Aerofex, the developer of a revolutionary thrust vectoring technology for VTOL UAVs, is a trusted and valued supplier partner on Unmanned Systems Technology.
As a continued partner, UST is proud to spotlight Aerofex’s unique solutions and capabilities via the company’s supplier profile, which has been created in collaboration with their team. The Silver profile showcases their thrust vectoring propulsors (TVPs), which allow VTOL drone manufacturers to scale beyond current limitations and unlock a new generation of unmanned aviation applications such as heavy-lift cargo drones, UAM (urban air mobility) and more.
Read on to find out more:
Aerofex’s disruptive technology breaks through the limitations of traditional multirotor propulsion while addressing the issues inherent in other methods of thrust vectoring. The company’s thrust vectoring propulsors (TVPs) pivot the rotor assembly through the center of thrust, without needing to move the engine. Steering the thrust in this way provides a number of advantages:
Stability – By pivoting through the center of thrust, unwanted rotations and instabilities are reduced, making the aircraft easier to control.
Longevity – Removing the need to move the engine reduces stress and potential failure points.
Simplicity – Aerofex’s revolutionary design reduces the amount of hydraulics and moving parts such as actuators, resulting in a less complex system that is more reliable and easier to maintain.
Control – Differential motor control makes responsiveness to inputs slower as the size of the drone increases. With Aerofex thrust vectoring technology, adjustments translate to attitude changes almost instantly, vastly improving the stability and maneuverability of the aircraft. The system is highly scalable, working equally well on large and small platforms.
Efficiency – Thrust vectoring does away with the need for constantly changing motor speeds, making it much more energy-efficient and leading to longer flight times.
Aerofex thrust vectoring solutions are available in three main configurations. All can be provided in either pusher or puller arrangements, and can be mounted to the airframe in any orientation.
Open
- Simple & lightweight single-axis vectoring
- Ideal for multicopters and hybrid VTOL
- Pointing +/- 23˚ about the tilt axis
- 3,600 RPM max rotational speed in either direction
- 400 ft-lbs (542 N-m) max torque
- Up to 50″ (127 cm) propeller diameter
- Open TVP
Ducted
- Powerful single-axis vectoring
- Ideal for VTOL bicopters and multicopters
- Pointing +/- 22˚ about the tilt axis
- 4,000 RPM max rotational speed in either direction
- 510 ft-bs (691 N-m) max torque
- Up to 66″ (168 cm) propeller diameter
- Optional variable thrust propeller
- Optional gyroscopic precession compensation
- TVC Propulsor
Nested
- Powerful fully gimbaled vectoring
- Ideal for to tail-sitters and tailless aircraft
- Pointing +/- 20˚ in any direction about the nominal thrust axis
- 4,000 RPM max rotational speed in either direction
- 510 ft-lbs (691 N-m) max torque
- Up to 56″ (142 cm) propeller diameter
- Optional variable thrust propeller
- Optional gyroscopic precession compensation
To find out more about Aerofex and their thrust vectoring propulsors for VTOL drones, please visit their profile page:
https://www.unmannedsystemstechnology.com/company/aerofex/
