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Eurocopter X3 hybrid

Eurocopter has filed a US patent application for a hybrid helicopter. Perhaps we're seeing some features of the secretive X3 or X4 development programs?

Just had a look at the patent a smaller version would look like an Auto Gyro built properly could be good for utility work or is it a pipedream

From the latest edition of Rotorhub magazine:

Quote:

We now know that Eurocopter is making a concerted effort ... RH understands that the company will fly a high-speed demonstrator later this year ... We now understand that the X3 is a compound design that will be unveiled later this year as one of Eurocopter's two 2010 first flights.

I/C

Do I remember sometime back in the early 80s a story about the Israelis working on a jump start gyroplane?

Another article:

HELI-EXPO: R-R lifts veil on Eurocopter "X3" high-speed prototype - The DEW Line

http://www.flightglobal.com/blogs/as...er_hyrbrid.JPG

Interesting that these images have swept wings (and propellors - strange mix). This may just be to cover themselves for future development. Then again the technologies you need to consider transonic are swept tip blades and servo flaps (leading and/or trailing). We live in interesting times...

http://www.pprune.org/rotorheads/417...urocopter.html

Sikorsky's X5?

United States Patent ~ D614,559. April 27, 2010
CLAIM The ornamental design for a rotary-wing aircraft with a common dynamic system/backbone structure, as shown and described.

http://www.unicopter.com/Temporary/Sikorsky_D614559.gif

Just thinking out loud with no particular expertise in design here ...
The swept wings may just be a compromise between a good place for attaching wings to fuselage, and positioning of the engines for balance and noise reduction to the cabin.
You'd imagine all that wing area below the rotor would make it quite inefficient in the hover.
I guess it would use asymmetric thrust from the props for yaw control?
Interesting idea, and it looks rather cool too (important design feature there!)

I think it's simpler than that. In FW world, everytime the designers come up with some new, revolutionary concept, it necessarily must feature pusher props/jets, swept wings and canard configuration, purely to look futuristic. Looks like the "disease" has spread to helicopter world... Fortunately most of thse never leave the drawing board, or if they do, they become more convetnional :ok:

Quote:

Eurocopter to disclose ‘significant milestone’
AIN September 23, 2010

On Monday, Eurocopter is to disclose a “significant milestone in [its] innovation roadmap” during a media event at the helicopter manufacturer’s headquarters in Marignane, France. Industry observers believe the company could finally unveil its plans for a compound helicopter, which is known in the industry as the X3.

In 2008, Eurocopter filed a patent application at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office for “a rotorcraft [capable of] high speed and…long distances. The document took as an example a 16-seat rotorcraft that could fly more than 400 nm at 220 knots.

Another possibility is that Eurocopter could announce a Dauphin/EC 155 medium-twin helicopter replacement. Dubbed the X4, it was widely expected to be launched by June.

If any new helicopter is announced on Monday, it could very well feature fly-by-wire controls. In 2007, Eurocopter was talkative about developing FBW systems for civil helicopters.

However, more recently the company has become tight lipped and declined to give an update on the technology; a spokesperson told AIN that it is “too secret. Details of Eurocopter’s “significant milestone” will be covered in Tuesday’s issue of AINalerts.

..........
I/C

Eurocopter X3, photo from a french press article

Thanks for that ! No more T/R it seems. I wonder if the two antitorque "turboprops" add redundancy. Probably not as good for safety...

would 'pusher' props not have made more sense? - they would have allowed rotors running embark/disembark.

misterbonkers,

Two potential advantages of the side mounted pusher-props are;
~ They operate in cleaner air then the pusher prop does,
~ By using differential thrust the propeller under the advancing blades can contribute to forward thrust while still offsetting the some of the torque of the main rotor.

Here is the configuration as experimented with by B.J. Schramm on his Helicycle.

http://www.unicopter.com/Helicycle3.gif

Dave

iuuu growse:) looks like gang bang incident between EC-155, 175 and C-27J!

Woah. That is one fugly critter. :yuk:

A tad premature for the 1st April I think.

hm...is it just me, or this maschine shakes just a bit too much, acording to video:)

wow amazing!! i like this speed challenge!
it seems pretty ready for the market :)