US 12,528,604 B1Granted

High-efficiency electric torque arm drive for unmanned helicopters

OwnerDawei Dong, Dawit Haileinventors

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Abstract

An unmanned helicopter with a rotor disc area expanded to twice that of conventional multi-rotor drones to maximize lift generation under low Reynolds number conditions is described. Aerodynamic efficiency is further improved via airfoils known for their high lift performance in thin atmospheres. A four-blade rotor configuration with low solidity is used to minimize weight while optimizing performance. To facilitate deployment, the helicopter features a foldable transport design that remains compact during interplanetary travel and expands upon re-entry into the atmosphere. Post-landing operations are supported by a hybrid ground mobility system in which the landing gear functions as the drive train for a four-wheeled vehicle. Two coaxial air propellers, integrated into the front wheels, provide additional left-right directional control during both flight and ground movement. The design of the helicopter effectively doubles the payload capacity for a given power input compared to conventional rotorcraft.

Claims7

Dependent claims

A helicopter using an electric propeller torque arm to drive the main rotor, comprising:

a set of main rotor blades that rotates around a main central axis of the helicopter, the main rotor blades being driven directly by the electric propeller torque arm to produce a lift, the main rotor blades imparting no torque on a helicopter fuselage, thereby eliminating a need for a tail rotor system;
an autorotation function enabling safe autorotation and landing in the event of a power system failure in the helicopter,
the electric propeller torque arm drive mechanism significantly enhancing a main rotor efficiency and an autorotation effectiveness, resulting in safer autorotation landings;
wherein
the helicopter employs a central-cylinder bracket-type reentry cabin, the reentry cabin using a solid propellant rocket engine for deceleration and braking, the helicopter is stored in a folded state in a reentry cabin cylinder, and as the reentry cabin cylinder decelerates, the helicopter unfolds from a top of the cylinder and, following pre-rotation driven by the electric propeller torque arm, separates from the reentry cabin and transitions into an autorotation descent flight mode.

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Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.