초록 ▼

A ducted fan 20 provides lift to a flying vehicle 10. The ducted fan includes direction control vanes (1, 2, 3, 4) for controlling torques applied to the vehicle, and also includes lift negation vanes (305, 306, 307, 308), which control the available lift. The lift negation vanes are oriented with t

A ducted fan 20 provides lift to a flying vehicle 10. The ducted fan includes direction control vanes (1, 2, 3, 4) for controlling torques applied to the vehicle, and also includes lift negation vanes (305, 306, 307, 308), which control the available lift. The lift negation vanes are oriented with their longitudinal axes parallel to the forward-aft axis (9) of the vehicle in order to reduce drag at high forward velocities. The thrust negation vanes include fixed (305) and movable (305M) portions, with the movable portions rotatable so as to extend into the duct airflow to cause turbulence. The direction control vanes are airfoils arranged for rotation about their quarter-chord axes (410), which reduces the amount of torque required for rotation of the direction-control vanes. This, in turn, allows stepper motors (924a) to be used to drive the vanes. The effects of forward velocity on the ducted fan also creates effects which tend to pitch the vehicle nose-down. A pair of conventional-type horizontally disposed airfoils (44a, 44b) is rotatable for pitch control, and a control system (700) senses airspeed, and provides a compensating rotation of the airfoils.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A vehicle adapted for flight, said vehicle comprising:a body defining a forward/aft axis;at least one shrouded fan mounted on said body, said shrouded fan including a circular shroud defining a duct, and a fan centered for rotation in said duct, said shrouded fan, when po

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A vehicle adapted for flight, said vehicle comprising:a body defining a forward/aft axis;at least one shrouded fan mounted on said body, said shrouded fan including a circular shroud defining a duct, and a fan centered for rotation in said duct, said shrouded fan, when powered, providing lift to said body to aid in flight of said vehicle, said shrouded fan further including direction control vanes for redirecting airflow through said duct in a manner which provides a net thrust in at least one of forward/aft and left/right directions, said shrouded fan further including thrust negation vanes located within said duct, which reduce said lift provided by said shrouded fan, each and every one of said thrust negation vanes associated with said duct being elongated along an axis of elongation, and extending, across at least a portion of said duct, with said axes of elongation of said thrust negation vanes parallel with said forward/aft axis of said body.