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US 6,918,244 B2Granted
Vertical takeoff and landing aircraft propulsion systems
OwnerJohn Eugene Dickauinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
This patent concerns VTOL propulsion systems that develop a forward flow of air through the air intake duct(s), by the methods of a internal duct system, reversing the rotation of the fan, or a variable pitch (thrust reversing) fan.
Claims21
A vertical takeoff and landing propulsion system for a aircraft comprising:
- a) a main tubular duct, and
- b) a fan disposed within said main tubular duct, and
- c) means for rotating said fan whereby a airflow is created in said main tubular duct, and
- d) at least one tubular air intake duct having a first end connecting to the forward part of said main tubular duct and a second end at about the forward part of said aircraft
- e) at least one tubular exhaust duct having first end connected to the aft part of said main tubular duct and a second end at about the aft part of said aircraft, and
- f) at least one air intake port located on top of said main tubular duct, and
- g) means for opening said air intake port during vertical takeoff and landing mode of operation and closing said air intake port during forward flight mode of operation, and
- h) the rotation of said fan causing the air flow to move forward in the air intake duct during the vertical takeoff and landing mode of operation, and aft towards the exhaust duct during the forward flight mode of operation, and
- i) means for turning downward said forward airflow at the forward end of said air intake duct during vertical takeoff and landing mode of operation, and
- j) means for turning downward an aft flow in the exhaust duct during vertical takeoff and landing.
7 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.