Aircraft having a Versatile Propulsion System
AssigneeBell Helicopter Textron Inc.
InventorsPaul K. Oldroyd, John Richard McCullough
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An aircraft having a vertical takeoff and landing fight mode and a forward flight mode. The aircraft includes an airframe and a versatile propulsion system attached to the airframe. The versatile propulsion system includes a plurality of propulsion assemblies. A flight control system is operable to independently control the propulsion assemblies. The propulsion assemblies are interchangeably attachable to the airframe such that the aircraft has a liquid fuel flight mode and an electric flight mode. In the liquid fuel flight mode, energy is provided to each of the propulsion assemblies from a liquid fuel. In the electric flight mode, energy is provided to each of the propulsion assemblies from an electric power source.
Claims20
An aircraft having a vertical takeoff and landing fight mode and a forward flight mode, the aircraft comprising:
- an airframe;
- a versatile propulsion system attached to the airframe, the versatile propulsion system including a plurality of propulsion assemblies;
- and
- a flight control system operable to independently control the propulsion assemblies;
- wherein, the propulsion assemblies are interchangeably attachable to the airframe such that the aircraft has a liquid fuel flight mode and an electric flight mode;
- wherein, in the liquid fuel flight mode, energy is provided to each of the propulsion assemblies from a liquid fuel;
- and
- wherein, in the electric flight mode, energy is provided to each of the propulsion assemblies from an electric power source.
A method of operating an aircraft having a versatile propulsion system, a vertical takeoff and landing fight mode and a forward flight mode, the method comprising:
- providing an airframe;
- interchangeably attaching a plurality of propulsion assemblies to the airframe;
- independently controlling the propulsion assemblies with a flight control system;
- providing energy to each of the propulsion assemblies from a liquid fuel in a liquid fuel flight mode;
- and
- providing energy to each of the propulsion assemblies from an electric power source in an electric flight mode.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.