Embraer has been granted a patent for an aircraft control system that utilizes a thrust propeller variable pitch actuator. This system maintains a set electric current to the propeller motor by adjusting torque, rather than focusing on propeller speed, enhancing efficiency in variable pitch propeller operation. GlobalData’s report on Embraer 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 Embraer, Photovoltaic drones was a key innovation area identified from patents. Embraer's grant share as of July 2024 was 63%. Grant share is based on the ratio of number of grants to total number of patents.
Variable pitch actuator for electric motor-driven propellers
The granted patent US12071219B2 outlines an innovative aircraft control system designed for variable pitch propellers powered by electric motors. Central to this system is an actuator that adjusts the propeller's pitch based on the current drawn by the electric motor, which is supplied by a polyphase alternating current generated by an alternator connected to a thermal engine, such as a gas turbine. The alternator's output frequency is linked to the rotational speed of a gearbox output shaft, which in turn influences the motor's rotation speed and the propeller's performance. The system is engineered to maintain the current at a predetermined set point without the necessity of maintaining a constant propeller rotation speed, enhancing operational efficiency.
The control method described in the patent involves several key components, including a current sensor that monitors the supply current and a controller that adjusts the pitch actuator based on this sensed current. The system allows for manual input of the set point through a thrust control mechanism, and it incorporates features such as hysteresis and closed-loop feedback to optimize performance. The aircraft's design integrates these elements to ensure that the variable pitch propeller operates effectively in response to the electric motor's performance, thereby improving the overall control and efficiency of the aircraft's propulsion system.
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GlobalData Patent Analytics tracks bibliographic data, legal events data, point in time patent ownerships, and backward and forward citations from global patenting offices. Textual analysis and official patent classifications are used to group patents into key thematic areas and link them to specific companies across the world’s largest industries.
