Aircraft having redundant directional control

Number of patents in Portfolio can not be more than 2000

United States of America Patent

PATENT NO 10913541
APP PUB NO 20200231297A1
SERIAL NO

16790676

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ATTORNEY / AGENT: (SPONSORED)

Importance

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Abstract

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An aircraft has an airframe with a two-dimensional distributed thrust array attached thereto having a plurality of propulsion assemblies that are independently controlled by a flight control system. Each propulsion assembly includes a housing with a gimbal coupled thereto that is operable to tilt about first and second axes responsive to first and second actuators. A propulsion system is coupled to and operable to tilt with the gimbal. The propulsion system includes an electric motor having an output drive and a rotor assembly having a plurality of rotor blades that rotate in a rotational plane to generate thrust having a thrust vector. Responsive to a thrust vector error of a first propulsion assembly, the flight control system commands at least a second propulsion assembly, that is symmetrically disposed relative to the first propulsion assembly, to counteract the thrust vector error, thereby providing redundant directional control for the aircraft.

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Patent Owner(s)

Patent OwnerAddress
TEXTRON INNOVATIONS INC40 WESTMINSTER STREET PROVIDENCE RI 02903

International Classification(s)

Inventor(s)

Inventor Name Address # of filed Patents Total Citations
McCullough, John Richard Weatherford, US 70 1756
Oldroyd, Paul K Azle, US 85 1895

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