Joby Aero, Inc.

Jordin Gischler

Baixi Pei

JoeBen Bevirt

Rob Thodal

Joachim L Grenestedt

Robert Thodal

Florian Jule

A rotor assembly deployment mechanism configured to deploy a rotor assembly of a vertical take-off and landing aircraft from a horizontal, forward thrust, position to a vertical, hover, position. The rotor assembly deployment mechanism is configured to deploy an electric motor and propeller together. The deployment mechanism provides significant stiffness and strength with the use of torsion box constructions. The deployment mechanism may utilize bar linkages wherein the primary linkage pivot is of a large diameter relative to the span of the pivot in order to provide significant stiffness. The deployment mechanism may utilize rotary actuators to drive the deployment and stowing of the rotor assembly.

Rotor assembly deployment mechanism and aircraft using same

A compact harmonic drive system with a motor residing within the flexspline cup. The motor may reside further into the flexspline cup than the wave generator, and the air gap of the motor may be further out radially than the interior of the wave generator bearing. The motor may use an outrunner configuration with an outboard rotor made up of magnets, allowing for a large radial distance to the air gap and resulting in higher torque. The interior stator windings are thermally well coupled to the drive system structure. The harmonic drive may be coupled to a deployment system adapted to support moment loads perpendicular to the rotation axis such that those loads are not supported by the harmonic drive.

Compact offset outrunner harmonic drive rotary actuator and deployment system using same

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Santa Cruz, CA, United States of America

Jordin Gischler