Modular aircraft assembly for airborne and ground transport
AssigneeSunlight Aerospace Inc.
InventorsSergey V. Frolov, Michael Cyrus, John Peter Moussouris
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An aircraft for vertical take-off and landing includes an aircraft frame having an open frame portion, at least one vertical thruster, a pod, separable from the aircraft and including a cabin to contain at least one of cargo and passengers, where the pod, when mounted to the aircraft, defines at least a portion of the aircraft frame, and a mounting system including at least one attachment member configured to attach the pod to the open frame portion. Such aircraft is capable of flight with and without the pod.
Claims29
An aircraft for vertical take-off and landing, comprising:
- an aircraft frame comprising an open frame portion;
- at least one vertical thruster;
- a pod, separable from the aircraft frame and including a cabin to contain at least one of cargo and passengers, wherein the pod and the open frame portion of the aircraft frame comprise complimentary shapes such that when the pod is situated within the open frame portion, the combination defines a contoured, aerodynamic outer surface of at least a portion of the aircraft frame;
- and
- a mounting system including at least one attachment member to attach the pod to the open frame portion and to maintain a structural integrity of the open frame portion;
- wherein the aircraft frame is capable of flight with and without the pod.
An aircraft, comprising:
- a wing portion providing a lift force during a horizontal flight;
- at least one horizontal thruster;
- a modular fuselage, comprising:
- a pod, separable from a frame of the aircraft and including a cabin to contain at least one of cargo and passengers, wherein the pod and an open frame portion of the aircraft frame comprise complimentary shapes such that when the pod is situated within the open frame portion, the combination defines a contoured, aerodynamic surface of at least a portion of an outer frame of the aircraft;
- and
- a mounting system including the open frame portion in the frame of the aircraft and at least one attachment member to attach the pod to the open frame portion in the aircraft frame and to maintain a structural integrity of the open frame portion;
- wherein the aircraft frame is capable of flight with and without the pod.
An aircraft for vertical take-off and landing, comprising:
- an aircraft frame;
- at least one vertical thruster;
- a pod, separable from the aircraft frame and including a cabin to contain at least one of cargo and passengers, wherein the pod and an open frame portion of the aircraft frame comprise complimentary shapes such that when the pod is situated within the open frame portion, the combination defines a contoured, aerodynamic surface of at least an outer portion of the frame of the aircraft;
- and
- a mounting system including an open frame portion in the aircraft frame, and at least one attachment member to attach the pod to the open frame portion in the aircraft frame and to maintain a structural integrity of the open frame portion;
- wherein the aircraft frame is capable of flight with and without the pod.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.