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US 9,815,545 B1Granted
Aerodynamic lifting system
AssigneeSteering Financial Ltd.
InventorDavid Steer
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An aerodynamic lifting system for a VTOL aircraft is provided that includes a lifting structure defining a leading edge portion, a trailing edge portion, an upper surface extending between the leading edge portion and the trailing edge portion, and a lower surface extending between the leading edge portion and the trailing edge portion. A plurality of leading edge and trailing edge movable flaps, along with leading edge openings and trailing edge openings are employed to direct a flow of air, including along an upper surface of the lifting structure. During transition from a VTOL stage to forward flight, when a first leading edge movable flap is in a closed position, a net forward thrust is provided by the flow of air at the leading edge portion.
Claims19
An aerodynamic lifting system for a VTOL aircraft comprising:
- an air flow device disposed within the aerodynamic lifting system to provide a flow of air;
- a lifting structure defining a leading edge portion, a trailing edge portion, an upper surface extending between the leading edge portion and the trailing edge portion, and a lower surface extending between the leading edge portion and the trailing edge portion;
- a slot disposed along the leading edge portion of the lifting structure, the slot defining a leading edge opening configured for dispersing the flow of air towards the trailing edge portion along the upper surface of the lifting structure;
- an upper trailing edge movable flap disposed along the trailing edge portion of the lifting structure at the upper surface, the upper trailing edge movable flap defining a trailing edge opening configured for capturing the flow of air from the slot;
- an upper leading edge movable flap disposed along the leading edge portion of the lifting structure at the upper surface, the upper leading edge movable flap cooperating with the slot to direct the flow of air;
- a lower trailing edge movable flap disposed along the trailing edge portion of the lifting structure at the lower surface and configured for capturing air flow along the lower surface of the lifting structure;
- and
- a lower leading edge movable flap disposed along the leading edge portion of the lifting structure at the lower surface,
- wherein during a VTOL stage, a velocity of the flow of air from the slot at the leading edge portion is the same as a velocity of the flow of air entering the trailing edge opening when the upper trailing edge movable flap is in an open position, thereby resulting in a net zero forward thrust, and
- wherein during transition from the VTOL stage to forward flight, when the upper trailing edge movable flap is in a closed position, a net forward thrust is provided by the flow of air from the slot.
7 more elements
An aerodynamic lifting system comprising:
- an air flow device disposed within the aerodynamic lifting system to provide a flow of air;
- a lifting structure defining a leading edge portion, a trailing edge portion, an upper surface extending between the leading edge portion and the trailing edge portion, and a lower surface extending between the leading edge portion and the trailing edge portion;
- a slot disposed along the leading edge portion of the lifting structure, the slot defining a leading edge opening configured for dispersing the flow of air towards the trailing edge portion along the upper surface of the lifting structure;
- an upper trailing edge movable flap disposed along the trailing edge portion of the lifting structure at the upper surface, the upper trailing edge movable flap defining a trailing edge opening configured for capturing the flow of air from the slot;
- an upper leading edge movable flap disposed along the leading edge portion of the lifting structure at the upper surface, the upper leading edge movable flap cooperating with the slot to direct the flow of air;
- a lower trailing edge movable flap disposed along the trailing edge portion of the lifting structure at the lower surface and configured for capturing air flow along the lower surface of the lifting structure;
- and
- a lower leading edge movable flap disposed along the leading edge portion of the lifting structure at the lower surface,
- wherein the aerodynamic lifting system is configured to operate in a vertical flight mode and a forward flight mode,
- wherein during the vertical flight mode, a velocity of the flow of air from the slot at the leading edge portion is the same as a velocity of the flow of air entering the trailing edge opening when the upper trailing edge movable flap is in an open position, thereby resulting in a net zero forward thrust, and
- wherein during transition from the vertical flight mode to the forward flight mode, when the upper trailing edge movable flap is in a closed position, a net forward thrust is provided by the flow of air from the slot.
8 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.