Rotorcraft variable thrust cross-flow fan systems
First Claim
1. A variable thrust cross-flow fan system for a rotorcraft, the system comprising:
- a cross-flow fan assembly having a longitudinal axis and including first and second driver plates having a plurality of blades rotatably mounted therebetween, the plurality of blades disposed radially outwardly from the longitudinal axis such that the plurality of blades have a generally circular path of travel when the cross-flow fan assembly rotates about the longitudinal axis, the plurality of blades moveable between a plurality of pitch angle configurations;
a control assembly coupled to the plurality of blades, the control assembly including a control cam operable to translate relative to the cross-flow fan assembly to change the pitch angle configuration of the plurality of blades; and
an actuator assembly operably coupled to the control cam, the actuator assembly operable to translate the control cam relative to the cross-flow fan assembly to change the pitch angle configuration of the plurality of blades to generate variable thrust at a substantially constant rotational speed of the cross-flow fan assembly;
wherein the cross-flow fan assembly is operable to produce a thrust in one of a first or second direction in response to the actuator assembly translating the control cam leftward relative to the cross-flow fan assembly and is further operable to produce a thrust in the other of the first or second direction in response to the actuator assembly translating the control cam rightward relative to the cross-flow fan assembly, the first direction substantially opposite from the second direction.
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Accused Products
Abstract
In some embodiments, a rotorcraft includes a fuselage, a tailboom, a drive system and a variable thrust cross-flow fan system. The cross-flow fan system includes a cross-flow fan assembly that is mechanically coupled to a drive shaft and operable to rotate with the drive shaft about a longitudinal axis. The cross-flow fan assembly includes first and second driver plates having a plurality of blades rotatably mounted therebetween. The blades are disposed radially outwardly from the longitudinal axis and have a generally circular path of travel when the cross-flow fan assembly rotates about the longitudinal axis. The blades are moveable between a plurality of pitch angle configurations. A control assembly is coupled to the blades. The control assembly is operable to change the pitch angle configuration of the blades to generate variable thrust at a substantially constant rotational speed of the cross-flow fan assembly.
58 Citations
19 Claims
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1. A variable thrust cross-flow fan system for a rotorcraft, the system comprising:
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a cross-flow fan assembly having a longitudinal axis and including first and second driver plates having a plurality of blades rotatably mounted therebetween, the plurality of blades disposed radially outwardly from the longitudinal axis such that the plurality of blades have a generally circular path of travel when the cross-flow fan assembly rotates about the longitudinal axis, the plurality of blades moveable between a plurality of pitch angle configurations; a control assembly coupled to the plurality of blades, the control assembly including a control cam operable to translate relative to the cross-flow fan assembly to change the pitch angle configuration of the plurality of blades; and an actuator assembly operably coupled to the control cam, the actuator assembly operable to translate the control cam relative to the cross-flow fan assembly to change the pitch angle configuration of the plurality of blades to generate variable thrust at a substantially constant rotational speed of the cross-flow fan assembly; wherein the cross-flow fan assembly is operable to produce a thrust in one of a first or second direction in response to the actuator assembly translating the control cam leftward relative to the cross-flow fan assembly and is further operable to produce a thrust in the other of the first or second direction in response to the actuator assembly translating the control cam rightward relative to the cross-flow fan assembly, the first direction substantially opposite from the second direction. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A rotorcraft, comprising:
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a fuselage; a tailboom extending from the fuselage, the tailboom having an aft portion; a drive system having an engine, transmission and a drive shaft extending at least partially within the tailboom; and a variable thrust cross-flow fan system located at the aft portion of the tailboom, the variable thrust cross-flow fan system including; a cross-flow fan assembly mechanically coupled to the drive shaft and operable to rotate with the drive shaft about a longitudinal axis, the cross-flow fan assembly including first and second driver plates having a plurality of blades rotatably mounted therebetween, the plurality of blades disposed radially outwardly from the longitudinal axis such that the plurality of blades have a generally circular path of travel when the cross-flow fan assembly rotates about the longitudinal axis, the plurality of blades moveable between a plurality of pitch angle configurations; a control assembly coupled to the plurality of blades, the control assembly including a control cam operable to translate relative to the cross-flow fan assembly to change the pitch angle configuration of the plurality of blades; and an actuator assembly operably coupled to the control cam, the actuator assembly operable to translate the control cam relative to the cross-flow fan assembly to change the pitch angle configuration of the plurality of blades to generate variable thrust at a substantially constant rotational speed of the cross-flow fan assembly; wherein the cross-flow fan assembly is operable to produce a thrust in one of a first or second direction in response to the actuator assembly translating the control cam leftward relative to the cross-flow fan assembly and is further operable to produce a thrust in the other of the first or second direction in response to the actuator assembly translating the control cam rightward relative to the cross-flow fan assembly, the first direction substantially opposite from the second direction. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19)
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Specification