摘要 |
X-wing aircraft employ a rigid rotor-wing utilizing symmetrical circulation airfoils. The rotor is driven mechanically, and lift is achieved by modulation of air circulation about the base airfoils. This is accomplished by blowing compressed air through trailing edge openings in the rotor blades, and controlling the amount of air being ejected through those openings. By cyclically modulating the amount of ejected airflow, cyclic lift control is obtained. Likewise, by collectively controlling the ejected airflow collective lift control is obtained. One reason for the lack of popularity of circulation control rotor systems is concern over a loss or air pressure resulting from a damaged rotor blade. The damage to a rotor blade, such as ballistic damage, can cause the entire plenum pressure to be vented through that damaged blade. The result is a loss of pneumatic control, not only of that blade, but control of all rotor blades. It is this problem, the prevention of blade pressure loss, which is solved by this venture.
|