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US 2018/0002012 A1Published application
Aircraft with Independently Controllable Propulsion Assemblies
AssigneeBell Helicopter Textron Inc.
InventorsJohn Richard McCullough, Paul K. Oldroyd
Life of this patent
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Abstract
In some embodiments, an aircraft includes a flying frame having an airframe, a distributed propulsion system attached to the airframe, a flight control system operably associated with the distributed propulsion system and a pod assembly selectively attachable to the flying frame. The distributed propulsion system includes a plurality of propulsion assemblies that are independently controlled by the flight control system, thereby enabling the flying frame to have a vertical takeoff and landing mode and a forward flight mode.
Claims20
An aircraft comprising:
- a flying frame including an airframe having first and second wing members with pylons extending therebetween;
- a distributed propulsion system attached to the airframe, the distributed propulsion system including a plurality of propulsion assemblies;
- a flight control system operably associated with the distributed propulsion system and operable to independently control the propulsion assemblies;
- and
- a pod assembly selectively attachable to the flying frame,
- wherein, the flying frame has a vertical takeoff and landing mode and a forward flight mode.
3 more elements
A method of operating an aircraft comprising:
- providing a flying frame including an airframe, a distributed propulsion system attached to the airframe and a flight control system operably associated with the distributed propulsion system;
- selectively attaching the flying frame to a pod assembly;
- independently controlling a plurality of propulsion assemblies of the distributed propulsion system with the flight control system;
- lifting the pod assembly into the air in a vertical takeoff and landing mode of the aircraft;
- transitioning the aircraft between the vertical takeoff and landing mode and a forward flight mode;
- and
- transporting the pod assembly in the forward flight mode of the aircraft.
4 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.