Safran has patented an aircraft design with a unique locking system for propeller-driven motors. The system allows limited rotational movement between motor assemblies, switching from engaged to free configuration based on torque levels. This innovation enhances safety and control during operation. GlobalData’s report on Safran gives a 360-degree view of the company including its patenting strategy. Buy the report here.
Smarter leaders trust GlobalData
According to GlobalData’s company profile on Safran, Photovoltaic drones was a key innovation area identified from patents. Safran's grant share as of April 2024 was 67%. Grant share is based on the ratio of number of grants to total number of patents.
Aircraft propeller locking system for rotation movement control
A recently granted patent (Publication Number: US11970261B2) discloses an innovative locking system for an aircraft's primary propeller, designed to limit the rotational movement of motor assemblies to a predetermined angular sector. The system includes a housing and an indexing element that can switch between engaged and free configurations based on the rotational torque applied by the motor. This locking mechanism ensures that the assemblies can only move in translation relative to each other when in the rest position, with the predetermined angular sector being less than 5°.
Furthermore, the patent details additional features such as the use of a rolling element as the indexing element, a thrust mechanism generated during propeller driving to prevent movement from service to rest position, and a return device with a support spring and calibration screw to control the stiffness. The indexing element's insertion direction, the configuration for leaving the rest position, and the possibility of multiple housings and indexing elements based on the number of propeller blades are also described in the patent claims. These innovative features aim to enhance the safety and efficiency of aircraft operations by providing a reliable locking system for the propeller assemblies, ensuring controlled movement and positioning during operation.
To know more about GlobalData’s detailed insights on Safran, buy the report here.
Data Insights
From
The gold standard of business intelligence.
Blending expert knowledge with cutting-edge technology, GlobalData’s unrivalled proprietary data will enable you to decode what’s happening in your market. You can make better informed decisions and gain a future-proof advantage over your competitors.
GlobalData, the leading provider of industry intelligence, provided the underlying data, research, and analysis used to produce this article.
GlobalData Patent Analytics tracks bibliographic data, legal events data, point in time patent ownerships, and backward and forward citations from global patenting offices. Textual analysis and official patent classifications are used to group patents into key thematic areas and link them to specific companies across the world’s largest industries.
