TORC (Torque Operated Rotor Control) Technology
U.S. Pat. 12,134,467
TORC tech is a proprietary technology developed by Electron Flight LLC for electric VTOL (Vertical Takeoff and Landing) tilt-rotor aircraft and propulsion systems. TORC reduces mechanical complexity compared to conventional tilt-rotor mechanisms (which often rely on heavy actuators and linkages), making it suitable for a wide variety of applications in RC, drones, and larger eVTOL platforms.
Core Concept
- It enables tiltable rotors and variable pitch blades without traditional actuators, linkages, servos, or complex mechanical parts. This results in a much simpler, lower parts-count design that's more robust and reliable.
- Rotor orientation (tilt) and blade pitch are controlled passively by rotor torque.
- Transition between vertical (hover) and horizontal (forward flight) modes is achieved by reversing the motor direction.
- Simpler versions can use a bidirectional propeller.
Reverse Motor Direction To Transition Between Flight Modes...
Rotor orientation and blade pitch are controlled by rotor torque. Motor power is shut off, then direction is reversed to go from vertical to horizontal flight modes. Simpler configurations use a bidirectional propeller.
In "mass balanced" nacelles like the one shown in this animation, nacelle tilt and blade pitch change happen at minimum motor idle speed, and within one rotation. This means flight mode changes are nearly instantaneous and happen at very low power.
Simple Construction, Low Parts Count...
TORC technology provides tiltable rotors and variable pitch blades without requiring actuators, linkages or other complex mechanisms.
Smooth Transitions...
Even though each nacelle has only two fixed positions, smooth, gradual transitions are achieved by sequencing the mode change of individual nacelles or coordinated pairs rather than switching all rotors simultaneously.
Technology Demonstrator Bench Test...
Our first TORC prototype was a bench test stand. TORC technology has since been integrated into several successful flying platforms. This video demonstrates the system entering vertical or horizontal flight modes by reversing motor direction.
