Tiltrotor

The term tiltrotor indicates a Aéronef provided with tilting rotors, which thus combines the vertical rise of a Hélicoptère with the cruising speed and the payload of a Avion. It is one of the types of vertical plane on takeoff and landing.

Of Anglo-Saxon origin, this term was created starting from the words tilt (slope) and rotor (Rotor, taken in the direction of the rotor of a helicopter). There does not exist equivalent simple word in the French language and the translation rightest is “tilting rotor”. However, it was sometimes translated by convertible , which is a more general term.

Overall picture

As its name indicates it, a plane tiltrotor uses swivelling engines called proprotors . For the vertical flight (takeoff and landing), the proprotors are directed in order to direct their push to the bottom (the axis of the engines is vertical), allowing rising. In this operating process the apparatus is practically identical to a helicopter. As the apparatus acquires speed, the proprotors is slowly tilted forwards, until reaching a horizontal axis, it is the first phase of transition. When this attitude is reached, the wing provides the bearing pressure and the high output of the wing helps the tiltrotor to reach its cruising speed. In this mode, the apparatus is primarily a plane with Turbopropulseur.

. Moreover, the system of propulsion of a tiltrotor is more complex than that of a traditional helicopter because of the imposing articulated nacelles and the addition of wings. However, in certain situations its cruising speed higher than that of a helicopter can be determining. Indeed, speed and more still the response time is the main features considered by the armed forces being equipped with such apparatuses.

The tiltrotors are of share their design less noisy than the helicopters in their displacements forwards (in aircraft configuration). It is probable that this, combined at their increased speed, supports their use in particular in the urban areas for regular commercial practices and reduces the risks of detection during military uses. In hovering and with equal size, the tiltrotors are on the other hand as noisy as helicopters.

The altitude of cruising of a tiltrotor is approximately the double of that of a helicopter, then that it is about 6000 meters instead of 3000 meters. This characteristic allows the tiltrotor a certain number of uses hitherto a41dernier $c-b1, e,10 $c-b26 ce $c-b16 $c-b43, bn,84 reserved for the only aircraft with aerofoil fixes, with in more for advantage of doing without track.

N the other hand, its payload is considerably reduced when this one takes off of a high altitude. As comparison, and while referring to their respective flight manuals, a V-22 Osprey of: 22600 kg with the same payload as a helicopter UH-60L Black Hawk of: 9950 kg when both take off of a zone located: 3000 m above the sea level.

History of the planes of the tiltrotor type

Research on the technology of the tiltrotor started in the Années 1940, with the Beautiful XV-3. Built in 1953 by Beautiful Aircraft Corporation, this experimental plane flew until 1966, proving the fundamental solidity of the concept of tiltrotor and collecting data allowing of the technical improvements for future designs. In 1972, thanks to the financings of NASA and the army of the the United States, Bell Helicopter Textron began the development of the XV-15, an experimental two-motor plane equipped with tiltrotors. Two apparatuses were built to validate the design of the tiltrotor and to study the possible outlets for military and civil applications.

In 1981, using the experience gained on the XV-3 and the XV-15, Beautiful and Boeing started to develop the V-22 Osprey, a transport aircraft tiltrotor intended for the American army, which was brought into service in 2005. In collaboration with Agusta Westland, Bell develops then BA609, an apparatus of commercial transport which should enter in service by 2010. The company also developed a Drone using the tiltrotor: the TR918 Eagle Eye.

Beautiful and Boeing further went even and made a conceptual study of a four-engined plane equipped with tiltrotor (QTR) for a program of the American army (Joint Heavy Lift). The QTR is an increased version of V22 provided with two fixed wings out of tandem and four rotors.

See too

Internal bonds

Aircraft on vertical takeoff and landing
Beautiful-Boeing V-22 Osprey
Beautiful/Agusta BA609

External bonds

the invention of first Tiltrotor of the history by the brothers Henri and Armand Dufaux (1907-09)

References

Random links: