The traditional helicopter drivetrain involves an array of components including transmissions, gearboxes, drive shafts, long tail booms, and counter-torque mechanisms. This complexity introduces multiple potential points of failure within the system.
Engines channel thrust through tubes, which is then expelled from nozzles to generate the torque required to power the rotor blades. This system removes the need for transmissions, gearboxes, driveshafts, long tail booms, and counter-torque devices.
A NEW ERA FOR
SAFETY
CAPABILITY ECONOMICS
REVOLUTIONARY HELICOPTER THRUST DRIVE SYSTEM
Significantly Lowers Costs & Enhances Safety
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Eliminates transmission, tail rotor, gearboxes, drive shafts, and tail rotor structure, along with their associated weight, costs, and critical points of failure.
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Improved power-to-weight ratio; increases payload capacity and available space.
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Offers engine redundancy for enhanced safety.
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Eliminates tail rotor dangers such as boom strikes and tail strikes.
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Substantial reduction in operating, maintenance, and manufacturing costs.
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Compatible with existing regulations, pilot skills, and takeoff/landing facilities.
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Improved autorotation capability due to reduced friction from the elimination of the mechanical drivetrain.
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Additional time to reduce collective pitch during autorotation due to the enhanced rotor inertia.
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Significantly quieter and more efficient than previous reaction drive helicopters.
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Decreases cabin noise, vibration, and heat from the engine.
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Utilizes components based on existing and proven technologies.
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Provides the potential for significant speed increases.
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Scalable design, adaptable for small drones to heavy-lift helicopters.
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Likely to result in lower insurance costs over time.
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U.S. and European patents issued; additional patents pending.
For more information, visit www.ThrustDrive.com
Contact: dpdewalch@dewalch.com or 281-813-8292
OUR VISION
Since the inception of rotorcraft, the industry has pursued the dream of creating a simple, safe, and affordable vertical takeoff and landing aircraft. The Thrust Drive System turns that dream into reality.
THE FUTURE OF VERTICAL FLIGHT
Innovative design simplifies helicopter technology, reducing the cost and complexity associated with helicopters.
PROPULSION SYSTEM
PROPULSIVE EFFICIENCY
Jet thrust is directly converted into rotor shaft power
Reduces weight, power loss, complexity and points of failure created by the conventional helicopter transmission and tail rotor.
This small and lightweight turbojet engine delivers a high volume of thrust at low pressure through the velocity stack positioned at the inlet of the thrust tube. The thrust tube channels airflow several feet outward from the rotor shaft before it passes through a 90-degree elbow. The thrust then exits the elbow, generating the torque required to drive the rotor shaft.
Thrust Drive LLC thrustdrive.com Introduction The Thrust Drive System represents a significant advancement in helicopter propulsion technology, offering notable improvements in safety, performance, and operational efficiency. By reimagining traditional helicopter mechanics, this system addresses longstanding challenges associated with conventional drive systems.
This illustrates the outlet where jet thrust exits the airfoil-shaped fairing, generating rotational torque to drive the rotor shaft.
This small and lightweight turbojet engine delivers a high volume of thrust at low pressure through the velocity stack positioned at the inlet of the thrust tube. The thrust tube channels airflow several feet outward from the rotor shaft before it passes through a 90-degree elbow. The thrust then exits the elbow, generating the torque required to drive the rotor shaft.