公开(公告)号：US11613355B2

公开(公告)日：2023-03-28

申请号：US16920017

申请日：2020-07-02

Applicant: Bell Textron Inc.

Inventor： Carlos Alexander Fenny ,  Rohn Lee Olson ,  Andrew James Zahasky

IPC: B64C39/06 ,  B64D27/24 ,  B64C29/02 ,  B64C11/28 ,  B64C27/50 ,  B64C3/16 ,  B64C3/10 ,  B64C27/08 ,  B64C29/00 ,  B64C27/12 ,  B64D31/00 ,  B64C1/06 ,  B64C39/02 ,  B64C39/00 ,  B64C1/00 ,  B64D27/02

Abstract: An aircraft includes a closed wing, a fuselage at least partially disposed within a perimeter of the closed wing, and one or more spokes coupling the closed wing to the fuselage. A source of electric power is disposed within or attached to the closed wing, fuselage or one or more spokes. A plurality of electric motors are disposed within or attached to the one or more spokes in a distributed configuration. Each electric motor is connected to the source of electric power. A propeller is operably connected to each of the electric motors and proximate to a leading edge of the one or more spokes. One or more processors are communicably coupled to the plurality of electric motors. A longitudinal axis of the fuselage is substantially vertical in vertical takeoff and landing and stationary flight, and substantially in a direction of a forward flight in a forward flight mode.

公开(公告)号：US20200339260A1

公开(公告)日：2020-10-29

申请号：US16920017

申请日：2020-07-02

Applicant: Bell Textron Inc.

Inventor： Carlos Alexander Fenny ,  Rohn Lee Olson ,  Andrew James Zahasky

IPC: B64C39/06 ,  B64C11/28 ,  B64C27/50 ,  B64C29/00 ,  B64C3/10 ,  B64C27/08 ,  B64C27/12 ,  B64D27/24 ,  B64D31/00 ,  B64C29/02 ,  B64C1/06 ,  B64C39/02

Abstract: An aircraft includes a closed wing, a fuselage at least partially disposed within a perimeter of the closed wing, and one or more spokes coupling the closed wing to the fuselage. A source of electric power is disposed within or attached to the closed wing, fuselage or one or more spokes. A plurality of electric motors are disposed within or attached to the one or more spokes in a distributed configuration. Each electric motor is connected to the source of electric power. A propeller is operably connected to each of the electric motors and proximate to a leading edge of the one or more spokes. One or more processors are communicably coupled to the plurality of electric motors. A longitudinal axis of the fuselage is substantially vertical in vertical takeoff and landing and stationary flight, and substantially in a direction of a forward flight in a forward flight mode.

公开(公告)号：US20200156782A1

公开(公告)日：2020-05-21

申请号：US16717524

申请日：2019-12-17

Applicant: Bell Textron Inc.

Inventor： Carlos Alexander Fenny ,  Rohn Lee Olson

IPC: B64C29/02 ,  B64C39/02 ,  B64C1/06 ,  B64C39/06 ,  B64D31/00 ,  B64D27/24 ,  B64C27/12 ,  B64C27/08 ,  B64C29/00 ,  B64C11/28 ,  B64C3/10

Abstract: The present invention includes a distributed propulsion system for a craft that comprises a frame, a plurality of hydraulic or electric motors disposed within or attached to the frame in a distributed configuration; a propeller operably connected to each of the hydraulic or electric motors, a source of hydraulic or electric power disposed within or attached to the frame and coupled to each of the disposed within or attached to the frame, wherein the source of hydraulic or electric power provides sufficient energy density for the craft to attain and maintain operations of the craft, a controller coupled to each of the hydraulic or electric motors, and one or more processors communicably coupled to each controller that control an operation and speed of the plurality of hydraulic or electric motors.