Electronic control of blade pitch on a tiltrotor
AssigneeTextron Innovations Inc.
InventorsFrank Bradley Stamps, Thomas C. Parham, Jr.
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A system is provided for controlling the pitch of blades of a rotor, the system comprising an actuator for each blade, each actuator being configured for selective control of the pitch of an associated blade about a pitch axis. Sensors are configured for determining aerodynamic forces acting on the rotor, and a flight control system is configured to receive signals from the sensors and for operating the actuators in response to the signals to achieve a desired pitch-flap coupling value.
Claims19
A system for controlling a pitch of each blade of a rotor, the system comprising:
- an actuator for each blade, each actuator configured for selective control of the pitch of an associated blade about a pitch axis;
- sensors configured for determining aerodynamic forces acting on the rotor;
- and
- a flight control system configured to receive signals from the sensors and for operating the actuators;
- wherein the flight control system operates the actuators in response to the signals to achieve a desired pitch-flap coupling value.
A system for controlling a pitch of each blade of a rotor, the system comprising:
- a swashplate;
- a pitch rod for each blade, each pitch rod coupling a rotating plate of the swashplate to an associated blade in a manner to achieve an inherent first pitch-cone coupling value and an inherent first pitch-flap coupling value;
- an actuator for each pitch rod, each actuator being configured for altering a length or axial position of the associated pitch rod for controlling the pitch of the associated blade;
- sensors configured for determining direction and magnitude of out-of-plane motion of at least one of the blades;
- and
- a flight control system configured to receive signals from the sensors and for operating the actuators;
- wherein the flight control system operates the actuators in response to the signals from the sensors to achieve at least one of a desired second pitch-cone coupling value or a desired second pitch-flap coupling value.
A system for controlling a pitch of each blade of a rotor, the system comprising:
- an actuator for each blade, each actuator configured for selective control of the pitch of an associated blade about a pitch axis;
- sensors configured for determining aerodynamic forces acting on the rotor;
- and
- a flight control system configured to receive signals from the sensors and for operating the actuators;
- wherein the flight control system operates the actuators in response to the signals to achieve a desired pitch-cone coupling value.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.