초록 ▼

A vehicle adapted for airborne flight and waterborne sailing has a fuselage (20) with left and right wings (52, 54) that pivot independently about a respective longitudinal axis from a generally horizontal orientation for flight to a generally vertical orientation to provide wind-driven propulsion f

A vehicle adapted for airborne flight and waterborne sailing has a fuselage (20) with left and right wings (52, 54) that pivot independently about a respective longitudinal axis from a generally horizontal orientation for flight to a generally vertical orientation to provide wind-driven propulsion for sailing. Further, the wings (52, 54) pivot about a respective second axis (66) that is generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis to trim the wings (52, 54) for sailing with a given relative wind direction. The wings (52, 54) are mounted by a respective first pivotal joint (56, 58) to the distal ends of respective stub wing/decks (48, 50). The stub wing/decks form a fixed central wing section (46). Water hulls (28) are mounted below the distal ends of the stub wing/decks (48, 50) on vertical pylons (30) to provide stable flotation. Vertical and horizontal stabilizers (40, 60) are mounted on the back ends of the water hulls (28).

대표청구항 ▼

The invention claimed is: 1. A vehicle adapted for airborne flight and waterborne sailing, the vehicle comprising: a fuselage comprising a roll axis; a left wing and a right wing; each wing connected to the fuselage by a respective first pivotal joint allowing the wing to rotate about a first pivot

The invention claimed is: 1. A vehicle adapted for airborne flight and waterborne sailing, the vehicle comprising: a fuselage comprising a roll axis; a left wing and a right wing; each wing connected to the fuselage by a respective first pivotal joint allowing the wing to rotate about a first pivot axis generally parallel to the roll axis from a generally horizontal wing position for providing lift during flight of the vehicle to a generally vertical wing position for providing wind-driven propulsion during sailing of the vehicle; each wing connected to the first pivotal joint by a second pivotal joint allowing the wing to rotate about a second pivot axis that is generally perpendicular to the first pivot axis for trim control of the wing during sailing; and a flotation hull attached to the fuselage; wherein the first pivotal joint comprises a first pivot axle attached to the fuselage and a plate rotatably mounted on the first pivot axle, the plate comprising first and second lever arms extending in two directions from the pivot axle, the second pivotal joint attached to the first lever arm, and the wing attached to the second pivotal joint. 2. A vehicle as in claim 1, further comprising a first control mechanism for raising and lowering its respective wing between the generally horizontal and generally vertical positions and a second control mechanism for turning the respective wing about the second pivot axis. 3. A vehicle as in claim 2, wherein the first control mechanism comprises a bidirectional cable loop attached to the second lever arm and operationally attached to a winch mechanism for pivoting the second lever arm and the respective wing to a controlled position about the first pivot axle. 4. A vehicle as in claim 3 wherein the second pivotal joint comprises a main spar of the respective wing rotatably mounted in the first lever arm along the second pivot axis, and the second control mechanism comprises a reversible motor mounted on the first lever arm and engaging the main spar for controlled rotational positioning of the main spar about the second pivot axis. 5. A vehicle as in claim 4, wherein the first and second lever arms extend on generally opposite sides of the first pivot axle, and further comprising: a wing center section attached to the fuselage between the two wings, the wing center section comprising left and right stub wings, each wing attached to a distal end of the respective stub wing by means of the respective first pivotal joint; the flotation hull comprising a left flotation hull and a right flotation hull, each of the left and right flotation hull attached below the distal end of the respective stub wing on a generally vertical pylon; and a retractable water rudder on each of the left and right flotation hull. 6. A vehicle as in claim 5, wherein each wing comprises an airfoil that is substantially symmetrical about its chord. 7. A vehicle as in claim 6, further comprising a vertical stabilizer on each flotation hull, an air rudder on each vertical stabilizer, a horizontal stabilizer spanning between the two vertical stabilizers, and an elevator on the horizontal stabilizer. 8. A vehicle as in claim 7, further comprising left and right canard airfoils extending from the fuselage forward of the wing center section. 9. A vehicle as in claim 8, further comprising amphibious wheeled landing gear on each flotation hull. 10. A vehicle adapted for airborne flight and waterborne sailing, the vehicle comprising: a fuselage; a left wing and a right wing; a wing center section attached to the fuselage between the two wings, the wing center section comprising left and right stub wings, each wing connected to a distal end of the respective stub wing by a first pivotal joint, allowing the wing to rotate about a longitudinal axis from a generally horizontal wing position for providing lift during flight of the vehicle to a generally vertical wing position for providing propulsion during sailing of the vehicle; the first pivotal joint comprising a first pivot axle attached to the stub wing, a plate rotatably mounted on the first pivot axle, the plate comprising first and second lever arms extending on generally radially opposite sides of the pivot axle; each wing connected to the respective first pivotal joint by a second pivotal joint, allowing the wing to rotate about a second pivot axis that is generally perpendicular to the first pivot axis for trim control of the vehicle during sailing; a first control mechanism comprising a cable attached to the second lever arm and to a winch mechanism for pivoting the second lever arm and its respective wing to a controlled position about the first pivot axle; the second pivotal joint comprising a spar extending from the root of the respective wing rotatably mounted in the first lever arm along the second pivot axis; a second control mechanism comprising a reversible motor mounted on the first lever arm and engaging the spar for controlled rotational positioning of the respective wing about the second pivot axis; and left and right flotation hulls, each flotation hull attached below the distal end of the respective stub wing on a generally vertical pylon. 11. A vehicle as in claim 10, wherein each wing comprises an airfoil that is substantially symmetrical about its chord. 12. A vehicle as in claim 10, further comprising a vertical stabilizer on each flotation hull, an air rudder on each vertical stabilizer, a horizontal stabilizer spanning between the two vertical stabilizers, an elevator on the horizontal stabilizer, and a retractable water rudder on each flotation hull. 13. A vehicle as in claim 10, further comprising left and right canard airfoils extending from the fuselage forward of the wing center section. 14. A vehicle as in claim 11, further comprising amphibious wheeled landing gear on each flotation hull.