Method and apparatus for magnetic actuation of variable pitch impeller blades
AssigneeThe Boeing Company
InventorsRobert J. Atmur, Bryan J. Sydnor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An integrated propulsion and guidance system for a vehicle includes an engine coupled to an impeller via a driveshaft to produce propulsive force. The impeller includes a hub and a plurality of blades, including at least one control blade pivotably mounted to the hub. A control system provides a control signal to a magnetic actuator to adjust the blade pitch of the control blades as the blades rotate about the hub. The change in blade pitch produces a torque on the driveshaft that can be used to control the heading of the vehicle.
Claims15
A vehicle having an integrated propulsion and guidance system, the vehicle comprising:
- an engine configured to rotate a driveshaft;
- an impeller coupled to the driveshaft to thereby propel the vehicle, wherein the impeller comprises a hub, a plurality of fixed blades, and at least one control blade coupled to a magnet and configured to rotate with respect to the hub;
- a control system coupled to the impeller, wherein the control system is configured to provide a control signal;
- and
- a magnetic actuator configured to receive the control signal and to produce an electromagnetic field as a function of the control signal, wherein the magnetic field is operable to displace the magnet and to thereby pivot the at least one control blade with respect to the hub.
An impeller assembly configured to rotate on a driveshaft for a vehicle, the impeller comprising:
- an impeller hub;
- a plurality of fixed impeller blades rigidly coupled to the impeller hub, each of the fixed impeller blades having a common blade pitch;
- and
- a control blade assembly pivotably coupled to the impeller hub, wherein the control blade assembly comprises:
- a pair of control blades joined by a shaft;
- a magnet assembly coupled to the shaft;
- and
- a bearing assembly supporting the shaft within the impeller hub such that the shaft is configured to pivot in response to an electromagnetic field applied to the magnet assembly to thereby adjust the blade pitch of the control blades.
A variable pitch control blade assembly for an impeller having an impeller hub, the control blade assembly comprising:
- a pair of control blades joined by a shaft;
- a magnet assembly coupled to the shaft;
- and
- a bearing assembly configured to pivotably support the shaft within the impeller hub such that the shaft is configured to pivot in response to an electromagnetic field applied to the magnet assembly to thereby adjust the blade pitch of the control blades.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.