Ducted rotor blade tip extension
A rotor system is provided in one example embodiment and may include a rotor duct; at least one rotor blade, wherein the at least one rotor blade comprises a tip end; and a tip extension affixed at the tip end of the at least one rotor blade, wherein the tip extension comprises a plurality of flexible elements and the rotor blade has a fixed extended length based on the tip extension. The tip extension may provide a clearance distance between the tip extension and the rotor duct.
1. A rotor system comprising:
a rotor duct;
at least one rotor blade, wherein the at least one rotor blade comprises a tip end; and
a tip extension affixed at the tip end of the at least one rotor blade, wherein the tip extension comprises a plurality of flexible elements and the rotor blade has a fixed extended length based on the tip extension,
wherein the tip extension covers an entirety of an outboard surface of the tip end and a cross-section of the tip extension comprises an airfoil shape.
2. The rotor system of claim 1 , wherein the tip extension provides a clearance distance between the tip extension and the rotor duct.
3. The rotor system of claim 1 , wherein the flexible elements are flexible bristles that are fused together along an inboard end of the tip extension.
4. The rotor system of claim 1 , wherein the flexible elements are flexible bristles that are banded together along an inboard end of the tip extension.
5. The rotor system of claim 4 , wherein the flexible bristles are banded together using a sealant.
6. The rotor system of claim 1 , wherein the tip extension has a shape that matches a shape of the at least one rotor blade.
7. The rotor system of claim 1 , wherein the tip extension is affixed to the tip end of the rotor blade with an adhesive.
8. An aircraft comprising:
a fuselage; and
at least one rotor system, the at least one rotor system comprising:
a rotor duct;
at least one rotor blade, wherein the at least one rotor blade comprises a tip end; and
a tip extension affixed at the tip end of the at least one rotor blade, wherein the tip extension comprises a plurality of flexible elements and the rotor blade has a fixed extended length based on the tip extension extension,
wherein the tip extension covers an entirety of an outboard surface of the tip end and a cross-section of the tip extension comprises an airfoil shape.
9. The aircraft of claim 8 , wherein the tip extension provides a clearance distance between the tip extension and the rotor duct.
10. The aircraft of claim 8 , wherein the flexible elements are flexible bristles that are fused together along an inboard end of the tip extension.
11. The aircraft of claim 8 , wherein the flexible elements are flexible bristles that are banded together along an inboard end of the tip extension.
12. The aircraft of claim 11 , wherein the flexible bristles are banded together using a sealant.
13. The aircraft of claim 8 , wherein the tip extension has a shape that matches a shape of the at least one rotor blade.
14. The aircraft of claim 8 , wherein the tip extension is affixed to the tip end of the rotor blade with an adhesive.
15. The aircraft of claim 8 , wherein the aircraft is a vertical take-off and landing aircraft.