초록 ▼

A nozzle for use on opposing ends of the rotor of a jet powered tri-mode aircraft is disclosed. The nozzle includes two thermally-controlled doors, which are moveable between an open configuration where hot jet engine exhaust is vented therethrough to propel the rotor in a helicopter mode, and a sec

A nozzle for use on opposing ends of the rotor of a jet powered tri-mode aircraft is disclosed. The nozzle includes two thermally-controlled doors, which are moveable between an open configuration where hot jet engine exhaust is vented therethrough to propel the rotor in a helicopter mode, and a second closed configuration where the two doors are tightly sealed to provide a stable aerodynamic surface for the rotor when the jet powered tri-mode aircraft is operating in an airplane mode. The two doors are thermally-activated by an internal surrounding temperature, such that they remain open by the hot jet engine exhaust passing thereby in the helicopter mode, and remain shut by resulting cooler air when the hot jet engine exhaust is not routed by the two nozzle doors.

대표청구항 ▼

[ I claim:] [1.] A jet powered tri-mode aircraft operating in a helicopter mode at low traveling velocities and operating in an airplane mode at high traveling velocities, the jet powered tri-mode aircraft comprising:a main rotor rotating about an axis in the helicopter mode and fixed in a direction

[ I claim:] [1.] A jet powered tri-mode aircraft operating in a helicopter mode at low traveling velocities and operating in an airplane mode at high traveling velocities, the jet powered tri-mode aircraft comprising:a main rotor rotating about an axis in the helicopter mode and fixed in a direction transverse to a direction of flight in the airplane mode;two thermally-controlled nozzles located at opposing ends of the main rotor, each nozzle operating in an open position to expel jet exhaust and rotate the main rotor in the helicopter mode, and operating in a closed position to provide an airfoil in the airplane mode;a thermally-activated nozzle controlling means for automatically opening the two thermally-controlled nozzles when the jet exhaust passing by an area near the thermally-activated nozzle controlling means raises a temperature of the thermally-activated nozzle controlling means to a predetermined temperature, and for automatically closing the two thermally-controlled nozzles when the temperature of the area falls below the predetermined temperature as a result of the jet exhaust no longer passing by the area.