Textron Inc.
Multi-rotor noise control by automated distribution propulsion

Abstract:

A method of reducing noise generated by a tilt-rotor aircraft includes transitioning the tilt-rotor aircraft into an airplane mode from a helicopter mode, and reducing a speed of a plurality of rotor blades of a first pair of rotors of the tilt-rotor aircraft to be less than a speed of a plurality of rotor blades of a second pair of rotors that are positioned forward of and in-line with the first pair of rotors. A flight control system configured to reduce a noise level of a tilt-rotor aircraft includes a flight control computer comprising a processor, a propulsion system communicatively coupled to the flight control computer, a first pair of rotors and a second pair of rotors communicatively coupled with the flight control computer and the propulsion system. The processor is operable to implement a method that includes transitioning the tilt-rotor aircraft into an airplane mode from a helicopter mode, and reducing a speed and/or pitch of a plurality of rotor blades of the first pair of rotors to be less than a speed and/or pitch of a plurality of rotor blades of the second pair of rotors that are positioned forward of and in-line with the first pair of rotors.