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US 10,518,595 B2Granted
Combined flying/driving vehicle with vertical takeoff and fixed-wing cruise capabilities
AssigneeTerrafugia, Inc.
InventorCarl C. Dietrich
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A combined flying-driving vehicle having a hybrid propulsion system architecture, foldable wings, and rotatable propulsion devices that is capable of vertical take-off and landing (VTOL), fixed wing cruise, and legally operating one a roadway surface.
Claims20
A combined flying-driving vehicle comprising:
- a vehicle body comprising a passenger compartment comprising a front end and an aft end, wherein the vehicle body defines a longitudinal axis along a length thereof substantially parallel to a preferred direction of motion of the vehicle along a length thereof;
- a plurality of wheels coupled to the body and configured to support the vehicle body on ground;
- a ducted fan disposed at the aft end of the body, wherein the ducted fan defines a fan axis substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis;
- at least two folding wings coupled to the body, wherein the folding wing are adapted to fold around wing folding axes substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis, and wherein the folding wings are adapted to transmit lift to the body during flight and provide less lift when folded;
- a plurality of pods pivotably mounted to the folding wings;
- and
- a plurality of propeller blades pivotably mounted about a folding axis to the pods.
4 more elements
A combined flying-driving vehicle comprising:
- a vehicle body comprising a passenger compartment comprising a front end and an aft end, wherein the vehicle body defines a longitudinal axis along a length thereof substantially parallel to a preferred direction of motion of the vehicle along a length thereof;
- at least one motor;
- a plurality of wheels coupled to the body and in a drive mode coupled to the at least one motor, the plurality of wheel being configured to support the vehicle body on ground;
- a ducted fan disposed in the aft end of the body and structured and arranged to provide horizontal propulsion during flight, wherein the ducted fan defines a fan axis substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis;
- at least two folding wings coupled to the body, wherein the folding wing are adapted to fold around wing folding axes substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis, and wherein the folding wings are adapted to transmit lift to the body during flight and provide less lift when folded, wherein the folding wings are disposed on first and second sides of the vehicle body and each of the folding wings is structured and arranged to fold along one of the sides of the body;
- a plurality of pods pivotably mounted to the folding wings;
- and
- a plurality of foldable propeller blades pivotably mounted to the pods and configured to fold against the pods when in a stowed position.
5 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.