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US 12,729,022 B2Granted
Vertical air vehicle takeoff and landing stabilization apparatuses, systems, and methods
AssigneeThe Boeing Company
InventorsWayne Richard Howe, Terrance Mason
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Vertical takeoff and landing vehicles (VTOLs) of the type used for the point-to-point delivery and transport of payloads (e.g., packages, equipment, etc.) and personnel, are significantly stabilized at least during takeoff and landing with present aspects significantly ameliorating or significantly eliminating destabilizing effects, including ground effect, during VTOL takeoff and/or landing.
Claims13
An apparatus for stabilizing takeoff and landing of a vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) vehicle, the apparatus comprising:
- a vertically-oriented support element, said vertically-oriented support element comprising:
- a vertically-oriented support element first end proximate to a base;
- a vertically-oriented support element second end located at a distance away from the vertically-oriented support element first end, said vertically-oriented support element extending from the vertically-oriented support element first end to the vertically-oriented support element second end, said vertically-oriented support element further comprising at least one first cooperating stabilizer element proximate to the vertically-oriented support element second end;
- a guide, said guide in communication with the vertically-oriented support element second end, said guide further in communication with the at least one first cooperating stabilizer element, said guide further comprising a guide inner surface, said guide inner surface further comprising at least one guide inner surface channel, said at least one guide inner surface channel dimensioned to receive a second cooperating stabilizer element into the at least one guide inner surface channel, said at least one guide inner surface channel in communication with the at least one first cooperating stabilizer element;
- an enclosure, said enclosure dimensioned to substantially surround the vertically-oriented support element, said enclosure further dimensioned to completely surround a vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) vehicle during at least one of a VTOL vehicle takeoff and a VTOL vehicle landing, said enclosure comprising an enclosure first end located proximate to the base, said enclosure comprising at least one enclosure opening located near the enclosure first end;
- and
- a pipe in communication with said at least one enclosure opening, said pipe comprising a pipe first end and a pipe second end, said pipe first end configured to adjoin said at least one enclosure opening in said enclosure, said pipe second end configured to extend a selected distance away from said pipe first end, said pipe located exterior to said enclosure.
4 more elements
An apparatus for stabilizing takeoff and landing of a vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) vehicle, the apparatus comprising:
- a vertically-oriented support element, said vertically-oriented support element comprising:
- a vertically-oriented support element first end proximate to a base;
- a vertically-oriented support element second end located at a distance away from the vertically-oriented support element first end, said vertically-oriented support element extending from the vertically-oriented support element first end to the vertically-oriented support element second end, said vertically-oriented support element further comprising at least one first cooperating stabilizer element proximate to the vertically-oriented support element second end;
- a guide, said guide in communication with the vertically-oriented support element second end, said guide further in communication with the at least one first cooperating stabilizer element, said guide further comprising a guide inner surface, said guide inner surface further comprising at least one guide inner surface channel, said at least one guide inner surface channel dimensioned to receive a second cooperating stabilizer element into the at least one guide inner surface channel, said at least one guide inner surface channel in communication with the at least one first cooperating stabilizer element;
- an enclosure, said enclosure dimensioned to substantially surround the vertically-oriented support element, said enclosure further dimensioned to completely surround a vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) vehicle during at least one of a VTOL vehicle takeoff and a VTOL vehicle landing, said enclosure comprising an enclosure first end located proximate to the base, said enclosure comprising at least one enclosure opening located near the enclosure first end;
- a pipe in communication with said enclosure, said pipe comprising a pipe first end and a pipe second end, said pipe first end configured to adjoin said at least one enclosure opening in said enclosure, said pipe second end configured to extend a selected distance away from said pipe first end, said pipe located exterior to said enclosure;
- a roof in moveable communication with the VTOL vehicle takeoff and landing stabilizing apparatus second end, said roof configured to move between an open position and a closed position;
- a roof mechanism in communication with the roof, said roof mechanism configured to deliver a force configured to move said roof between the open position and the closed position;
- and
- wherein the at least one first cooperating stabilizer element comprises at least one of a male attachment portion, and a female attachment portion.
7 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.