Gas-powered tip-jet-driven compound VTOL aircraft
OwnerKenneth Warren Flaniganinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A compound Vertical TakeOff and Landing (VTOL) aircraft. In a specific embodiment, the VTOL aircraft includes a gas-powered tip-jet driven rotary-wing and a fixed-wing that is capable of providing necessary lift to the aircraft during certain forward-flight regimes so that lift from the rotary-wing is not required. This enables slowing of the rotor, thereby reducing drag during forward flight and enabling flight above and below mu-1. Valves and accompanying ducting are employed to control compressed gas flow to the rotary-wing. Various reaction jets are employed for attitude control during VTOL and transition operations. The aircraft further includes a jet exhaust nozzle to provide forward thrust to facilitate forward flight.
Claims15
A compound aircraft comprising:
- an engine;
- first means for propelling the aircraft in flight, wherein the first means includes:
- ducting and valves for passage and control of compressed gases derived from the engine and
- a gas-powered tip-jet driven rotor system having one or more blades to which the compressed gases are delivered;
- second means for controlling and stabilizing the rotor system under flight conditions above and below Mu-1;
- and
- a fuselage coupled to the engine and the first means.
The compound aircraft of claim further including:
- one or more aeroservoelastic structures coupled to or embedded in one or more of the blades, wherein the one or more aeroservoelastic structures are adapted to facilitate controlling blade twist, blade pitch, and blade vibration.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.