Rotating Shroud for Rotator Blade Systems

Abstract

A system and method for improving the flight control and efficiency of an aerial vehicle. Many embodiments are directed to a rotor-shroud assembly system where a plurality of rotor blades are connected to the internal side of a shroud and are set up to pivot through the use of a pitching mechanism. The entire assembly is configured to rotate when attached to a motor.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A rotor-shroud assembly comprising:
 a central hub configured to rotate about a central axis,   a plurality of rotor blades circumferentially disposed on and movably connected to the central hub, wherein each of the plurality of rotor blades has a first end pivotably connected to the central hub and an elongated body extending outwardly from central hub towards a second end,   wherein the second end is pivotably connected to a shroud that circumscribes the plurality of rotor blades, wherein each of the plurality of rotor blades can rotate about an elongated axis extending between the first and second end and perpendicular to the pivot connection with the shroud and   wherein the shroud is configured to rotate with the rotation of the rotors about the central axis.   
     
     
         2 . The rotor-shroud assembly from  claim 1 , further comprising a pitching mechanism, wherein the pitching mechanism is connected to at least the first end of each of the plurality of rotor blades and adjusts the pitch of each of the rotor blades. 
     
     
         3 . The rotor-shroud assembly of  claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of rotor blades are removable. 
     
     
         4 . The rotor-shroud assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising a motor assembly connected to the central hub, wherein the motor assembly rotates the central hub, the rotor blades, and shroud. 
     
     
         5 . The rotor-shroud assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the shroud has a cross sectional profile of an airfoil such that the rotation of the shroud directs airflow towards each of the plurality of rotor blades. 
     
     
         6 . The rotor-shroud assembly of  claim 1 , wherein each of the rotor blades are connected to the shroud through a bearing. 
     
     
         7 . The rotor-shroud assembly of  claim 6 , wherein the bearing is disposed within a body of the shroud. 
     
     
         8 . The rotor-shroud assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the pitching mechanism is a swashless pitching mechanism. 
     
     
         9 . An aerial vehicle comprising:
 a body; and   a plurality of rotor-shroud assemblies connected to the body of the vehicle wherein each of the plurality of rotor-shroud assemblies comprise a central hub configured to rotate about a central axis,   a plurality of rotor blades circumferentially disposed on and movably connected to the central hub, wherein each of the plurality of rotor blades has a first end pivotably connected to the central hub and an elongated body extending outwardly from central hub towards a second end,   wherein the second end is pivotably connected to a shroud that circumscribes the plurality of rotor blades, wherein each of the plurality of rotor blades can rotate about an elongated axis extending between the first and second end and perpendicular to the pivot connection with the shroud and wherein the shroud is configured to rotate with the rotation of the rotors about the central axis.   
     
     
         10 . Aerial vehicle of  claim 9 , further comprising a pitching mechanism, wherein the pitching mechanism is connected to at least the first end of each of the plurality of rotor blades and adjusts the pitch of each of the rotor blades. 
     
     
         11 . Aerial vehicle of  claim 9 , wherein each of the plurality of rotor blades are removable. 
     
     
         12 . Aerial vehicle of  claim 9 , further comprising a motor assembly connected to the central hub, wherein the motor assembly rotates the central hub, the rotor blades, and shroud. 
     
     
         13 . Aerial vehicle of  claim 9 , wherein the shroud has a cross sectional profile of an airfoil such that the rotation of the shroud directs airflow towards each of the plurality of rotor blades. 
     
     
         14 . Aerial vehicle of  claim 9 , wherein each of the rotor blades are connected to the shroud through a bearing. 
     
     
         15 . The rotor-shroud assembly of  claim 14 , wherein the bearing is disposed within a body of the shroud. 
     
     
         16 . The rotor-shroud assembly of  claim 10 , wherein the pitching mechanism is a swashless pitching mechanism.