Abstract:
In one embodiment, an aircraft for transporting at least one cargo container is disclosed. The aircraft comprises a forward fuselage, an empennage, a beam structure, and mounts to detachably and structurally engage the at least one cargo container with the beam structure. The beam structure is disposed between the forward fuselage and the empennage and the beam structure configured to receive the at least one cargo container. The beam structure and structurally engaged cargo container provide sufficient structural rigidity to support the aircraft in flight.
Abstract:
A vertical take-off and landing miniature aerial vehicle includes an upper fuselage segment (12) and a lower fuselage segment (14) that extend in opposite directions from a rotor guard assembly (16). A rotor (52) rotates within the rotor guard assembly (16) between the fuselage segments(12, 14). Plural turning vanes (28) extend from the rotor guard assembly (16) beneath the rotor (52). Moreover, plural grid fins (26) extend radially from the lower fuselage segment (14) below the turning vanes (28). The aerial vehicle is capable of taking off and landing vertically. During flight, the aerial vehicle can hover and transition between a horizontal flight mode and a vertical flight mode using the grid fins (26).
Abstract:
An aircraft attack interdiction system using an unmanned interdiction aircraft piloted using a remote control system. In-flight refueling system, weapons launcher systems and intelligence gathering equipment are mounted on the interdiction aircraft. A remote flight control operator to remotely fly the interdiction aircraft can be based on a remote flight control commander aircraft that can be flown at safe distances from targets that are attacked by the interdiction aircraft
Abstract:
A disclosed flying craft (100) includes a suspension structure (110) having a first end and a second end, a lift unit (150), and a payload unit (190). The lift unit includes a nacelle (128) and a tailboom (140), and pivotally couples to the first end of the suspension structure, and a payload unit couples to the structure’s second end. Thus the tailboom can pivotally couple with respect to the payload unit, which advantageously permits the tailboom to assume an orientation desirable for a particular mode of flight. During vertical flight or hover, the tailboom can hang from the lift unit in an orientation that is substantially parallel to the suspension structure and that minimizes resistance to downwash from the lift unit. During horizontal flight, the tailboom can be orthogonal to the suspension structure, extending rearward in an orientation where it can develop pitching and yawing moments to control and stabilize horizontal flight. Advantageous variations and methods are also disclosed.
Abstract:
A circular VTOL aircraft with a central vertically mounted turboprop engine (14), driving contra-rotating co-axial propellers (24), above a central jet engine, or engines (12), horizontally mounted on a turntable (11) and steerable through 360 degrees. The turboprop provides vertical thrust from propellers compressing air from an upper circular intake (5) downward through a circular funnel-shaped rotor-chamber (6), to a circular vent (10) at the base of the aircraft. The resulting column of compressed air gives lift for VTOL operations and a cushion of air in flight. The horizontally mounted turbine provides acceleration, retro-thrust and directional control for horizontal flight and vectored thrust for VTOL. An alternative engine configuration (Figure 9), replaces the turboprop and propellers with a vertical turbojet or rocket-engine system providing direct vertical thrust via four control vents (12/14), with an optional horizontal vectored thrust vent (15/37). he aircraft. Fuel-tanks are installed around the central engines. The flight-deck is at the top-centre of the craft above the engines, which are detachable for maintenance.
Abstract:
The modular aircraft system includes a single fuselage (10) having a permanently installed empennage (12) and plural sets of wing modules (46a, 46b, 66a, 66b, 68a, 68b) and engine modules (56, 60, 64), with each wing and engine module optimized for different flight conditions and missions. The fuselage (10) and each of the modules are configured for rapid removal and installation of the modules to minimize downtime for the aircraft. Short wings (46a, 46b) having relatively low aspect ratio are provided for relatively high speed flight when great endurance and/or weight carrying capacity are not of great concern. Long wings (68a, 68b) having high aspect ratio are provided for longer range and endurance flights where speed is not absolutely vital. A medium span wing module (66a, 66b) is also provided. Turboprop (56), single turbojet (60), and dual turbojet (64) engine modules are provided for installation depending upon mission requirements.
Abstract:
A carapaced blended wing-body gliding, flying or airdrop aircraft having rearwardly stowed wings able to assume and/or be caused to assume a flight mode condition, and stowed stabilator components able to assume and/or be caused to assume a flight mode condition. The craft can carry a prone operator or passenger, head to the fore or advance direction, and is able to deploy, post drop from a drop condition (i.e. with stowed wings and stabilator components) into an in flight condition to provide a better than 4:1 glide ratio.
Abstract:
An aircraft attack interdiction system using an unmanned interdiction aircraft piloted using a remote control system. In-flight refueling system, weapons launcher systems and intelligence gathering equipment are mounted on the interdiction aircraft. A remote flight control operator to remotely fly the interdiction aircraft can be based on a remote flight control commander aircraft that can be flown at safe distances from targets that are attacked by the interdiction aircraft
Abstract:
A rotary aircraft (rotorcraft) in which the entire aircraft rotates about its center of mass as it flies, and in which the center of mass is located external to the aircraft in the generally triangular region formed by the aircraft's single wing and two propellers. As the aircraft flies, the two propellers provide torque about the center of mass and rotate the wing, which provides lift for the aircraft. The aircraft is controllable via a stationary radio transmitter that sends commands for pitch, roll, yaw and altitude. A receiver in the aircraft uses the transmitted signal to establish the aircraft's instantaneous orientation in combination with the sent commands to generate control signals that drive the propeller motors that affect the aircraft's attitude. Pitch and roll are controlled by pulse width modulation of the propeller motor voltages in order to affect the thrust at specific portions of the aircraft's rotation cycle.