The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jul. 20, 2010
Filed:
May. 23, 2007
Richard Bussom, West Chester, PA (US);
Michael A. Mcveigh, Media, PA (US);
Robert P. Narducci, Glen Mills, PA (US);
Thomas A. Zientek, Drexel Hill, PA (US);
Richard Bussom, West Chester, PA (US);
Michael A. McVeigh, Media, PA (US);
Robert P. Narducci, Glen Mills, PA (US);
Thomas A. Zientek, Drexel Hill, PA (US);
The Boeing Company, Chicago, IL (US);
Abstract
Embodiments of systems and methods for enhancing the performance of rotary wing aircraft through reduced torque, noise and vibration are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method includes configuring the rotorcraft in a selected flight condition, communicating input signals to a control system operable to position sails coupled to tips of blades of a rotor assembly, processing the input signals according to a constraint condition to generate sail positional information, and transferring the sail positional information to the sail. Alternately, input signals may be communicated to a control system operable to position a plurality of sails, each sail having an aerodynamic shape and positioned proximate to a tip portion of the rotor blade. The input signals may be configured to rotate each sail about a longitudinal axis into a corresponding pitch angle independently of the other sails.