초록 ▼

The vehicle includes a fuselage; a plurality of lifting surfaces attached to the fuselage having control devices attached thereto; and, an articulated propulsion system attached to the fuselage. The propulsion system includes a duct assembly pivotally connected to the fuselage. The duct assembly inc

The vehicle includes a fuselage; a plurality of lifting surfaces attached to the fuselage having control devices attached thereto; and, an articulated propulsion system attached to the fuselage. The propulsion system includes a duct assembly pivotally connected to the fuselage. The duct assembly includes a duct and a propeller assembly mounted within the duct. A motor assembly is connected to the propeller assembly. The duct assembly may be positioned in a substantially vertical position to provide sufficient direct vertical thrust for vertical take-off and landing and may be directed in other positions to provide a varying spectrum of take-off and landing configurations, as well as a substantially horizontal position for high speed horizontal flight. Use of the control surface in the ducted propulsion assembly provides VTOL capability in a very small environment. The environment is not required to be prepared in any special manner. During horizontal flight, the wings provide the lift, which is more efficient than a propeller providing lift. The present invention takes advantage of a center line propulsion, so that there are no asymmetric propulsion loads.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed and desired to be secured by Letters Patent of the United States is:] [1.] A vertical/short take-off and landing air vehicle capable of producing high speed horizontal flight, comprising:a) a fuselage;b) a plurality of lifting surfaces, including at least one wing and at least one

[ What is claimed and desired to be secured by Letters Patent of the United States is:] [1.] A vertical/short take-off and landing air vehicle capable of producing high speed horizontal flight, comprising:a) a fuselage;b) a plurality of lifting surfaces, including at least one wing and at least one all moving horizontal tail, attached to said fuselage, each said at least one wing having a respective control device attached thereto;c) an articulated propulsion system attached to said fuselage, comprising:I) a duct assembly pivotally connected to said fuselage, said duct assembly comprising:a duct; anda propeller assembly mounted within said duct; andii) a motor assembly connected to said propeller assembly,wherein said propulsion system is positionable in a substantially vertical position to provide sufficient direct vertical thrust for vertical take-off and landing and is directable to other positions to provide a varying spectrum of take-off and landing configurations as well as a substantially horizontal position for high speed horizontal flight and wherein each of said plurality of lifting surfaces pivots with respect to the fuselage to remain generally aligned with a longitudinal central axis of the duct assembly as the propulsion system is positioned in and between the substantially vertical position and the substantially horizontal position.