Abstract:
In various embodiments, a skewed Halbach array rotor as disclosed herein includes (1) a plurality of magnets arranged and oriented relative to adjacent ones of the magnets to form a substantially cylindrical Halbach array the combined magnetic field of which is concentrated on one side of the array, wherein the substantially cylindrical Halbach array has a rotational axis and each of at least a subset of the magnets is oriented in a fixed position such that the longitudinal axis of the magnet is at a prescribed skew angle to the rotational axis; and (2) a retaining structure adjacent to at least a subset of the magnets comprising the plurality of magnets and configured to hold one or more of said subset of magnets in place.
Abstract:
A first measurement of a magnet that rotates is received from a first set of Hall sensors in a first component. A second measurement is received from a second set of Hall sensors in a second component where the first component and the second component are in a plane that is parallel to an axis of rotation associated with the magnet. An angle associated with the magnet is determined based at least in part on the first measurement and the second measurement.
Abstract:
For each cell in a plurality of cells, a first cell characteristic and a second cell characteristic are received in order to obtain a plurality of cell characteristics. For each cell in the plurality of cells, a batch compatibility number that is associated with a number of compatible cells that that cell is compatible with is determined based at least in part on the plurality of cell characteristics. The plurality of cells is sorted according to the batch compatibility numbers in order to obtain a sorted list of cells. A list of compatible cells to include in a battery is generated, including by evaluating the plurality of cells according to the order specified by the sorted list of cells and beginning with a cell with the lowest batch compatibility number.
Abstract:
A distributed parachute system is disclosed. In various embodiments, a parachute is at least partially deployed along one or more dimensions. A deployment mechanism configured to deploy the parachute is provided. The distributed parachute system is configured to be deployed in an aircraft that comprises a channel oriented along the one or more dimensions.
Abstract:
Described embodiments provide a rotor mounting boom assembly for a personal aircraft. The rotor mounting boom assembly includes a rotor mounting boom releasably attachable to a wing of the personal aircraft, one or more vertical lift rotors, and one or more rotor controller assemblies. Controller assemblies for each rotor are positioned on the rotor mounting booms such that downwash from the rotor causes increased airflow across the controller assembly to cool the controller assembly components. A rotor controller enclosure includes an air inlet and an air outlet to allow airflow through the enclosure to cool the controller components. The air inlet is positioned relative to the path of the rotor blades such that the downwash from the rotor that flows into the air inlet is maximized. The structure of the enclosure includes features for increasing the airflow through the enclosure.
Abstract:
A battery includes a metal can having a bottom, a top opening, and four sides. The battery also includes a plurality of cells stacked inside the metal can, wherein at least two opposing sides of the four sides of the metal can are biased inward against the plurality of cells to provide compression.
Abstract:
Techniques to deploy a parachute are disclosed. In various embodiments, a first projectile is configured to be propelled in a first direction, causing the parachute to be deployed. A second projectile configured to be propelled in a second direction is coupled to a line tethered to the parachute in such a way that a force in a direction opposite the first direction is applied to the line of the parachute when the second projectile is propelled in the second direction.
Abstract:
A system which includes a plurality of cylindrical battery cells that have a uniform orientation, where each of the plurality of cylindrical battery cells has a first planar surface and a second planar surface. There is also a thermal management and structural (TMS) plate that is disposed at the second planar surface of the plurality of cylindrical battery cells and a bonding plate that is disposed at the first planar surface of the plurality of cylindrical battery cells. At least some electrical connections between the plurality of cylindrical battery cells and the bonding plate include ribbon bonding.
Abstract:
Thrust values for motors in an aircraft are generated where each flight controller in a plurality of flight controllers generates a thrust value for each motor in a plurality of motors using an optimization problem with a single solution. Each flight controller in the plurality of flight controllers passes one of the generated thrust values to a corresponding motor in the plurality of motors, where other generated thrust values for that flight controller terminate at that flight controller. The plurality of motors perform the passed thrust values.
Abstract:
A pylon is coupled to a wing. A tiltrotor, having a range of motion, is coupled to the wing via the pylon, such that the tiltrotor is aft of the wing. The tiltrotor includes a redundant drivetrain, including a plurality of motors and a plurality of motor controllers, that drives one or more blades included in the tiltrotor.