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US 12,434,815 B2Granted
Aircraft control system
AssigneeBBG Aerosystems, Inc.
InventorWilliam Brandebury Harvey
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A control system for rotating an airfoil along one axis that is offset from a perpendicular axis that varies the angle of attack (AOA), dihedral, and center of lift based on the position of the attachment to precisely maneuver an aircraft. This technique can eliminate the need for traditional control surfaces such as ailerons, elevators, and rudders. allowing for an aerodynamically advantaged shape.
Claims20
An apparatus, comprising:
- a aircraft;
- a pivot mounted on a side of the aircraft with a pivot offset along a longitudinal axis at a non-zero angle from a vertical axis of the aircraft;
- and
- an airfoil that comprises a root that is rotatably mounted on the pivot, wherein rotation of the airfoil about the pivot causes a change in an angle of attack and lift of the airfoil.
1 more element
A method comprising:
- rotating first airfoil configured to provide lift to a aircraft along an axis that is offset from a perpendicular axis along a longitudinal axis of the aircraft to vary an angle of attack for the first airfoil;
- rotating second airfoil configured to provide lift to a aircraft along the axis that is offset along the longitudinal axis from the perpendicular axis of the aircraft to vary an angle of attack for the second airfoil;
- and
- wherein the first and second airfoils are rotated independently to control roll, pitch, and yaw of the aircraft.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.