Michigan Patent of the Month – August 2021
An axial modulating mechanism is conceptually made of a threaded bolt and nut. In this concept, a bolt represents a rotating shaft, and the nut an axial modulator. As the axial modulator, or “nut” is spun above and beyond the rotation in the rotating shaft, the axial motion can be deployed to do useful work. Cool Mechatronics has deployed this conceptual design, creating a gear-driven axial modulating mechanism for use in propellers.
Using the conceptual axial modulating mechanism, Cool Mechatronics has developed a way to control and manipulate the pitch of the blades of a fan or propeller. The shaft is built with a rotor thread to emulate the thread of a bolt. The blade hub is made to allow the axial modulator to move backwards and forwards within the hub, while the rotor thread allows the axial modulator to pass within the blade hub. The controllable pitch blades interact with the axial modulator, who’s motion causes the blades to rotate. The pitch manipulator is connected to the axial modulator. These manipulators are configured to force the blades to rotate as the manipulator is forced in and out of predefined blade hubs. Picture a gear forcing the rotation of the blades as the voids and teeth fit together and push each other away. When a fan or turbine is operated under varying speed, it’s inefficient – unless the pitch of the fan’s blade is varied at the same time. Some airplanes and large ships manage to achieve a varied pitch using hydraulics – but still inefficiently. This gear-driven mechanism overcomes the inefficiencies seen by hydraulic methods. It offers use in anything with propellers – turbines, automotive cooling fans, AC fans, motors, aeronautic propellers, and any industrial fans controllable pitch.
Are you developing new technology for an existing application? Did you know your development work could be eligible for the R&D Tax Credit and you can receive up to 14% back on your expenses? Even if your development isn’t successful your work may still qualify for R&D credits (i.e. you don’t need to have a patent to qualify). To find out more, please contact a Swanson Reed R&D Specialist today or check out our free online eligibility test.
Who We Are:
Swanson Reed is one of the U.S.’ largest Specialist R&D tax advisory firms. We manage all facets of the R&D tax credit program, from claim preparation and audit compliance to claim disputes.
Swanson Reed regularly hosts free webinars and provides free IRS CE and CPE credits for CPAs. For more information please visit us at www.swansonreed.com/webinars or contact your usual Swanson Reed representative.
