Non-uniform blade distribution for rotary wing aircraft
AssigneeSikorsky Aircraft Corporation
InventorMark R. Alber
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A translational thrust system for a rotary wing aircraft is provided including a propeller system. The propeller system includes more than one pair of propeller blades extending radially outward from a rotatable propeller hub. Each pair of propeller blades includes a first propeller blade and a second propeller blade arranged diametrically opposite one another about a circumference of the propeller hub. Each pair of propeller blades is arranged at an angle to an adjacent pair of propeller blades such that the angle is less than is the pairs of propeller blades were uniformly distributed around the circumference of the propeller hub.
Claims16
A translational thrust system for a rotary wing aircraft comprising:
- a propeller system having more than one pair of propeller blades extending radially outward from a rotatable propeller hub, wherein each pair of propeller blades includes a first propeller blade and a second propeller blade arranged diametrically opposite one another about a circumference of the propeller hub, and each pair of propeller blades is arranged at an angle to an adjacent pair of propeller blades such that the angle is less than if the pairs of propeller blades were uniformly distributed around the circumference of the propeller hub.
A rotary wing aircraft comprising:
- an airframe;
- at least one rotor system;
- a propeller system mounted to a tail end of the air frame, the propeller system including more than one pair of propeller blades extending radially outward from a central rotatable hub, and each pair of propeller blades is arranged at an angle to an adjacent pair of propeller blades such that the angle is less than if the pairs of propeller blades were uniformly distributed around a circumference of the propeller hub;
- wherein a first vertical clearance exists between the hub and the rotor system, and a second vertical clearance exists between the hub and a surface below the rotary wing aircraft, and the first vertical clearance is larger than the second vertical clearance.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.