Christopher Robin Mcfarland

US Patent:

20200081432, Mar 12, 2020

Filed:

Sep 6, 2018

Appl. No.:

16/123865

Inventors:

- Seattle WA, US
Christopher McFarland - Seattle WA, US

International Classification:

G05D 1/00
B64C 29/02
B64C 27/20
B64C 27/08
B64C 39/08
B64C 39/02
B64D 45/04
B64C 27/467
B64C 27/52

Abstract:

Systems and methods to improve controllability of an aerial vehicle responsive to degraded operational conditions are described. For example, one or more propeller blades of an aerial vehicle may be modifiable between two or more configurations. The configurations may include a low torque configuration suitable for normal operational conditions, and a high torque configuration suitable for degraded operational conditions. Various aspects or portions of a propeller blade may be modified to increase torque generated by the propeller blade due to drag or air resistance. The additional generated torque may then be used as a source of additional torque to improve controllability of the aerial vehicle responsive to degraded operational conditions.