Systems and Methods for Reducing the Propeller Noise
AssigneeAurora Flight Sciences Corporation
InventorsAmanda Kaufman, Riley C. Griffin, Kevin Uleck, Martin Kearney-Fischer, James D. Paduano
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Disclosed is an aerial vehicle having a reduced noise signature. The aerial vehicle may be a vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aerial vehicle. The aerial vehicle comprises an airframe and a plurality of rotors operatively coupled with one or more motors. The plurality of rotors may comprise a first, second, third, and fourth rotor. Each of the first, second, third, and fourth rotors may be arranged in a single plane and oriented to direct thrust downward relative to the airframe. In certain aspects, at least two of the plurality of rotors employ a different geometry to generate a targeted noise signature.
Claims20
An aerial vehicle having a reduced noise signature, the aerial vehicle comprising:
- an airframe;
- a first electric motor configured to drive a first propeller, wherein the first propeller is oriented to provide lift to the airframe;
- and
- a second electric motor configured to drive a second propeller, wherein the second propeller is oriented to provide lift to the airframe,
- wherein the first propeller employs a first propeller design and the second propeller employs a second propeller design that is different from the first propeller design, and
- wherein the first propeller and the second propeller are configured to deliver an equivalent amount of thrust when driven at a predetermined revolutions per minute (RPM).
An aerial vehicle having a reduced noise signature, the aerial vehicle comprising:
- an airframe;
- and
- a plurality of propellers operatively coupled with one or more motors, the plurality of propellers comprising a first, second, third, and fourth propeller, wherein each of the first, second, third, and fourth propellers are arranged in a single plane and oriented to direct thrust downward relative to the airframe, where at least two of the plurality of propellers employs a different geometry.
A method for reducing a noise signature in an aerial vehicle, the method comprising:
- driving a first electric motor, wherein the first electric motor is configured to drive a first propeller having a first propeller geometry at a predetermined revolutions per minute (RPM);
- driving a second electric motor, wherein the second electric motor is configured to drive a second propeller having a second propeller geometry at the predetermined RPM, wherein the second propeller geometry is different from the first propeller geometry and configured to deliver an equivalent amount of thrust as the first propeller geometry when driven at the predetermined RPM;
- dynamically monitoring, via a processor, an RPM of at least one of the first propeller and the second propeller to identify a deviation from the predetermined RPM;
- and
- adjusting the RPM of the first propeller or the second propeller in an event of a deviation from the predetermined RPM to adjust the noise signature.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.