HYBRID GYRODYNE AIRCRAFT EMPLOYING A MANAGED AUTOROTATION FLIGHT CONTROL SYSTEM

摘要

An aircraft includes at least one propulsion engine, coupled to a fuselage, and configured to provide forward thrust to propel the aircraft along a first vector during forward flight. Each of at least two of multiple rotors coupled to the fuselage is coupled to a motor configured to supply power to that rotor and/or to draw power from that rotor. At least two of the rotors are configured to operate during forward flight to provide at least some lift to the aircraft along a second vector. A flight control system is configured to control the rotors that are configured to operate during forward flight in a power managed regime in which a net electrical power, consisting of the sum of the power being supplied to or drawn from each rotor by its motor, is maintained within a range determined by a feedback control system of the flight control system.

主权项

1. An aircraft comprising:
a fuselage; at least one propulsion engine coupled to the fuselage, wherein the propulsion engine is configured to provide forward thrust to propel the aircraft along a first vector during forward flight; a plurality of rotors coupled to the fuselage, wherein
each rotor of at least two of the plurality of rotors is coupled to a motor configured to supply power to that rotor, or configured to draw power from that rotor, or configured to supply power to that rotor and configured to draw power from that rotor, andat least two of the plurality of rotors are configured to operate during forward flight to provide at least some lift to the aircraft along a second vector; and a flight control system configured to control the rotors that are configured to operate during forward flight in a power managed regime in which a net electrical power, consisting of the sum of the power being supplied to or drawn from each rotor by its motor, is maintained within a range determined by a feedback control system of the flight control system.