公开(公告)号：US20180354619A1

公开(公告)日：2018-12-13

申请号：US15620310

申请日：2017-06-12

Applicant: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.

Inventor： Levi Charles Hefner ,  Danielle Lynn Moore ,  Andrea Chavez ,  Kirk Landon Groninga ,  John Lloyd ,  Daniel Bryan Robertson

IPC: B64C39/02 ,  B64C29/02

CPC classification number: B64C39/024 ,  B64C2201/102 ,  B64C2201/108

Abstract: An Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) has a fuselage, a rotor system, and a wing configured for selective positioning during flight of the UAV to a fully deployed position, a fully stowed position, and to positions between the fully deployed position and the fully stowed position.

公开(公告)号：US10106253B2

公开(公告)日：2018-10-23

申请号：US15252916

申请日：2016-08-31

Applicant: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.

Inventor： Kirk Landon Groninga ,  Daniel Bryan Robertson

IPC: B64C27/82 ,  B64C29/00 ,  B64C27/28 ,  B64C27/52 ,  B64C39/00

Abstract: In some embodiments, an aircraft includes a fuselage having a forward portion and an aft portion. First and second ducted fans are supported by the forward portion of the fuselage. The first and second ducted fans are tiltable relative to the fuselage between a generally horizontal orientation, in a vertical takeoff and landing mode, and a generally vertical orientation, in a forward flight mode. A tailboom having an aft station extends from the aft portion of the fuselage. A cross-flow fan is disposed in the aft station of the tailboom and is operable to generate a pitch control moment.

公开(公告)号：US10059428B2

公开(公告)日：2018-08-28

申请号：US15233927

申请日：2016-08-10

Applicant: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.

Inventor： Daniel Bryan Robertson ,  Kirk Landon Groninga ,  Frank Bradley Stamps

IPC: B64C3/10 ,  B64C39/02 ,  B64C9/00

CPC classification number: B64C39/024 ,  B64C3/16 ,  B64C11/006 ,  B64C37/02 ,  B64C39/005 ,  B64C2201/021 ,  B64C2201/108 ,  B64C2201/126 ,  B64D5/00

Abstract: An inflight connection system for aircraft having at least one wing with a wingtip includes, for each aircraft, a primary connector selectively extendable from the wingtip, an alignment connector selectively extendable from the wingtip and a male and female connector assembly disposed proximate the wingtip. The primary connectors extend a greater distance from the wingtips than the alignment connectors such that the primary connectors form a first connection between the aircraft when the aircraft are flying in a connection pattern. Thereafter, retraction of the primary connectors reduces wingtip separation of the aircraft such that the alignment connectors form a second connection between the aircraft establishing coarse alignment therebetween. Thereafter, retraction of the primary and alignment connectors further reduces wingtip separation of the aircraft such that the male and female connector assemblies form a third connection between the aircraft establishing fine alignment therebetween.

公开(公告)号：US20180057161A1

公开(公告)日：2018-03-01

申请号：US15251110

申请日：2016-08-30

Applicant: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.

Inventor： Kirk Landon Groninga ,  Daniel Bryan Robertson ,  Frank Bradley Stamps

IPC: B64C29/02 ,  B64C27/24 ,  B64C11/00 ,  B64D27/24 ,  B64C27/50 ,  B64C25/52 ,  B64C39/08

Abstract: A tail sitter aircraft includes a fuselage having a forward portion and an aft portion. The forward portion of the fuselage includes first and second rotor stations. A first rotor assembly is positioned proximate the first rotor station. A second rotor assembly is positioned proximate the second rotor station. A tailboom assembly extends from the aft portion of the fuselage and includes a plurality of landing members. A pusher propeller extends from the tailboom assembly. In a vertical takeoff and landing mode, the first and second rotor assemblies rotate about the fuselage to provide vertical thrust. In a forward flight mode, rotation of the pusher propeller provides forward thrust and the first and second rotor assemblies are non-rotatable about the fuselage forming a dual wing configuration to provide lift.