Amphibious aircraft
AssigneeLeader Industries, Inc.
InventorJohn A. Meekins
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
General aviation class amphibious aircraft which include two fuselages, each having a hydrodynamic surface, the fuselages connected via a primary flight surface and a ducted power plant located aft and above the fuselages. The power plant location removes the fan/propeller arc from water and spray during water-borne taxiing, takeoff and landing. The combination of fuselages, lifting surface and ducting provides an aerodynamically efficient design with a lower center of gravity and protected powerplant for yielding improved performance including increased range and airspeed, together with favorable maneuverability, stability and control characteristics both aerodynamically and hydrodynamically.
Claims18
A general aviation class amphibious aircraft adapted to take off and land on water, comprising:
- (a) a pair of fuselages joined by a cantilevered lifting surface, each fuselage containing a cockpit and hydrodynamic fairing;
- (b) a power plant mounted on a web supported by each of the fuselages, the power plant located adjacent to portions of the fuselages and connected to at least one of a propeller or fan;
- (c) a duct surrounding the power plant and connected to the fuselages for improving efficiency of the powerplant and providing lift.
A general aviation class aircraft adapted to land and take off on water, comprising:
- (a) a pair of fuselages joined by a cantilevered lifting surface, each fuselage containing a cockpit and hydrodynamic fairing, each fuselage adapted at least partially to float the aircraft on water in order to allow take off, taxiing and landing operations;
- (b) a power plant mounted on a web supported by each of the fuselages, the power plant located adjacent to portions of the fuselages and connected to at least one of a propeller or fan;
- (c) a duct surrounding the power plant and connected to the fuselages for improving efficiency of the powerplant and providing lift, wherein
- (d) the duct includes at least one flight control surface adapted to affect rotation of the aircraft about at least one of the yaw and the pitch axes.
A general aviation class aircraft adapted to take off and land on water, comprising:
- (a) a pair of fuselages joined by a cantilevered lifting surface, each fuselage containing a cockpit and hydrodynamic fairing;
- (b) a power plant mounted on a web supported by each of the fuselages, the power plant located adjacent to portions of the fuselages and connected to at least one of a propeller or fan;
- (c) a generally tubular duct surrounding the power plant and structurally connecting the fuselages, for improving efficiency of the powerplant, adding structural integrity to the aircraft and providing lift, wherein
- (d) the duct includes at least one flight control surface adapted to affect rotation of the aircraft about each of the yaw and the pitch axes.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.