US 11,987,374 B2
Systems and methods for driving fan blades of an engine
Fong Shi, Clyde Hill, WA (US)
Assigned to The Boeing Company, Chicago, IL (US)
Filed by THE BOEING COMPANY, Chicago, IL (US)
Filed on Sep. 10, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/471,277.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/142,527, filed on Jan. 28, 2021.
Prior Publication US 2022/0234749 A1, Jul. 28, 2022
Int. Cl. B64D 27/24 (2024.01); B64D 31/06 (2024.01); F02C 9/16 (2006.01)
CPC B64D 31/06 (2013.01) [B64D 27/24 (2013.01); F02C 9/16 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A system for driving a fan of an engine of an aircraft, the system comprising:
an electric motor operatively coupled to a drive axle of the fan, wherein the electric motor comprises:
a housing defining an internal chamber;
a stator within the internal chamber, wherein the stator comprises windings and one or more cores; and
a rotor encircling the stator including the windings and the one or more cores within the internal chamber,
wherein a portion of the drive axle is coupled to the rotor,
wherein the one or more cores are disposed between opposed rims of the rotor,
wherein each of the rims comprises an outer wall facing the one or more cores, and one or more magnets facing the one or more cores, and
wherein the one or more magnets are flush with the outer wall; and
a control unit including one more processors in communication with the electric motor,
wherein the control unit is configured to operate the electric motor to rotate the fan.