Distributed battery bank for ducted-rotor aircraft
AssigneeTextron Innovations Inc.
InventorsNicholas Ralph Carlson, Frank Brad Stamps, George Matthew Thompson, Jonathan Andrew Knoll
Life of this patent
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Abstract
In an embodiment, a duct for a ducted-rotor aircraft includes a hub, the hub including a rotor and one or more motors configured to drive the rotor. The duct also includes a duct ring that defines an opening surrounding at least a portion of the hub. The duct also includes a plurality of stators that extend outward from the hub. The duct also includes at least one battery electrically coupled to the rotor and configured to power the one or more motors.
Claims12
A duct for a ducted-rotor aircraft, the duct comprising:
- a hub comprising a rotor and an electric motor configured to drive the rotor;
- a duct ring that defines an opening surrounding at least a portion of the hub;
- a plurality of stators that extend outward from the hub;
- a control vane;
- and
- a battery mounted within the duct to one of the control vane, a stator of the plurality of stators, and the duct ring, electrically coupled to the rotor, and configured to power the electric motor.
A distributed battery system in a ducted-rotor aircraft, the distributed battery system comprising:
- a first battery mounted to a stator or a control vane of a first duct of the ducted-rotor aircraft, the first duct comprising a first rotor and a first electric motor configured to drive the first rotor;
- wherein the first battery is electrically coupled to the first electric motor and configured to power the first electric motor;
- and
- a second battery mounted to a stator or a control vane of a second duct of the ducted-rotor aircraft, the second duct comprising a second rotor and a second electric motor configured to drive the second rotor;
- and
- wherein the second battery is electrically coupled to the second electric motor and configured to power the second electric motor.
A method of battery distribution in a ducted-rotor aircraft, the method comprising:
- mounting a battery to a stator or a control vane of a duct of the ducted-rotor aircraft, wherein the duct is connected to a hub comprising a rotor and one or more electric motors that drive the rotor;
- and
- electrically coupling the battery to the one or more electric motors.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.