Propulsor fan array
AssigneeWhisper Aero Inc.
InventorsMark Douglass Moore, Ian Andreas Villa, Devon Jedamski, Xiaofan Fei
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A propulsor fan array having reduced noise emission is disclosed. The propulsor fan array includes a plurality of propulsor fans that collectively generate thrust. Each of the propulsor fans include a blade fan having a plurality of blades. The plurality of blades are tensioned at tips of the plurality of blade fans such that a pitch of the blades during thrust generation is substantially the same as a pitch of the blades at rest. By tensioning the tips of the blades, an angle of the blades is maintained during operation of the propulsor fan thereby reducing noise that may result from changes in the angle of the blades.
Claims19
A propulsor fan array comprising:
- a plurality of propulsor fans configured to collectively generate thrust, each of the plurality of propulsor fans including:
- a blade fan having a plurality of blades that are tensioned at tips of the plurality of blade fans such that a pitch of the blades during thrust generation is substantially the same as a pitch of the blades at rest;
- and
- a tension ring including a body and a plurality of openings in the body, each of the plurality of openings extending through an entire radial thickness of the body of the tension ring,
- wherein each of the plurality of blades include a first end and a second end, the second end of each of the plurality of blades is disposed within a corresponding one of the plurality of openings of the tension ring to maintain the pitch of the plurality of blades during thrust generation to be substantially the same as the pitch of the blades at rest.
An aircraft comprising:
- a fuselage;
- a plurality of wings connected to the fuselage;
- and
- a plurality of propulsor fan arrays, each of the plurality of propulsor fan arrays integrated into a corresponding one of the plurality of wings and comprising:
- a plurality of propulsor fans configured to collectively generate thrust of the aircraft, each of the plurality of propulsor fans including:
- a blade fan having a plurality of blades that are tensioned at tips of the plurality of blade fans such that a pitch of the blades during thrust generation is substantially the same as a pitch of the blades at rest;
- and
- a tension ring including a body and a plurality of openings in the body, each of the plurality of openings extending through an entire radial thickness of the body of the tension ring,
- wherein each of the plurality of blades include a first end and a second end, the second end of each of the plurality of blades is disposed within a corresponding one of the plurality of openings of the tension ring to maintain the pitch of the plurality of blades during thrust generation to be substantially the same as the pitch of the blades at rest.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.