Propulsion/control for VTOL vehicle

Abstract

A propulsion/control system for aircraft of the vertical takeoff and landing type having a body without wings or tail and relying entirely on fluid streams for effecting liftoff, propulsion, and control. The body has an air duct with an inlet adjacent the rear end and a downwardly directed outlet at each side, an engine driven fan being disposed in the duct at the inlet and a cascade of adjustable vanes at each outlet. Operation of the fan causes air to flow into the inlet, through the duct, and issue in streams from the outlets, the reaction of such streams imparting lifting and flight forces to the body. By adjusting the cascades of vanes, the effects of the forces can be varied to control the movement of the body. To further control the movement and stability of the body in the air, additional adjustable elements may be provided. For example, trim doors may be disposed in the air duct immediately in advance of the cascades of vanes, adjustment of the doors shifting the air streams flowing to and through the outlets relative the center of gravity of the body. In this manner better balance can be secured and shifts of the center of gravity, due to changes in loading or other causes, can be compensated. It may be found desirable also, to apply adjustable roll control vane elements to the body adjacent the sides of the outlets to partially oppose the streams of air flowing to and from the outlets to vary the reactionary forces. A shield is applied to the rear end of the body to confine inlet airflow to a predetermined path.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.