Magnetic orientation detent with motor assist
AssigneeLockheed Martin Corporation
InventorsDustin Eli Gamble, Gordon Jennings, Justin Neel
Life of this patent
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Abstract
In one embodiment, a magnetic orientation detent includes a motor coupled to a motor shaft, the motor mechanically coupled to a motor mount. The magnetic orientation detent may also include a flywheel mechanically coupled to a distal end of the motor shaft. The magnetic orientation detent may further include a first plurality of magnets coupled to the motor mount and a second plurality of magnets coupled to the flywheel. The second plurality of magnets couple magnetically to the first plurality of magnets.
Claims17
A aircraft, comprising:
- a fixed-wing propulsion system;
- a multirotor propulsion system, the multirotor propulsion system comprising:
- a propeller coupled to a first distal end of a motor shaft, the motor shaft drivable using a motor;
- a motor mount mechanically coupled to the motor, the motor mount coupling the motor to the multirotor propulsion system;
- a flywheel mechanically coupled to a second distal end of the motor shaft;
- and
- a magnetic orientation detent, the magnetic orientation detent comprising:
- a first plurality of magnets coupled to the motor mount;
- and
- a second plurality of magnets coupled to the flywheel;
- and
- further comprising a processor, the processor operable to execute a locking drive scheme, wherein the locking drive scheme causes the motor to drive the motor shaft to rotate with a torque having a force less than the force needed to overcome magnetic coupling of the first and second plurality of magnets and lock the propeller in line with a flight direction of the aircraft.
A method for applying a magnetic orientation detent, the method comprising:
- flying a aircraft using a multirotor propulsion system and a fixed-wing system, the multirotor propulsion system comprising:
- a propeller coupled to a first distal end of a motor shaft;
- a motor coupled to the multirotor propulsion system using a motor mount, the motor operable to drive the motor shaft;
- and
- a flywheel mechanically coupled to a second distal end of the motor shaft;
- removing power from the motor of the multirotor propulsion system;
- locking the propeller of the multirotor propulsion system using a magnetic orientation detent, the magnetic orientation detent comprising:
- a first plurality of magnets mechanically coupled to the motor mount;
- and
- a second plurality of magnets mechanically coupled to the flywheel;
- and
- wherein the first and second plurality of magnets magnetically couple when power is removed from the multirotor propulsion stem;
- and
- wherein locking the propeller comprises locking the propeller in line with a flight direction of the aircraft.
A magnetic orientation detent, comprising:
- a motor coupled to a motor shaft;
- a motor mount, the motor mechanically coupled to the motor mount;
- a flywheel mechanically coupled to a distal end of the motor shaft;
- a first plurality of magnets coupled to the motor mount;
- a second plurality of magnets coupled to the flywheel, the second plurality of magnets are coupled magnetically to the first plurality of magnets;
- further comprising a processor, the processor programmable to implement a locking the drive scheme, wherein the locking drive scheme causes the motor to drive the motor shaft to rotate with a torque having a force less than the force needed to overcome the magnetic coupling of the first and second plurality of magnets;
- and
- wherein the locking drive mechanism locks a propeller associated with the magnetic orientation detent in line with a flight direction of an aircraft.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.