NASA Logo

NTRS

NTRS - NASA Technical Reports Server

Back to Results
System and method for improved rotor tip performanceEmbodiments 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.
Document ID
20100040697
Acquisition Source
Ames Research Center
Document Type
Other - Patent
Authors
Bussom, Richard
McVeigh, Michael A.
Narducci, Robert P.
Zientek, Thomas A.
Date Acquired
August 24, 2013
Publication Date
July 20, 2010
Subject Category
Aircraft Propulsion And Power
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NCC2-9019
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.
Patent
US-Patent-7,757,992
Patent Application
US-Patent-Appl-SN-11/752,791
No Preview Available