US 10,513,334 B2 · X-tiltwing aircraft

Abstract

An aircraft having a vertical takeoff and landing flight mode and a forward flight mode. The aircraft includes a fuselage and an X-tiltwing that is rotatable relative to the fuselage between a vertical lift orientation and a forward thrust orientation. The X-tiltwing has oppositely disposed V-wing members each having first and second wing sections. In the vertical lift orientation, the first and second wing sections of each V-wing member are generally in the same horizontal plane. In the forward thrust orientation, the first and second wing sections of each V-wing member are generally in the same vertical plane. A distributed propulsion system is attached to the X-tiltwing such that a plurality of propulsion assemblies is attached to each wing section. A flight control system is operably associated with the distributed propulsion system to independently control each of the propulsion assemblies.

Claims20

Dependent claims

An aircraft having a vertical takeoff and landing flight mode and a forward flight mode, the aircraft comprising:

a fuselage;
an X-tiltwing rotatable relative to the fuselage between a vertical lift orientation and a forward thrust orientation, the X-tiltwing having oppositely disposed V-wing members each having first and second wing sections;
a distributed propulsion system attached to the X-tiltwing, the distributed propulsion system including a plurality of propulsion assemblies attached to each wing section;
and
a flight control system operably associated with the distributed propulsion system and operable to independently control each of the propulsion assemblies;
wherein, in the vertical lift orientation, the first and second wing sections of each V-wing member are in the same horizontal plane;
and
wherein, in the forward thrust orientation, the first and second wing sections of each V-wing member are in the same vertical plane.

5 more elements

An aircraft having a vertical takeoff and landing flight mode and a forward flight mode, the aircraft comprising:

an airframe;
a pod assembly selectively attachable to the airframe;
an X-tiltwing rotatable relative to the airframe between a vertical lift orientation and a forward thrust orientation, the X-tiltwing having oppositely disposed V-wing members each having first and second wing sections;
a distributed propulsion system attached to the X-tiltwing, the distributed propulsion system including a plurality of propulsion assemblies attached to each wing section;
and
a flight control system operably associated with the distributed propulsion system and operable to independently control each of the propulsion assemblies;
wherein, in the vertical lift orientation, the first and second wing sections of each V-wing member are in the same horizontal plane;
and
wherein, in the forward thrust orientation, the first and second wing sections of each V-wing member are in the same vertical plane.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

X-tiltwing aircraft

Life of this patent

X-tiltwing aircraft

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20