial vehicle is operative to receive the cell broadcast message from an access node (121) of the wireless communications network, and, in response thereto, correct its flight path (211-214) based on the received cell broadcast message. Preferably, the cell broadcast message comprises at least one, or a combination, of an instruction, a limitation, a restriction, a direction or a change thereof, a bearing or a change thereof, an altitude or a change thereof, an aerial vehicle type, and an aerial vehicle identity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET LM ERICSSON (PUBL)
    Inventor: Kwan To Tam
  • Patent number: 11493165
    Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure relate to automatic monitor position adjustment. An indication that an application is being launched is received. A preferred monitor position for the application is determined by referencing a data store mapping preferred monitor positions to respective metadata attributes, where the preferred monitor position for the application is determined based on the preferred monitor position being mapped to a first metadata attribute associated with the application within the data store. An actuator associated with the monitor is then instructed to adjust the position of the monitor to the preferred monitor position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas D. Fitzsimmons, Ryan Golden, Zachary Freitas, Troy Flagg
  • Patent number: 11365002
    Abstract: A tethered uni-rotor network of multiple tethered satellite vehicles; each having lifting airfoil surfaces, stabilizers, control surfaces, fuselages, and propulsion systems, operating in persistent state of rotation, driven by propulsion units on each satellite vehicle, where airfoils generate lift which supports aerial system. As system rotates, centrifugal forces pull satellite vehicles outwards, which keeps tethers taught. The tethers are attached to inboard portions of each lifting surface, which places their structural members under tension, thereby eliminating an adverse bending moment common to all traditional fixed-wing aircraft. Tethers provide large spatial separation eliminating rotor downwash field interactions, slowing system rotation rate, and permitting an ideal elliptic load distribution across wings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Inventor: Justin M Selfridge
  • Patent number: 11325719
    Abstract: Embodiments are directed to a selectable drive system that allows a rotor gearbox to send torque to a proprotor assembly and/or through a multiplier planetary gear set to a pylon-mounted ducted fan thrust unit. The rotor drive system may be a stop-fold system in which rotor blades can be folded when not rotating. This allows a normally idle lift engine to provide additional aircraft thrust during cruise where an aircraft is typically using only a dedicated thrust engine for high speed flight. An inline engage/disengage actuator or “shift fork” on the rotor gearbox is used to select the torque-output direction. The multiplier planetary gear set increases the output RPM that is received from the rotor gearbox and that is applied to the thrust fan unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Edward Foskey, Colton Gilliland
  • Patent number: 11325701
    Abstract: The present invention provides a propulsion system for an aircraft. The system includes one or more thrust producing portions, wherein the one or more thrust producing portions include one or more duct means. The duct means are at least partially formed or defined by two or more substantially parallel wall members. At least one flapping or waving wing member is provided, at least partially located or positioned substantially within the one or more duct means, wherein the flapping or waving motion of the at least one wing member creates thrust, enabling the aircraft to fly in use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Inventor: James Joseph Rotherham
  • Patent number: 11305867
    Abstract: A hub assembly for a ducted-rotor aircraft includes a plurality of stator supports, a first integral fitting that attaches to first ends of the stator supports, and a second integral fitting that attaches to second ends of the stator supports. The first fitting includes a plurality of motor attachment portions configured to locate and support a motor of the ducted-rotor aircraft, a plurality of fairing mounts configured to support attachment of an aerodynamic fairing to the hub assembly, and a plurality of stator locators configured to locate respective ones of the plurality of stator supports for attachment to the hub assembly. The first fitting has a body portion with an annular wall that supports the motor attachment portions, the fairing mounts, and the stator locators. The first fitting may be fabricated as a monolith that includes the body portion, motor attachment portions, fairing mounts, and stator locators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.
    Inventors: Karl Schroeder, Christopher Marion Johnson, Joseph Richard Carpenter, Jr., David G. Carlson
  • Patent number: 11279478
    Abstract: An aircraft that is convertible between a helicopter mode and an airplane mode. The aircraft includes a fuselage with a longitudinal axis and a vertical axis and distributed propulsion array that surrounds the vertical axis when the aircraft is operating the helicopter mode and surrounds the longitudinal axis when the aircraft is operating in the airplane mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.
    Inventors: Carlos Alexander Fenny, Nicholas Brodeur, Rohn Lee Olson, Kevin Morris
  • Patent number: 11255216
    Abstract: An electric machine (212) comprises a turbomachine rotor (203) having a hub (302) and an axis of rotation (A-A) about which the turbomachine rotor is arranged to rotate. The turbomachine rotor includes a plurality of blades (301). Each blade has a root (303) attached to the hub, a tip (304) remote from the hub, a leading edge (305) and a trailing edge (306), a pressure side and a suction side (307). A stator (502) is located circumferentially around the turbomachine rotor. Each blade further comprises a rotor element at the tip comprising a permanent magnet having a first pole (401) and a second pole (402), the first pole being located adjacent the suction side of the blade and the second pole being located adjacent the pressure side such that a magnetic flux path extends perpendicularly through the blade tip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE PLC
    Inventor: Ellis F H Chong
  • Patent number: 11220329
    Abstract: Systems and methods include providing an aircraft with a ducted rotor assembly. The ducted rotor assembly includes a housing having a duct, a rotor drive mechanism coupled to a rotor system, and a plurality of stators that both structurally support the rotor drive mechanism within the duct of the housing and carry a fluid through internal fluid passages in the plurality of stators to provide cooling to the rotor drive mechanism. Some of the stators carry fluid to the rotor drive mechanism, where the fluid absorbs heat from the rotor drive mechanism, and some of the stators carry fluid away from the rotor drive mechanism. The rotor system generates an airflow over the stators carrying fluid away from the rotor drive mechanism to effect transfer between the fluid and the airflow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2022
    Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.
    Inventors: Aaron Alexander Acee, Andrew Paul Haldeman
  • Patent number: 11203427
    Abstract: A tethered uni-rotor network of satellite vehicles, is a novel aerial system which combines the best features of both fixed-wing and rotorcraft design methodologies, while minimizing their respective deficiencies. It is made up of a central hub with multiple tethers, where each tether arm radiates outward and attaches to a satellite vehicle; each having lifting airfoil surfaces, stabilizers, control surfaces, fuselages, and propulsion systems. The entire system operates in a state of rotation, which is driven by the propulsion units on each satellite. As the system rotates, centrifugal forces pull the satellite vehicles outward, which maintain tension on the tether arms. As the satellite vehicles move through space, the airfoils generate lift which supports each satellite and a distributed portion of the weight of the central hub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2021
    Inventor: Justin Selfridge
  • Patent number: 11192645
    Abstract: A tethered uni-rotor network of satellite vehicles, is a novel aerial system which combines the best features of both fixed-wing and rotorcraft design methodologies, while minimizing their respective deficiencies. It is made up of a central hub with multiple tethers, where each tether arm radiates outward and attaches to a satellite vehicle; each having lifting airfoil surfaces, stabilizers, control surfaces, fuselages, and propulsion systems. The entire system operates in a state of rotation, which is driven by the propulsion units on each satellite. As the system rotates, centrifugal forces pull the satellite vehicles outward, which maintain tension on the tether arms. As the satellite vehicles move through space, the airfoils generate lift which supports each satellite and a distributed portion of the weight of the central hub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Inventor: Justin Selfridge
  • Patent number: 11174012
    Abstract: There is disclosed a rotor for an aircraft capable of hovering, comprising: a stator; a rotatable element, which is rotatable about an axis with respect to stator; a blade, which is connected with element; a support element, which supports a source of a magnetic field and is either stationary or driven in rotation at a first rotational speed; and a first electric circuit, which is angularly integral with element and can be driven in rotation at a second rotational speed different from first rotational speed; first electric circuit being electromagnetically coupled with source so that an electromotive force is magnetically induced in first electric circuit and an first electric current flows in first electric circuit; rotor further comprises a second electric circuit which is either stationary or driven in rotation at a first rotational speed, and a sensor generating a signal associated to a back electromotive force induced on second electric circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignee: LEONARDO S.P.A.
    Inventor: Massimo Brunetti
  • Patent number: 11046417
    Abstract: Systems and methods include providing an aircraft with a vertical stabilizer system having a vertical stabilizer operatively coupled to a tail boom, tail rotor gearbox, or other component of the aircraft at a forward attachment and an aft attachment. The vertical stabilizer is selectively rotatable to adjust an angle of attack of the vertical stabilizer with respect to a forward flight direction of the aircraft. The vertical stabilizer is rotatable between a forward flight position having a substantially small degree angle of attack and a hover or lateral movement position having a substantially ninety degree angle of attack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.
    Inventors: Sebastien Duval, Guillaume Noiseux-Boucher, Aaron Alexander Acee
  • Patent number: 10878714
    Abstract: A pilot training system includes a training terminal integrated with a pilot training seat with a seat pan having six degrees of freedom, wherein the training terminal is configured to exclusively provide and render a simulated flight-training environment and to output control signals to synchronize movement of the seatpan with the simulated environment. The system is transportable so that it can be used to provide flight training at a user-selected and repositionable location. The system also may include an instructor terminal located at an instructor site. The training site and the instructor site can be remotely located. The instructor may provide remote instruction or training to a trainee, for example by sending instruction inputs to the training terminal over the network in order to control aspects of the simulated environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: ACCESS VIRTUAL, LLC
    Inventors: Paul Liberatore, David Urchek
  • Patent number: 10864987
    Abstract: An aircraft that includes torque rotor and a lifting rotor, and generates torque from the torque rotor. The torque rotor may optimize drag production while the lifting rotor may optimize lift production limiting compromise between drag and lift production rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2020
    Assignee: The Aerospace Corporation
    Inventors: Evan Robert Ulrich, Robert Edward Oberto
  • Patent number: 10814971
    Abstract: Systems and methods include providing an aircraft with a tail rotor system having a tail rotor housing that forms a cambered airfoil between an upper cambered surface and a lower cambered surface of the tail rotor housing. The cambered airfoil design of the tail rotor housing is capable of providing sufficient lifting force of an aircraft to offload the tail rotor during forward flight, thereby eliminating the need for a traditional vertical stabilizer or fin. The tail rotor blades of the tail rotor system are disposed within an aperture in the tail rotor housing, which minimizes or preferably eliminates exposure of the tail rotor blades to edgewise airflow typically encountered during forward flight, thereby allowing rigid rotor hubs, both in-plane and out-of-plane, to be used in the tail rotor system while also reducing noise output of the tail rotor system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.
    Inventors: Dalton T. Hampton, Andrew Paul Haldeman, Aaron Alexander Acee, Matthew John Hill
  • Patent number: 10807709
    Abstract: A tethered uni-rotor network of satellite vehicles, is a novel aerial system which combines the best features of both fixed-wing and rotorcraft design methodologies, while minimizing their respective deficiencies. It is made up of a central hub with multiple tethers, where each tether arm radiates outward and attaches to a satellite vehicle; each having lifting airfoil surfaces, stabilizers, control surfaces, fuselages, and propulsion systems. The entire system operates in a state of rotation, which is driven by the propulsion units on each satellite. As the system rotates, centrifugal forces pull the satellite vehicles outward, which maintain tension on the tether arms. As the satellite vehicles move through space, the airfoils generate lift which supports each satellite and a distributed portion of the weight of the central hub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Inventor: Justin Selfridge
  • Patent number: 10800526
    Abstract: An adapter is disclosed for use with an aircraft including wingtip stations defining mounting surfaces. The adapter is configured and dimensioned for connection to the wingtip stations on either wing of the aircraft to facilitate the connection of a weapons rack to the aircraft. The adapter includes a backing plate, and a body connected to the backing plate that is configured and dimensioned to support the weapons rack. The backing plate is configured and dimensioned in correspondence with the mounting surfaces defined by the wingtip stations. The body includes a base extending outwardly from the backing plate along a first axis, and a support member extending outwardly from the base along a second axis. In one particular embodiment of the adapter, the first and second axes define an angle of 45° therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.
    Inventors: Alan Carl Ewing, Antonio Cardenas Munguia
  • Patent number: 10759525
    Abstract: The invention relates to a drive system for a vehicle, comprising at least one asymmetrical rotor (18), which has at least one rotor blade (20) extending radially from a rotor axle, and a counterweight (22) which is opposite the rotor axle, the system further comprising a control device for the electric motor (24), which connects the electric motor (24) to a battery for the power supply thereof, and is configured and designed, during a revolution cycle, which includes 1-3 revolutions of the rigid rotor blade (20), to bring about at least one acceleration phase, in which the electric motor (24) can be accelerated to accelerate the rotor (18), and at least one braking phase, in which the electric motor (24) can be braked, the control device being designed, during at least part of the braking phase, to connect the electric motor (24) to at least one battery element (28) in generator mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Inventor: Dirk Brunner
  • Patent number: 10723440
    Abstract: Sounds are generated by an aerial vehicle during operation. For example, the motors and propellers of an aerial vehicle generate sounds during operation. Systems, methods, and apparatus may actively adjust the position and/or configuration of one or more propeller blades of a propulsion mechanism to generate different sounds and/or lifting forces from the propulsion mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian C. Beckman, John Raymond Brodie, Vedran Coralic, Taylor David Grenier, Gur Kimchi, Dominic Timothy Shiosaki, Ricky Dean Welsh, Richard Philip Whitlock
  • Patent number: 10703471
    Abstract: The present invention includes an a plurality of first variable speed motors arranged in a first matrix pattern and mounted on a tail boom of the helicopter; one or more fixed pitch blades attached to each of the plurality of first variable speed motors; and wherein a speed of one or more of the plurality of first variable speed motors is varied to provide an anti-torque thrust.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: BELL HELICOPTER TEXTRON INC.
    Inventors: Carlos Fenny, Thomas Dewey Parsons, Erik John Oltheten
  • Patent number: 10683087
    Abstract: A shrouded rotor assembly for an aircraft. The shrouded rotor assembly comprises a stator hollow structure comprises formed from a plurality of composite angular segments. Each composite angular segment includes: a core arched section of a central hub casing, a peripheral rim section of an external hollow duct and a pair of angularly opposed sliced portions, respectively for one of a pair of guide vanes. The resulting stator hollow structure is a unitary one-piece, integrating together continuously the composite angular segments. The invention typically applies e.g. to aircrafts such as rotary wing aircrafts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2020
    Assignee: AIRBUS HELICOPTERS DEUTSCHLAND GMBH
    Inventors: Stefan Probst, Marc Nothen, Christian Wehle
  • Patent number: 10640206
    Abstract: A method of optimizing sections of a tail boom for a rotary wing aircraft, and also to a tail boom including such sections. The method comprises the step of creating a database characterizing standard sections for a tail boom that give precedence to minimizing a negative lift and/or to increasing a lateral force generated by the air stream from the main rotor of the aircraft flowing over the tail boom, a step of establishing looked-for aerodynamic and structural characteristics for said tail boom, and a step of defining the sections of the tail boom as a function of the standard sections and of the looked-for aerodynamic and structural characteristics. The tail boom as defined in this way optimizes the reduction in the negative lift and/or the increase in the lateral force generated by the air stream from the main rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Assignee: AIRBUS HELICOPTERS
    Inventors: David Alfano, Guillaume Legras, Debbie Leusink
  • Patent number: 10633086
    Abstract: A rotorcraft comprises a fuselage, a tail boom, a rotor system, and a centrifugal blower system. The centrifugal blower system comprises a centrifugal blower configured to generate thrust using an airflow, wherein the centrifugal blower is located within the tail boom. The centrifugal blower system also comprises a plurality of ducts configured to control the thrust generated by the centrifugal blower, wherein the plurality of ducts is located on a portion of the tail boom surrounding the centrifugal blower, and wherein the plurality of ducts comprises one or more adjustable ducts configured to vary a size of an associated duct opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: BELL HELICOPTER TEXTRON INC.
    Inventors: Matthew R. Carr, Matthew E. Louis, Kirk L. Groninga, Daniel B. Robertson, Frank B. Stamps, Albert G. Brand, Eric A. Sinusas
  • Patent number: 10618642
    Abstract: A power transmission system having at least one inlet speed-reducing gear and a main speed-reducing gear, each inlet speed-reducing gear comprising an inlet pinion meshing with an inlet gearwheel. The inlet gearwheel is constrained to rotate with a main pinion of the main speed-reducing gear, the main pinion meshing with a main gearwheel. At least one inlet gearwheel is secured to reversible connection means in order to be capable of driving a first additional drivetrain connected to an additional rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignee: Airbus Helicopters
    Inventors: Olivier De Meerschman, Olivier Barais
  • Patent number: 10606271
    Abstract: A cooperative system of vehicles is disclosed, each of a first vehicle and a second vehicle having a magnetometer, a filter, a database, a conductive loop, and an AC output generator. The magnetometer is attached to measure a surrounding magnetic field, and the filter to isolate a sensed signal. The AC output generator is connected to the conductive loop to generate a magnetic field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Brian Tillotson, Alyson Bonk
  • Patent number: 10538323
    Abstract: A vertical liftoff aircrafts system includes a plurality of unmanned wing structures configured for collective vertical liftoff; a plurality of tethers respectively connected to the plurality of wing structures; and a fuselage including a connector thereon for mechanically connecting the plurality of tethers. The fuselage includes a power pack for powering the plurality of wing structures via the plurality of tethers, whereby the plurality of wing structures is operatively interconnected to the fuselage with the plurality of tethers for lifting the fuselage. A method and a kit thereof also are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2020
    Inventors: David Rancourt, Etienne Demers Bouchard
  • Patent number: 10513331
    Abstract: A helicopter has a helicopter body with a longitudinal axis and a rotor head which is driven via the rotor drive axis. The helicopter further has at least two rotor blades held via one rotor blade shaft each. In order to permit higher speeds, a rotor bearing axis of the rotor blade shafts is adjustable perpendicular to a direction of extent of the rotor bearing axis in relation to the rotor drive axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2019
    Inventor: Andreas Gräber
  • Patent number: 10465656
    Abstract: A rotor blade of a wind turbine, comprising a first rotor-blade portion and a second rotor-blade portion. In this case, the first and the second rotor-blade portion constitute a total length of the rotor blade and, upon a rotation of the rotor blade, the first rotor-blade portion and the second rotor-blade portion can be moved relative to each other, along a longitudinal axis of the rotor blade, as a result of a centrifugal force acting upon the rotor blade, in such a way that the total length of the rotor blade can be altered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: Wobben Properties GmbH
    Inventor: Alexander Hoffmann
  • Patent number: 10427775
    Abstract: An aircraft with a fuselage that defines at least an interior region and a drive system accommodating region, the drive system accommodating region being arranged inside the fuselage and comprising at least one fire protection zone that is defined by at least one associated firewall arrangement, the at least one fire protection zone accommodating at least one engine within the at least one associated firewall arrangement such that the associated firewall arrangement defines a fire-resistant separation between the at least one engine and the interior region of the fuselage, wherein the at least one associated firewall arrangement comprises at least one air duct for ducting a hot air flow that is generated in operation of the aircraft independent from heat generation of the at least one engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: AIRBUS HELICOPTERS DEUTSCHLAND GMBH
    Inventors: Sebastian Mores, Frank Loeser, Johannes Frese, Ralf Braeutigam, Christian Wehle
  • Patent number: 10407163
    Abstract: An aircraft control system includes a propeller shaft assembly. Also included is first rotor operatively coupled to the propeller shaft assembly, the first rotor having a first plurality of blades mounted thereto, the first blades disposed at a substantially identical nominal pitch during rotation of the first rotor, the first rotor rotatable in a first direction. Further included is a second rotor operatively coupled to the propeller shaft assembly and rotatable in a second direction, the second rotor having a second plurality of blades mounted thereto, wherein a pitch of the second blades cyclically changes during rotation of the second rotor, the first rotor and the second rotor disposed and rotated proximate a fixed wing of an aircraft about a common axis extending parallel to a longitudinal axis of the aircraft, cyclically changing the pitch of the second plurality of blades generating a moment for controlling the aircraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: HAMILTON SUNDSTRAND CORPORATION
    Inventors: Chad M. Henze, Robert H. Perkinson
  • Patent number: 10407166
    Abstract: A rotor system of an aircraft includes a rotor hub rotatable about an axis of rotation, and a power generation system. The power generation system includes a generator stator and a generator rotor. The generator rotor is coupled to the rotor hub. At least one induction type magnet is mounted to at least one of the generator stator and the generator rotor. A control unit is operably coupled to the at least one induction type magnet to selectively deliver power to the at least one induction type magnet to alter a torque of the rotor hub without decreasing a rotational speed of the rotor hub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: SIKORSKY AIRCRAFT CORPORATION
    Inventor: Timothy F. Lauder
  • Patent number: 10377479
    Abstract: The present invention includes an anti-torque assembly for a helicopter comprising a plurality of fixed blade pitch motors mounted on one or more pivots on the tail boom of the helicopter, wherein the plurality of fixed blade pitch motors on the one or more pivots are adapted to be oriented substantially in-plane with a tail boom of a helicopter during a first mode of operation that comprises a hover mode and wherein the fixed blade pitch motors are adapted to be oriented substantially off-plane from the tail boom of the helicopter during a second mode of helicopter operation that is different from the first mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: BELL HELICOPTER TEXTRON INC.
    Inventors: Thomas Dewey Parsons, Carlos Alexander Fenny, Erik John Oltheten
  • Patent number: 10329015
    Abstract: Generally, an inventive aircraft (1) having at least a first lift body (2) and a second lift body (3) each controllably configurable to correspondingly generate an amount of lift (4) sufficient to remain aloft at a first elevation (5) and a second elevation (6) a sufficient distance apart (7) to subject the first lift body (2) and the second lift body (3) to sufficiently disparate fluid flow characteristics (8) to propel the aircraft (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Inventor: Henry C. DeBey
  • Patent number: 10308357
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus to control pitch and twist of blades are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a twist input assembly driven by a drive shaft that drives a rotation of blades of a rotorcraft, the twist input assembly comprising a twist shaft, a first gear set driven by the drive shaft, and a first frequency controller to create a first rotational speed difference between a first gear of the first gear set and the drive shaft, the first rotational speed difference to cause the twist shaft to oscillate. The examples apparatus includes a pitch input assembly driven by the drive shaft, the pitch input assembly comprising a pitch link in communication with a first one of the blades of the rotorcraft, a second gear set driven by the drive shaft, and a second frequency controller to create a second rotational speed difference between a second gear of the second gear set and the drive shaft, the second rotational speed difference to cause the pitch link to oscillate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Ian M. Gunter, Thomas R. Kenow, Chris Jorgens
  • Patent number: 10301011
    Abstract: An electrified propulsion system for a rotary wing aircraft includes a flight control computer that receives a signal indicative of a power demand on an engine; an engine control system that is in communication with the engine and is configured to control operation of the engine at a selected operating point; a generator that is in mechanical communication with the engine and is configured to receive mechanical power from the engine and convert the mechanical power to electrical power; an electric motor that is in electrical communication with the generator and is configured to receive the electric power; and a rotor that is in mechanical communication with the electric motor; wherein the electric motor is configured to control rotation and provide the mechanical power demand of the rotor at the selected operating point in response to the received signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignee: SIKORSKY AIRCRAFT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Michael Peter Strauss, Mark Denton Bystry, Jr., Michael Joseph DeVita
  • Patent number: 10293927
    Abstract: While an aircraft is mid-flight, a braking start point associated with a stoppable rotor is calculated where the stoppable rotor includes a first and second blade and the stoppable rotor is configured to rotate about a substantially vertical axis. A process to stop the stoppable rotor is started, while the aircraft is mid-flight, when the stoppable rotor reaches the braking start point, where the stoppable rotor is stopped with the first blade pointing forward and the second blade pointing backward.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: Kitty Hawk Corporation
    Inventors: Gregory Mainland Horn, Damon Vander Lind
  • Patent number: 10279899
    Abstract: A strake may extend along a portion of an approaching side of a tail boom of a helicopter. A number of vortex generators (VGs) may extend along a portion of a retreating side of the tail boom. For tail booms with circular cross sections, the strake and the VGs are positioned between approximately 5 and 15 degrees below a horizontal plane of the tail boom when viewed end on, on respective sides of the tail boom. For tail booms with non-circular cross sections, the strake and the VGs is positioned between approximately 5 and 15 degrees above a location where a change in curvature is greatest (e.g., where flow separation would otherwise occur) on a bottom half of the tail boom when viewed end on, on respective sides of the tail boom. A fairing may be located on the retreating side on the upper half of the tail boom, to create an asymmetric profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: BLR AEROSPACE L.L.C.
    Inventors: Michael Carpenter, Daniel A. Smith