US 5,222,689 A · Aircraft having magnetic suspension systems

Abstract

An aircraft having magnetic suspension systems adapted to be used as a winged surface effect aircraft, as a conventional type aircraft and as an aircraft of vertical take-off. A winged surface effect aircraft is provided with a magnetic suspension system having electromagnets adapted for magnetic interaction with a composite run-way utilizing an eddy current to support the rear portion of winged surface effect aircraft laterally in relation to the run-way while the front portion is supported by and rides on an air cushion developed by forward thrust between the wing and ground. The propelling units of the surface effect aircraft are adapted to hover the front portion and to propel the aircraft along the run-way while the rear portion of aircraft is magnetically supported by the magnetic suspension system. The winged surface effect aircraft can be adapted to be propelled over the ground surface as a conventional type aircraft when the electromagnets are disengaged. The magnetic suspension system of a conventional type aircraft is adapted to provide braking forces to reduce the speed of the conventional type aircraft after landing. An aircraft of vertical take-off is provided with magnetic systems to support the aircraft in the vertical position and to boost the vertical take-off by eddy current repulsion. Propelling units of the winged surface effect aircraft, the conventional type aircraft and of the aircraft of vertical take-off are adapted to reduce the consumption of fuel.

Claims6

Dependent claims

An aircraft comprising:

front and rear wheels, a body having a front portion, a rear portion, a bottom portion, a wing fixedly mounted on said body, propelling units arranged symmetrically with respect to said body;
and a magnetic suspension system having electromagnets, said electromagnets being arranged at the bottom portion of said aircraft, said electromagnets are adapted for magnetic interaction with a composite runway by means of an eddy current, said composite runway further comprises a composite guideway, said magnetic suspension system being adapted for engagement with said composite guideway thereby holding said aircraft laterally in relation to said guideway while said aircraft is supported by and rides on an air cushion between the wing and ground developed by a forward thrust, said aircraft being stabilized vertically by being magnetically held in relation to said guideway, said electromagnets are movable towards said guideway by means of a servo-motor, said aircraft is adapted to be used as a surface effect aircraft wherein said magnetic suspension system reacts with the composite guideway to limit said aircraft from movement in the lateral and upward directions, and said magnetic suspension system does not provide any support, for said aircraft, against downward movement.

An aircraft in combination with an airport wherein said aircraft comprises:

front and rear wheels, a body having a front portion, a rear portion, a bottom portion, a wing fixedly mounted on said body, propelling units arranged symmetrically with respect to said body;
and a magnetic suspension system having electromagnets, said electromagnets are arranged at a rear bottom portion of said aircraft, said electromagnets are adapted for magnetic interaction with a composite runway of said airport by means of an eddy current, said electromagnets are adapted for engagement with said composite runway to provide braking forces and to reduce the speed of the aircraft after landing, said braking forces are produced by means of the eddy current, said electromagnets are movable towards said runway by means of a servo-motor, said aircraft is adapted to by used as a conventional type aircraft.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Aircraft having magnetic suspension systems

Life of this patent

Aircraft having magnetic suspension systems

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims6