A cyclorotor, cycloidal rotor, cycloidal propeller or cyclogiro, is a fluid propulsion device that converts shaft power into the acceleration of a fluid using a rotating axis perpendicular to the direction of fluid motion. It uses several blades with a spanwise axis parallel to the axis of rotation and perpendicular to the direction of fluid motion. These blades are cyclically pitched twice per revolution to produce force (thrust or lift) in any direction normal to the axis of rotation. Cyclorotors are used for propulsion, lift, and control on air and water vehicles. An aircraft using cyclorotors as the primary source of lift, propulsion, and control is known as a cyclogyro or cyclocopter. A unique aspect is that it can change the magnitude and direction of thrust without the need of tilting any aircraft structures. The patented application,[1][2][3] used on ships with particular actuation mechanisms both mechanical or hydraulic, is named after German company Voith Turbo.
- ^ US Expired US3241618A, Wolfgang Baer, "Rotary blade propeller with protection against overload", issued 22 March 1966, assigned to J. M. Voith GmbH
- ^ US Expired US4752258A, Josef Hochleitner & Harald Gross, "Device for controlling a cycloid propeller for watercraft", issued 21 June 1988, assigned to Siemens AG and J. M. Voith GmbH
- ^ US Withdrawn DE3214015A1, Prof Dr Rainer, "Voith-Schneider perpendicular propeller with blades which can be orientated in the longitudinal direction of the ship"