Abstract:
An aircraft is disclosed which is analogous to a tractor motor vehicle. In alternative fixed wing and helicopter embodiments, an airframe is adapted to transport different cargo modules. Some modules are adapted to carry freight and other modules are adapted to carry passengers. The aircraft arrives at a destination with an attached module, decouples from that module and attaches a different module to be transported to a different destination.
Abstract:
An aircraft for unmanned aviation is described. The aircraft includes an airframe, a pair of fins attached to a rear portion of the airframe, a pair of dihedral braces attached to a bottom portion of the airframe, a first thrust vectoring module and a second thrust vectoring module, and an electronics module. The electronics module provides commands to the two thrust vectoring modules. The two thrust vectoring modules are configured to provide lateral and longitudinal control to the aircraft by directly controlling a thrust vector for each of the pitch, the roll, and the yaw of the aircraft. The use of directly articulated electrical motors as thrust vectoring modules enables the aircraft to execute tight-radius turns over a wide range of airspeeds.
Abstract:
A vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) rotary-wing air-craft is sized and configured to match a payload container such as a standardized Joint Modular Intermodal Container (JMIC). The aircraft may be an Unmanned Air Vehicle (UAV) that is capable of autonomously engaging and disengaging the container so that the aircraft can pick up and drop off the JMIC with minimum human intervention.
Abstract:
An exemplary embodiment provides an air transport that has a scalloped aerodynamic underside that includes at least one depression. The depression is configured to receive at least an upper portion of a cargo pod to preclude an air passage way between an upper surface of a pod and the scalloped underside of the transport. Certain embodiments provide conformal pods that nest into the depressions so that pod under surfaces blend smoothly with the scalloped underside of the transport to provide a smooth aerodynamic underside. The scalloped underside may be retrofitted to existing aircraft or supplied as original equipment on new transports, and may be of composite, plastic or other light weight materials.
Abstract:
Boarding device for aircraft and flying wings equipped with such a device. The boarding device consists of at least one tunnel (20) connected to the outside of the aerodynamic shell (12) of the aircraft. More precisely, the tunnel is attached to the trailing edge of the fairing (12) and it extends aft approximately parallel to the longitudinal axis of the aircraft. A door (22) closes off the opening between the passenger cabin (10) and the tunnel (20). The rear part (26) of the tunnel (20) is articulated and/or detachable. In order to evacuate the passengers in an emergency, the front, fixed part of the tunnel (24) can be fitted with an inflatable escape slide or an articulated floor.
Abstract:
A universally flexible rotor mast for a rotary wing aircraft wherein the universal flexing of the mast is accomplished by the use of multiple elastomer mounts of elastomer metal plate sandwich formation and with high strength cables embedded in the elastomer and anchored to opposing metal plates of the sandwich mounts. A static on-ground rotor mast lock is employed to secure the rotor mast in an upright position, the mast lock is used in conjunction with the elastomer mounts of the flexible mast.
Abstract:
Various modifications are disclosed of the composite aircraft, which is the subject of U.S. Pat. No. 3,856,236 by this same inventor. The control console is supported from the center of the upper rotating balloon sphere instead of its south pole to reduce the periodic motion of the console about its point of attachment to the sphere. The console is supported from the center of an inner framework through a tapered indentation in the bottom of the sphere. A lift command control system determines the angle of attack of each wing about the periphery of the sphere to provide the force required to generate movement of the sphere in a preselected direction. If the wing experiences a gust, the force reaction compels the wing to seek a different angle of attack to keep the new force in balance with the command force exerted by the control on the wing to automatically provide gust control. A pneumatic lift command control system is illustrated. The altitude of the aircraft is controlled by maintaining the gas pressure at constant temperature by heat, such as obtained from the engine. Other variations for reducing drag include: boundary layer control of air pressure about the sphere to overcome the Magnus effect enclosing the sphere in an envelope, which does not rotate relative to the air, flattening the sphere and driving it by auxiliary engines instead of tilting it or by applying cone-shaped sections to one hemisphere and translating a substantially horizontal position.
Abstract:
A PASSENGER- OR CARGO-CARRYING POD IS DETACHABLY CONNECTED TO A HELICOPTER FOR HIGH-SPEED TRANSPORT THEREBY BETWEEN METROPOLITAN AND SUBURBAN DEPOTS, AND IS THEN TRANSFERRED TO AND LOCKED ONTO A SELF-PROPELLED POWER UNIT OF ONE TYPE OR ANOTHER, FOR TRANSPORT ON THE GROUND. IN ONE CASE, THE POWER UNIT COMPRISES AN AUTOMOTIVETYPE CHASSIS HAVING WHEELS THAT RUN ON THE STREET OR HIGHWAY. THE CHASSIS HAS A SELF-CONTAINED POWER PLANT AND TRANSMISSION FOR DRIVING THE WHEELS, AS WELL AS STEERING MECHANISM, BRAKES, LIGHTS, ETC., WHICH ARE OPERATED BY CONTROLS WITHIN TEH POD. IN ANOTHER CASE, THE POWER UNIT COMPRISES A CHASSIS HAVING WHEELS THAT RUN ON ONE OR MORE TRACKS, SUCH AS A MONORAIL. WHEN MOUNTED ON EITHER OF THE POWER UNITS, THE POD CAN BE TRANSPORTED OVER A FIXED ROUTE WITHIN THE CITY TO PICK UP AND DISCHARGE PASSENGERS OR CARGO.