Rotating wing aircraft with tip-driven rotor and rotor guide-ring
View Patent ↗A helicopter includes a main rotor guided and protected in minor impacts by a guide-ring. In selected embodiments, the rotor is powered by an electric motor employing a magnetic field generator carried by the main rotor and stator coils installed on the guide-ring. The helicopter's main rotor thus effectively functions as the rotor of the electric power plant of the helicopter. In selected embodiments, the rotor's blades are arranged so as to create an opening in the center of the rotor, allowing pilot ejection or deployment of a parachute capable of safely lowering the helicopter in case of an emergency.
1. A helicopter comprising:
a. a fuselage;
b. a first rotor guide-ring;
c. a plurality of first supports attaching the first rotor guide-ring to the fuselage;
d. a first main rotor being rotatably carried by the first guide-ring; and
e. an electric motor capable of rotating the first main rotor, wherein the first guide-ring comprises a circular monorail, and the first main rotor comprises rollers movably disposed on said monorail.