US 11,702,196 B2
Rotor system with reconfigurable duct
Brad Joseph Passe, Irving, TX (US); Nicholas Ralph Carlson, Dallas, TX (US); and George Matthew Thompson, Lewisville, TX (US)
Assigned to TEXTRON INNOVATIONS INC., Providence, RI (US)
Filed by Bell Textron Inc., Fort Worth, TX (US)
Filed on Jun. 25, 2020, as Appl. No. 16/912,513.
Prior Publication US 2021/0403149 A1, Dec. 30, 2021
Int. Cl. B64C 27/08 (2023.01); B64C 27/37 (2006.01); B64C 27/473 (2006.01); B64C 39/02 (2023.01); B64C 29/00 (2006.01); B64U 30/20 (2023.01); B64U 50/14 (2023.01); B64C 27/54 (2006.01)
CPC B64C 27/08 (2013.01) [B64C 27/37 (2013.01); B64C 27/473 (2013.01); B64C 27/54 (2013.01); B64C 29/0016 (2013.01); B64C 39/024 (2013.01); B64U 30/20 (2023.01); B64U 50/14 (2023.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A propulsion system comprising:
a rotor assembly comprising a plurality of rotor blades extending from a mast axis, the plurality of rotor blades configured to rotate about the mast axis;
a duct assembly comprising a moveable duct portion and a stationary duct portion, wherein:
in a first duct configuration, the moveable duct portion surrounds a first portion of the rotor assembly, the stationary duct portion surrounds a second portion of the rotor assembly, and the moveable duct portion and the stationary duct portion encircle the rotor assembly; and
in a second duct configuration, the stationary duct portion surrounds the second portion of the rotor assembly, and the moveable duct portion is moved away from the first portion of the rotor assembly and positioned around the stationary duct portion, such that the rotor assembly is not encircled; and
a pair of actuated joints connecting the moveable duct portion to the stationary duct portion, the actuated joints configured to rotate the moveable duct portion about a duct collapse axis perpendicular to the mast axis.