Multi-orientation, advanced vertical agility,variable-environment vehicle
OwnerJames W. VETTERinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A vertical takeoff and landing craft that utilizes lifting, propulsion and maneuvering (LPM) assemblies comprising a series of blade foils arranged along track elongated loop paths disposed at the sides of a fuselage. These LPM assemblies are provided with control mechanisms enabling lift, attitude changes, altitude changes and directional flight propulsion and control including those needed for hovering as well as vertical takeoff and landing. The LPM assemblies are configured to drive large volumes of air in a manner and scale favorably similar to conventional rotorcraft while in contrast, providing capability for faster flights by eliminating or minimizing speed limiting factors commonly associated with rotorcraft.
Claims33
A craft, comprising:
- a fuselage;
- a first lifting assembly coupled to the fuselage, comprising at least one blade foil, the at least one blade foil being configured to travel around an elongated loop path to provide lift to the fuselage,
- wherein the elongated loop path comprises a top portion and a bottom portion and wherein a leading edge of the at least one blade foil travelling along the top portion of the elongated loop path becomes the trailing edge as the at least one blade foil travels along the bottom portion of the elongated loop path.
A craft, comprising:
- a fuselage;
- a first lifting, propulsion and maneuvering (LPM) assembly coupled to one side of the fuselage, comprising a first elongated cone-shaped control track or control belt with angled control elements a plurality of first blade foils, each of which being coupled to the first control track or belt by respective control arms and configured to travel around a first elongated loop path, a configuration of the first blade foils being controllable as the control arms follow a curvature of the first control track or belt as the first blade foils travel around the first elongated loop path.
A method of moving a craft through a fluid medium, comprising:
- moving a plurality of first blade foils along a first elongated loop path defined adjacent a first side of a fuselage;
- moving a plurality of second blade foils along a second elongated loop path defined adjacent a second side of the fuselage;
- controlling at least one of a movement and attitude of the craft by controlling a configuration of the first and second blade foils.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.