Abstract:
Embodiments are directed to a high speed, vertical lift aircraft that has vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) capability and is capable of converting to a forward-flight mode (e.g., prop-mode). The rotors blades can be folded for high speed forward flight propelled by a turbine engine (e.g., jet-mode). The rotor blades on the tail sitter aircraft have a “stop-fold” capability, which means that the rotor blades are stopped in flight and folded back to reduce drag. This allows the tail sitter aircraft to achieve a higher speed than a tilt-rotor aircraft. In some embodiments, the tail sitter aircraft achieves both rotor-borne flight and jet-borne flight by having two separate engines. An additional advantage of the tail-sitter aircraft versus a horizontally oriented fixed engine aircraft is that supplemental jet thrust can be used for take-off if desired.
Abstract:
A propulsion system for a ducted fan vertical takeoff and landing aircraft (VTOL) powered by multiple electric motors with two, counter rotating electric motors comprising the primary thrust generation within a ducted fan component and 3 or more external electric motors providing lift, stability and directional control of the aircraft. Through the use of counter rotating ducted fans, the aircraft does not require the need for internal stators—either fixed or adjustable angle. Power to the electric motors is sourced by either onboard batteries, a ground based power source via a ground to aircraft tether, or an on board fuel cell or combustion engine driving an alternator.
Abstract:
Provided is a disc-type jet turbine engine with controllable and rotational discharge ports at two sides of a discharge chamber, a fuel tank, and an operation lever connected with the discharge ports. The rotor shaft of the jet turbine engine is connected with a start-up electrical motor through a clutch and with a fuel pump through a gearbox. The fuel nozzle of the engine is connected with the fuel tank via the accelerator control valve and the fuel pump. The operation lever controls the clutch. The handle of the operation lever is provided with an electrical switch, a direction controller and an accelerator controller. The switch is electrically connected with the start-up electrical motor, the accelerator controller is connected to control the accelerator control valve, and the direction controller is connected with the discharge ports. Around the combustion chamber is an air-flow guide chamber having an air cooling and heat-insulate layer.
Abstract:
A semiautonomously directed, autonomously controlled, gyroscopically stabilized, horizontal or vertical take off and landing (HOVTOL) flying apparatus employing two vertical lift devices equally and longitudinally spaced from the center of gravity of the apparatus; continuously integrated with a drive train apparatus, optional single or multiple power means; congruously connected thereto horizontal thrust devices. Integral to the vertical lift devices; pitch axis control devices situated at the exhaust orifices therein to vector said devices exhaust slip stream by a autonomous flight control system providing pitch stability. The autonomous flight control system providing continuously all flight control of the apparatus and said system being interfaced to a semiautonomous flight director device providing discrete flight direction function codes thereto. The combined effect of the apparatus is: When the power system rotates; coincident rotation of the drive train causes the vertical lift apparatus and horizontal thrust apparatus to counter rotate at right angles simultaneously providing both vertical lift and gyroscopic roll stability and simultaneously providing both horizontal thrust and gyroscopic yaw stability during flight; the continuous control thereof being accomplished by the autonomous flight control system and the directional steering, and function thereof in four axis effected by the semiautonomous flight director device which provides discrete flight function codes to the autonomous flight control system so as to disallow the initiation of negative flight maneuvers and/or functions providing for the safe unskilled pilot operation of the apparatus or any aircraft employing a autopilot having a autonomous digital flight control system.
Abstract:
An unmanned aerial vehicle incorporates a single engine with bifurcated exhausts which are coupled to side mounted rotating nozzles through a swivel joint. Jet deflection means are mounted to the end of the rotating nozzles to achieve additional degrees of freedom for the aircraft.
Abstract:
An annular, radial flow gas turbine engine and airborne vehicle utilizing same for jet propulsion. The engine comprises counter-rotating rotors and a compressor section with counter-rotating annular rows of intermeshing compressor blades, an annular combustion section common to both rotors wherein the combustion zone is defined by oppositely rotating rotor walls, and a turbine section made up of annular rows of counter-rotating exhaust turbine blades. No stator blades are present in either the compressor or the turbine sections.The craft comprises a central hub on which the engine rotors rotate on thrust bearings, and air bearings maintain rotor tolerances with respect to each other and to nonrotating shell portions above and below the engine rotors. Air inlet guide vanes leading to the compressor section are also housed in the hub portion of the craft. Exhaust gases emitting from the turbine section are selectively ducted through annularly arranged, downwardly directed lift thrust producing ducts and/or rearwardly directed ducts or vanes for generation of forward propulsion. Directional control during hovering and low speed flight is by selective braking of one or the other of the rotors, and during high speed flight also by selective control of spoiler surfaces arranged in the upper and lower external surfaces of the craft.
Abstract:
A vehicle, includes a main body. A fluid generator is coupled to the main body and produces a fluid stream. At least one tail conduit is fluidly coupled to the generator. First and second fore ejectors are coupled to the main body and respectively coupled to a starboard side and port side of the vehicle. The fore ejectors respectively comprise an outlet structure out of which fluid flows. At least one tail ejector is fluidly coupled to the tail conduit. The tail ejector comprises an outlet structure out of which fluid flows. A primary airfoil element includes a closed wing having a leading edge and a trailing edge. The leading and trailing edges of the closed wing define an interior region. The at least one propulsion device is at least partially disposed within the interior region.
Abstract:
An aircraft includes a fuselage module and at least two vertical lift rotor modules supporting at least four rotor assemblies. Each rotor assembly is supported by a rotor boom having at least one boom free end and a boom mounting portion. Each rotor assembly has at least one vertical lift rotor mounted on the boom free end. Each boom mounting portion is removably couplable to the fuselage module. The vertical lift rotor modules are configured such that when coupled to the fuselage module, a pair of the rotor assemblies are located on each of laterally opposite sides of the fuselage module, and the rotor assemblies of each pair are respectively located forward of and aft of a wing center portion. A pair of wings are configured to be removably couplable to the wing center portion. The aircraft includes a forward thrust module removably couplable to the fuselage body.