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US 7,883,051 B2Granted
Ducted propulsion vector system
AssigneeJohann Q. Sammy
InventorJohann Q. Sammy
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A ducted propulsion vector system that vectors thrust generated from ducted fan powered aircraft. The system has hinged duct flaps may be vectored from +10 degrees up and turned through −90 degrees downward. Vectored downward 90 degrees, the flaps vector thrust enabling vertical/short takeoff and landing of an aircraft. Hover control is facilitated by internal mounted vanes in line of the thrust stream. The duct flaps are transitioned at operator's input to enable the aircraft to achieve forward flight.
Claims20
A ducted propulsion vectoring system for an aircraft comprising:
- a forward duct structure having an annular shaped interior and at a forward end adapted to receive a fluid stream from a thrust generating engine;
- an aft duct structure extending from an input end disposed to receive a fluid stream from the forward duct structure, wherein an upper portion of an interior of the aft duct structure has an upper conical lengthwise shape narrowing from the input end to a rear end and a lower portion of the interior of the aft duct structure has an opening extending from a position at or near the input end of the aft duct structure to a position at or near the rear end of the aft duct structure;
- an upper variable duct flap pivotably attached adjacent the rear end of the aft duct structure at an upper position relative to the path of the fluid stream to define an upper controlling surface for the fluid stream;
- a lower variable duct flap pivotably attached adjacent the front end of the aft duct structure and adjacent the aft duct structure opening at a lower position relative to the path of the fluid stream to define a lower controlling surface for the fluid stream;
- a movement control assembly controlling pivoting of the upper variable duct flap and pivoting of the lower variable duct flap;
- and
- a first variable guide vane having a horizontal pivot axis and mounted in the fluid stream forward of the upper and lower variable duct flaps thereby to provide deflection of the fluid stream upward and/or downward;
- whereby an aircraft equipped with the ducted propulsion vectoring system is enabled control flight of the aircraft to include vertical lift, hover and forward flight by control of the upper and lower variable duct flaps and of the first variable guide vane.
5 more elements
A method for ducted propulsion providing for horizontal thrust and vertical thrust for an air vehicle, the method comprising:
- directing a fluid stream through a forward duct structure, wherein the forward duct structure has a first variable guide vane horizontally disposed within its interior;
- receiving the fluid stream within an aft duct structure, wherein the aft duct structure has exit diameter equal to or less than an entry diameter of the forward duct structure;
- and
- directing the fluid stream from the aft duct structure towards a variable flap structure comprising an upper variable duct flap pivotably attached adjacent a rear end of the aft duct structure at an upper position relative to the path of the fluid stream and a lower variable duct flap pivotably attached adjacent a front end of the aft duct structure and adjacent an aft duct structure opening at a lower position relative to the path of the fluid stream;
- and wherein providing horizontal thrust comprises:
- deflecting the upper variable duct flap and the lower variable duct flap in a direction generally parallel to a direction of the fluid stream through the forward duct structure;
- and
- deflecting the first variable guide vane in a direction generally parallel to the direction of the fluid stream through the forward duct structure,
- and wherein providing vertical thrust comprises:
- deflecting the upper variable duct flap and the lower variable duct flap in a direction generally perpendicular to the direction of the fluid stream through the forward duct structure, and
- deflecting the first variable guide vane to provide lift control.
8 more elements
An air vehicle capable of vertical and/or short take-off and landing, the air vehicle comprising:
- a fuselage;
- one or more wings;
- and
- at least one power plant, the at least one power plant comprising:
- a ducted fan thrust generating engine for generating a fluid stream;
- a forward duct structure having an annular shaped interior and at a forward end adapted to receive the fluid stream and having a rear end;
- an aft duct structure extending from an input end disposed to receive a fluid stream from the forward duct structure, wherein an upper portion of an interior of the aft duct structure has an upper conical lengthwise shape narrowing from the input end to a rear end and a lower portion of the interior of the aft duct structure has an opening extending from a position at or near the input end of the aft duct structure to a position at or near the rear end of the aft duct structure;
- an upper variable duct flap pivotably attached adjacent the rear end of the aft duct structure at an upper position relative to the path of the fluid stream to define an upper controlling surface for the fluid stream;
- a lower variable duct flap pivotably attached adjacent the front end of the aft duct structure and adjacent the aft duct structure opening at a lower position relative to the path of the fluid stream to define a lower controlling surface for the fluid stream;
- a movement control assembly controlling pivoting of the upper variable duct flap and pivoting of the lower variable duct flap;
- and
- a first variable guide vane having a horizontal pivot axis and mounted in the fluid stream forward of the upper and lower variable duct flaps thereby to provide deflection of the fluid stream upward and/or downward;
- whereby the air vehicle is enabled to control flight to include vertical lift, hover and forward flight by control of the upper and lower variable duct flaps and of the first variable guide vane.
10 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.