Variable blade pitch systems and methods
AssigneeFLIR Unmanned Aerial Systems ULC
InventorDmytro Silin
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Systems and methods are provided to control a rotor blade pitch. In one example, a system comprises a ratchet mechanism comprising a ratchet wheel configured to be rotated by a motor about a first axis. The ratchet mechanism comprises one or more followers each of which is coupled to the ratchet wheel. The ratchet wheel rotates the one or more followers in a first direction about the first axis when the ratchet wheel is rotated by the motor in the first direction about the first axis. One or more rotor blades rotate about the first axis. Each rotor blade is affixed to a respective follower. Each follower controls a pitch of the respective rotor blade based on a position of the follower relative to the ratchet wheel.
Claims20
A system comprising:
- a ratchet mechanism comprising a ratchet wheel configured to be rotated by a motor about a first axis, the ratchet mechanism comprising one or more followers each of which is coupled to the ratchet wheel, the ratchet wheel rotating the one or more followers in a first direction about the first axis when the ratchet wheel is rotated by the motor in the first direction about the first axis;
- one or more rotor blades mounted to rotate about the first axis, each rotor blade being affixed to a respective follower of the one or more followers, each follower controlling a pitch of the respective rotor blade based on a position of the follower relative to the ratchet wheel;
- and
- a controller configured to determine a pitch of at least one rotor blade of the system, wherein to determine the pitch comprises:
- determining a speed and/or torque of the motor;
- determining an electric current of the motor;
- and
- determining the pitch from at least the electric current and the determined speed and/or torque.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.