AeroVironment has patented a motor assembly with a hub designed to reduce damage from propeller ground strikes. The method involves applying a bending moment to the propeller, transmitting it to the motor shaft, and limiting deformation with a reinforcing contact between the hub and motor casing. GlobalData’s report on AeroVironment gives a 360-degree view of the company including its patenting strategy. Buy the report here.
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According to GlobalData’s company profile on AeroVironment, Precision imaging drones was a key innovation area identified from patents. AeroVironment's grant share as of January 2024 was 49%. Grant share is based on the ratio of number of grants to total number of patents.
Motor assembly with reinforced hub to prevent propeller damage
A recently granted patent (Publication Number: US11873074B2) discloses a method and system for reducing the possibility of damage to a motor caused by a propeller ground strike. The method involves applying a bending moment to a propeller, transmitting it to a rotatable shaft of a motor, and limiting bending deformation of the shaft with a reinforcing contact between a first structure and a skid surface of a rotatable hub as the shaft bends. This contact helps reduce the impact of a ground strike on the motor during rotation.
The system described in the patent includes a rotatable hub coupled to a rotatable shaft, a motor connected to the hub through the shaft, and a first structure with a skid face for reinforcing contact with the hub's skid surface. The design aims to limit bending deformation of the shaft by ensuring contact between the first structure and the skid surface as the shaft bends. By incorporating features like opposing radial hub wings and a circumferential skid surface spaced apart by a gap distance, the system enhances the protection of the motor from potential damage during propeller ground strikes. Additionally, the system includes a channel for seating the propeller onto the shaft, ensuring the bending moment is effectively transmitted to the motor and reinforcing contact is maintained between the first structure and the skid surface.
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