LOW SPEED AUTOGYRO YAW CONTROL APPARATUS AND METHOD

摘要

Apparatus and methods for controlling yaw of a rotorcraft in the event of one or both of low airspeed and engine failure are disclosed. A yaw propulsion device, such as an air jet or a fan may be used. A pneumatic fan may be driven by compressed air released into a channel surrounding an outer portion of the fan. Power for the yaw propulsion device and other system may be provided by a hydraulic pump and/or generator engaging the rotor. Low speed yaw control may be provided by auxiliary rudders positioned within the stream tube of a prop. The auxiliary rudders may one or both of fold down and disengage from rudder controls when not in use. Apparatus for generating horizontal lift imbalance induced a tail boom positioned within the downwash of a rotor may also be used, including compressed air vents or lateral or trailing edge flaps.

主权项

1. An autogryro comprising:
an airframe defining a flight direction; an engine mounted to the airframe; a lift rotor rotatably mounted to the airframe, the lift rotor defining an axis of rotation and being selectively coupled to the engine; a propulsion source selectively powered by the engine and oriented to generate thrust parallel to the flight direction; and a yaw flap positioned within a downwash of the lift rotor: the yaw flap offset from the axis of rotation and mounted to the airframe to be pivotable about a flap axis and effective to redirect air from the downwash; the yaw flap selectively pivotable to be effective to generate a corresponding yaw moment on the airframe about the axis of rotation; a rudder pivotably mounted to the airframe to pivot about a rudder axis substantially perpendicular to the flight direction; and a control system configured to receive yaw control inputs from a pilot, the control system having a first mode in which the yaw control inputs are coupled to the yaw flap and a second mode in which yaw control inputs are not coupled to the yaw flap.