Fluid-driven artificial muscles as mechanisms for controlled actuation

A fluid contact surface actuation system for a vehicle, including a first fluid contact surface constructed and arranged to act against a first fluid passing over the first fluid contact surface; and a first fluid actuator coupled to the first fluid contact surface to move the first fluid contact surface between a first position and a second position to enable control of the vehicle in a predetermined manner, the first fluid actuator having a first resilient bladder that receives a second fluid such that pressure of the second fluid moves the first bladder between a contracted configuration and an expanded configuration.

Biomimetic mechanism for micro aircraft

A biomimetic pitching and flapping mechanism including a support member, at least two blade joints for holding blades and operatively connected to the support member. An outer shaft member is concentric with the support member, and an inner shaft member is concentric with the outer shaft member. The mechanism allows the blades of a small-scale rotor to be actuated in the flap and pitch degrees of freedom. The pitching and the flapping are completely independent from and uncoupled to each other. As such, the rotor can independently flap, or independently pitch, or flap and pitch simultaneously with different amplitudes and/or frequencies. The mechanism can also be used in a non-rotary wing configuration, such as an ornithopter, in which case the rotational degree of freedom would be suppressed.

Fluid-driven artificial muscles as mechanisms for controlled actuation

A fluid contact surface actuation system for a vehicle, including a first fluid contact surface constructed and arranged to act against a first fluid passing over the first fluid contact surface; and a first fluid actuator coupled to the first fluid contact surface to move the first fluid contact surface between a first position and a second position to enable control of the vehicle in a predetermined manner, the first fluid actuator having a first resilient bladder that receives a second fluid such that pressure of the second fluid moves the first bladder between a contracted configuration and an expanded configuration.

Biomimetic mechanism for micro aircraft

A biomimetic pitching and flapping mechanism including a support member, at least two blade joints for holding blades and operatively connected to the support member. An outer shaft member is concentric with the support member, and an inner shaft member is concentric with the outer shaft member. The mechanism allows the blades of a small-scale rotor to be actuated in the flap and pitch degrees of freedom. The pitching and the flapping are completely independent from and uncoupled to each other. As such, the rotor can independently flap, or independently pitch, or flap and pitch simultaneously with different amplitudes and/or frequencies. The mechanism can also be used in a non-rotary wing configuration, such as an ornithopter, in which case the rotational degree of freedom would be suppressed.

MAGNETIC DE-ROTATION SYSTEM FOR A SHAFT FAIRING SYSTEM

A magnetic de-rotation system includes an inner ring which supports an eddy current ring and at least one inner ring magnet and an outer ring which supports at least one outer ring magnet, attraction between the at least one inner ring magnet and the at least one outer ring magnet produces a stable rotational position for a fairing.

Vertical take off and landing aircraft

Embodiments described herein relate to a vertical take-off and landing aircraft, specifically an electric or hybrid electric aircraft having a plurality of ducted fans. The aircraft includes a plurality of axially oriented fans, laterally oriented fans, forward air intakes, side exit ports and rear exhaust ports. The aircraft achieves flight by capturing air in the intakes and diverting the air through the axially oriented fans or the laterally oriented fans through the channels selectively.

Electric powered rotary-wing aircraft

A rotary-wing aircraft with an electric motor mounted along an axis of rotation to drive a rotor system about the axis of rotation.

ELECTRIC POWERED ROTARY-WING AIRCRAFT

A rotary-wing aircraft with an electric motor mounted along an axis of rotation to drive a rotor system about the axis of rotation.

Magnetic de-rotation system for a shaft fairing system

A magnetic de-rotation system includes an inner ring which supports an eddy current ring and at least one inner ring magnet and an outer ring which supports at least one outer ring magnet, attraction between the at least one inner ring magnet and the at least one outer ring magnet produces a stable rotational position for a fairing.

Vertical take off and landing aircraft

Embodiments described herein relate to a vertical take-off and landing aircraft, specifically an electric or hybrid electric aircraft having a plurality of ducted fans. The aircraft includes a plurality of axially oriented fans, laterally oriented fans, forward air intakes, side exit ports and rear exhaust ports. The air-craft achieves flight by capturing air in the intakes and diverting the air through the axially oriented fans or the laterally oriented fans through the channels selectively.

RAIL PLASMA ACTUATOR FOR HIGH-AUTHORITY FLOW CONTROL

Apparatus and methods for forming and propagating a plurality of plasma armatures along electrodes. In particular embodiments, the electrodes are flush mounted to the surface and the plasma armatures are formed and propagated at a high frequency and velocity. 1. An apparatus comprising:a surface configured to allow a gas to flow over the surface;a first electrode;a second electrode; and 'the electrical circuit is configured to repeatedly apply a voltage across the first and second electrodes sufficient to induce formation of a plurality of plasma armatures that propagate along the first and second electrodes.', 'an electrical circuit comprising a voltage source, wherein2. The apparatus of wherein during operation the plurality of plasma armatures form a wall jet that controls gas flow over the surface.3. The apparatus of wherein the wall jet is a quasi-continuous wall jet.4. The apparatus of wherein the electrical circuit is configured to control the voltage with microsecond response times.5. The apparatus of wherein the electrical circuit comprises a transformer and a rectifier electrically coupled to the voltage source.6. The apparatus of wherein the electrical circuit comprises an inductor and a diode electrically coupled to the voltage source.7. The apparatus of wherein the voltage source is configured to provide a voltage of approximately three hundred volts to the electrical circuit.8. The apparatus of wherein the first and second electrode comprise a protuberance configured to provide a location for initiation of a plasma armature.9. The apparatus of further comprising a third electrode coupled to the second electrode wherein the third electrode is separated from the first electrode by a dielectric layer.10. The apparatus of wherein during operation a dielectric barrier discharge forms between the first and third electrodes.11. The apparatus of wherein the dielectric barrier discharge creates an ionized air channel between the first and second electrodes and ...

Magnetic de-rotation system for a shaft fairing system

Electric powered rotary-wing aircraft

A rotary-wing aircraft with an electric motor mounted along an axis of rotation to drive a rotor system about the axis of rotation.