Remotely controlled co-axial rotorcraft for heavy-lift aerial-crane operations
First Claim
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1. A helicopter comprising:
- a lift module having a propulsion system comprising two coaxial, counter-rotating rotors and at least one engine, each rotor having a plurality of blades, each blade being of the same length, the rotors being driven in rotation about a mast axis by the engine, the rotors generating a total thrust along a thrust vector;
a support module for supporting the helicopter when landed, the support module having at least three support members assembled in a radial array about the mast axis, in that the longitudinal axis of each support member intersects the mast axis;
a payload support system adapted to couple an external payload directly to the lift module;
wherein loads on the support module and associated component weights are significantly reduced, such that a ratio of the total thrust of the rotor to an empty weight of the helicopter is greater than about 3.5 to 1.
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Abstract
An unmanned rotorcraft has a lift module having a propulsion system and coaxial rotors driven in rotation by the propulsion system. The rotorcraft includes a payload support system adapted to couple an external payload directly to the lift module. The rotorcraft is devoid of provisions for human passengers.
33 Citations
12 Claims
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1. A helicopter comprising:
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a lift module having a propulsion system comprising two coaxial, counter-rotating rotors and at least one engine, each rotor having a plurality of blades, each blade being of the same length, the rotors being driven in rotation about a mast axis by the engine, the rotors generating a total thrust along a thrust vector; a support module for supporting the helicopter when landed, the support module having at least three support members assembled in a radial array about the mast axis, in that the longitudinal axis of each support member intersects the mast axis; a payload support system adapted to couple an external payload directly to the lift module; wherein loads on the support module and associated component weights are significantly reduced, such that a ratio of the total thrust of the rotor to an empty weight of the helicopter is greater than about 3.5 to 1. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. A helicopter, comprising:
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a lift module having a propulsion system and at least one rotor driven in rotation about a mast axis by the propulsion system, the rotor generating thrust along a thrust vector; and a support module for supporting the helicopter when landed, the support module having at least three support members, each support member being of the same size and shape, extending outwardly in a radial array about the mast axis, each support member having an airfoil-shaped cross-section with its chord parallel to the mast axis, wherein during flight, increased velocity of the helicopter along an inclined and arced flight path permits the support members to develop a normal lifting force, further increasing inclination of the helicopter, and a vertical component of the lifting force in combination with a vertical component of the thrust provides sufficient lift to sustain the helicopter in horizontal flight, such that the mast axis is oriented in a substantially horizontal direction;
wherein a ratio of the total thrust of the rotor to an empty weight of the helicopter is greater than about 3.5 to 1. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A helicopter, comprising:
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a lift module having a propulsion system and at least one rotor driven in rotation about a mast axis by the propulsion system the rotor generating thrust along a thrust vector; and a support module for supporting the helicopter when landed, the support module having at least three support members extending outwardly in a radial array about the mast axis, each support member having an airfoil-shaped cross-section with its chord parallel to the mast axis, wherein during flight, increased velocity of the helicopter along an inclined and arced flight path permits the support members to develop a normal lifting force, further increasing inclination of the helicopter, and a vertical component of the lifting force in combination with a vertical component of the thrust provides sufficient lift to sustain the helicopter in horizontal flight, such that the mast axis is oriented in a substantially horizontal direction; counter-rotating rotors; a transmission for transferring torque to the rotors through a differential with two ring gears, each ring gear coupled to an output shaft coupled to one of the rotors; and a yaw control system comprising; a balance shaft rotatably carried by the transmission, the balance shaft coupling the ring gears for balancing torque between the ring gears; and a rotary actuator coupled to the balance shaft for selectively rotating the balance shaft relative to a housing of the transmission, wherein rotation of the balance shaft causes rotation of the housing about the differential, thereby causing yaw rotation of the helicopter generally about the mast axis. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12)
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Specification