Multi-orientation, advanced vertical agility, variable-environment vehicle
OwnerJames W Vetterinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A vertical takeoff and landing craft that utilizes lifting, propulsion and maneuvering (LPM) assemblies comprising a series of blade foils arranged along track elongated loop paths disposed at the sides of a fuselage. These LPM assemblies are provided with control mechanisms enabling lift, attitude changes, altitude changes and directional flight propulsion and control including those needed for hovering as well as vertical takeoff and landing. The LPM assemblies are configured to drive large volumes of air in a manner and scale favorably similar to conventional rotorcraft while in contrast, providing capability for faster flights by eliminating or minimizing speed limiting factors commonly associated with rotorcraft.
Claims33
A method, comprising:
- providing a fuselage;
- coupling a first lifting assembly to the fuselage, the first lifting assembly comprising at least one blade foil and an elongated loop path that comprises a first portion and a second portion;
- generating lift to the fuselage by causing the at least one blade foil to travel around the elongated loop path such that a leading edge of the at least one blade foil travelling along the first portion of the elongated loop path becomes the trailing edge as the at least one blade foil travels along the second portion of the elongated loop path.
A method, comprising:
- providing a fuselage;
- providing and coupling a first lifting, propulsion and maneuvering (LPM) assembly to one side of the fuselage, the first LPM comprising a first elongated cone-shaped control assembly that comprises a first elongated loop path, a plurality of first angled control elements and a plurality of first blade foils, each of the plurality of first blade foils being coupled to the first control assembly by a respective one of a plurality of first control arms;
- causing each of the plurality of first blade foils to travel around the first elongated loop path;
- and
- controlling, as the plurality of first blade foils travel around the first elongated loop path, a configuration of the plurality of first blade foils as the plurality of first control arms follow a curvature of the first control assembly.
A craft configured to move through a fluid medium, comprising:
- a plurality of first blade foils configured to move along a first elongated loop path defined adjacent a first side of a fuselage;
- and
- a plurality of second blade foils configured to move along a second donated loop path defined adjacent a second side of the fuselage,
- wherein at least one of a movement and attitude of the craft within the fluid medium is controllable by controlling a configuration of the plurality of first and second blade foils.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.