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US 8,596,570 B1Granted
Aircraft vehicle centrifugal fan apparatus
OwnerDavid Carambatinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An aircraft provides hovercraft power via fabric fans that produce lift for supporting the craft above an underlying support surface. Fabric fans are specially configured for maximum efficiency. In one embodiment, a helicopter utilizes the fan as part of a tail rotor assembly.
Claims23
An aircraft, comprising:
- a) an air frame;
- b) a centrifugal fan that produces a cushion of air that elevates the air frame above an underlying support surface;
- c) the fan including a hub and multiple fabric stirrups;
- d) the stirrups including curved flexible portions forming a shroud;
- and
- e) wherein centrifugal forces stress the stirrups to maintain a desired stirrup geometry during rotation.
3 more elements
An aircraft, comprising:
- a) an air frame;
- b) a centrifugal fan that produces a cushion of air that elevates the air frame above an underlying support surface;
- c) the fan including a structural hub and multiple fabric stirrups mounted to the hub;
- d) the fabric stirrups including curved flexible portions forming a shroud;
- and
- e) wherein centrifugal forces stress the fabric stirrups to maintain a desired stirrup geometry during rotation.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.