Patent ID: 11584513

Abstract:
A boundary layer ingestion-open rotor system for use with an aircraft having a fuselage, wings, and an empennage includes an open rotor assembly, one or more energy storage systems, and an electronic control unit (ECU). The open rotor assembly includes fan blades connected to and extending radially from a rotor hub, and a linkage assembly connecting the hub to the fuselage aft of the empennage within a predefined boundary layer of airflow around the fuselage. The energy storage systems are connectable to the rotor hub. In response to an electronic control signal, the system(s) selectively energize the open rotor assembly to cause rotation of the hub to occur within the boundary layer. The ECU selectively generates the electronic control signals to energize the open rotor assembly during one or more predetermined flight operating phases of the aircraft, e.g., cruise, takeoff, landing, and descent.