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US 10,370,098 B1Granted
Adjustable propeller blade with sound flaps
AssigneeAmazon Technologies, Inc.
InventorsBrian C. Beckman, Gur Kimchi
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Sounds are generated by an aerial vehicle during operation. For example, the motors and propellers of an aerial vehicle generate sounds during operation. Disclosed is an adjustable propeller that may alter shapes during operation or rotation of the propeller such that the sound generated by the rotation of the propeller changes. The propeller may include multiple sections and joints that allow movement of the sections in any direction. Likewise, the propeller may include one or more sound flaps that may be opened or closed to further alter the sound generated as the propeller rotates.
Claims23
An apparatus, comprising:
- a hub that that may be coupled to a motor to facilitate rotation of a propeller;
- a propeller blade of the propeller extending from the hub, the propeller blade including:
- a first section having a first end and a second end, the first end coupled to the hub;
- a joint coupled to the second end of the first section;
- a second section having a first end and a second end, the first end of the second section coupled to the joint and the second end of the second section extending away from the joint, wherein the second section of the propeller blade is adjustable between a first position with respect to the first section of the propeller blade and a second position with respect to the first section of the propeller blade;
- and a propeller adjustment controller operable to control the joint, wherein the propeller adjustment controller is configured to at least:
- determine a lifting force to be produced by the propeller;
- determine a sound to be produced by the propeller;
- and cause the joint to adjust the second section of the propeller blade from the first position to the second position such that the propeller will produce the sound when rotating at to produce the lifting force.
6 more elements
A propeller, comprising:
- a hub;
- a propeller blade extending from the hub, the propeller blade including:
- a first section coupled to the hub and extending from the hub;
- a first joint coupled to first section of the propeller blade that is adjustable in at least one of a horizontal direction, a vertical direction, or a rotational direction;
- a second section of the propeller blade extending from the first joint;
- and a propeller adjustment controller coupled to the first joint and configured to adjust the second section of the propeller blade from a first position with respect to the first section of the propeller blade to a second position with respect to the first section of the propeller blade, wherein:
- the propeller adjustment controller includes at least one of a counterweight, a spring, or a cable and causes the first joint to adjust the second section of the propeller blade from the first position to the second position based at least in part on a rotational speed of the propeller blade;
- and the propeller blade generates a first sound when rotating when the second section of the propeller blade is in the first position and generates a second sound when rotating when the second section of the propeller blade is in the second position.
5 more elements
A propeller, comprising:
- a propeller blade;
- and
- a plurality of sound flaps movably coupled to the propeller blade such that a sound generated by a rotation of the propeller blade is altered as each of the plurality of sound flaps move between an open position or a closed position;
- wherein:
- when a first sound flap of the plurality of sound flaps is in an open position and a second sound flap of the plurality of sound flaps is in a closed position the propeller, when rotating, generates a first sound;
- when the first sound flap of the plurality of sound flaps is in the closed position and the second sound flap of the plurality of sound flaps is in the open position the propeller, when rotating, generates a second sound that is distinct from the first sound;
- and
- when the first sound flap of the plurality of sound flaps is in the open position and the second sound flap of the plurality of sound flaps is in the open position the propeller, when rotating, generates a third sound that is distinct from the first sound and the second sound.
5 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.