Rotorcraft engine and rotor speed synchronization
AssigneeKarem Aircraft, Inc.
InventorsWilliam Martin Waide, Abe Karem
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Systems and methods are provided in which an electrical control system independently effects acceleration of both driven and driving elements of a clutch to engage each other. In preferred embodiments the clutch is not a friction clutch, but a dog clutch, and forms part of a drive drain of a rotorcraft. A second clutch can be used, along with a mechanical interlock to prevent simultaneous engagement of the clutches. Speeds of the driven and driving elements can be sensed, and altered using at least one of a rotor, a brake, a generator, an electric motor, and a combustion motor. In rotorcraft embodiments, the gearbox can have a neutral condition in which no power is transmitted from the engine to the rotor
Claims14
A method comprising:
- providing a first dog clutch having driven and driving elements, wherein the driving and driven elements are intermediate components of a gearbox of an aircraft;
- mechanically connecting the driving element of the first dog clutch to a first gear having a first number of teeth:
- sensing rotational speeds of each of the elements;
- and
- using an electrical control system to independently effect acceleration of both of the elements to engage each other without the use of a friction coupling.
A method comprising:
- providing a first dog clutch having driven and driving elements;
- mechanically connecting the driving element of the first dog clutch to a first gear having a first number of teeth;
- sensing rotational speeds of each of the elements;
- using an electrical control system to independently effect acceleration of both of the elements to engage each other without the use of a friction coupling;
- and
- further comprising providing a rotor blade that receives power through a drive train that includes the dog clutch, and using Individual Blade Control (IBC) to control the rotor blade.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.