Rolls-royce Corporation

Rolls-royce North American Technologies Inc.

David John Howard Eames

Michael James Armstrong

Mark Jon Blackwelder

Ellis Fui Hen Chong

An alternating current type electric propulsion system is described that includes an AC generator and a plurality of propulsors electrically coupled to the AC generator. A first propulsor from the plurality of propulsors includes a first motor that drives a first fan of the first propulsor at a first speed. A second propulsor from the plurality of propulsors comprises a second motor that drives a second fan of the second propulsor at a second speed that is different than the first speed.

Varying quantities of motor poles for noise reduction

An aircraft power plant is disclosed having a plurality of bladed rotors in flow communication driven by separate work producing devices. The work producing devices can take a variety of forms including an internal combustion engine and electric motor, for example. The bladed rotors can be associated with an aircraft pylon and can be driven independently to separate operating conditions to provide optimum performance. For example, the bladed rotors can be driven to separate operating conditions that improve a noise signature or performance of the aircraft.

Aircraft power plant

A system for aircraft propulsion is disclosed herein. The system includes a power plant. The system also includes an open rotor module operable to rotate. The open rotor module has a plurality of variable-pitch blades. The system also includes a first linkage extending between the power plant and the open rotor module. The first linkage is operable to transmit rotational power to the open rotor module for rotating the plurality of variable-pitch blades. The system also includes an actuator operable to change a pitch of the plurality of variable-pitch blades. The system also includes a generator operable to generate electric power. The system also includes a second linkage extending between the power plant and the generator. The second linkage is operable to transmit rotational power to the generator. The generator is operable to convert the rotational power to electrical power. The system also includes a controller operably coupled to the actuator to vary a pitch of the plurality of variable-pitch blades. The controller is also operably coupled to the power plant to adjust a power output. The controller is also operably coupled to the generator to determine demand on the generator. The controller is also operable to vary the pitch of the plurality of variable-pitch blades based at least in part on the demand on the generator.

Remote shaft driven open rotor propulsion system with electrical power generation

A roadable aircraft and an associated method are disclosed herein. The roadable aircraft includes a body extending along a longitudinal axis and operable to house a human occupant. The roadable aircraft also includes at least first and second wings each being selectively moveable relative to the body between a retracted position for stowing and an extended position for flight. Each of the first and second wings extend a wing cord along the longitudinal axis when in the extended position between a leading edge and a wing trailing-edge vectoring nozzle. The roadable aircraft also includes a system for directing first and second streams of air through the first and second wings, respectively, and out of the first and second wing trailing-edge vectoring nozzles such that thrust for the body is generated. In addition, embodiments of the invention can include a plurality of deployable, vectoring lift fans which are also capable of producing thrust. Thrust for VTOL and cruise flight can be achieved by combining the thrust generated by the wing trailing-edge vectoring nozzles and/or the vectoring lift fans. An alternative to the wing trailing-edge vectoring nozzles would be to vector the entire wing.

Growing community of inventors

Indianapolis, IN, United States of America

David John Howard Eames