Patent ID: 8226349
Filing Date: 2012-07-24
Classification: B64C,F01D,F03D,F05B,F05D,Y02E,Y02T

Abstract:
1. An apparatus comprising: a hub, wherein the hub rotates about an axis; and at least two delta blade systems, wherein each of the at least two delta blade systems: (i) extends outward radially from the hub, (ii) has a distal end with respect to the hub and a proximal end connecting to the hub, (iii) is spaced equidistant from each adjacent delta blade system, and (iv) comprises: a leading blade, wherein the proximal end of the leading blade is connected to the hub; a trailing blade, wherein the proximal end of the trailing blade is connected to the hub; a spherical joint, wherein the distal end of the leading blade is connected to the distal end of the trailing blade via the spherical joint, wherein, relative to the hub, the proximal end of the leading blade can be moved to any position along an arc, wherein the arc is concentric with the perimeter of the hub, and wherein an angle is formed by the leading blade and a line tangential to the arc at the intersection of the leading blade and the arc, and the angle is variable within the range of 90 degrees to 180 degrees to affect a change in sweep and aspect ratio of each of the at least two delta blade systems; and a torsion bar system comprising one or more torsion bars, wherein a proximal end of the one or more torsion bars is connected to the hub and a distal end of the one or more torsion bars is connected to the spherical joint, wherein the torsion bar system is operably connected to at least one of the leading blade or the trailing blade to rotate the at least one of the leading blade or the trailing blade through a plurality of attack angles, and wherein the torsion bar system is operably rotated when a torque is applied to the torsion bar system.