Patent · US Active

Aircraft having rotor-to-wing conversion capabilities

US10414492B2 · kind B2 · utility

5Cited by

11References

20Claims

0Family size

Assignee

Bell Textron Inc. · US

Inventors

Daniel Bryan Robertson · Southlake, US
Kirk Landon Groninga · Keller, US
Frank B. Stamps · Colleyville, US

Key dates

Filing date	Aug 30, 2016
Grant date	Sep 17, 2019
Priority date	—
Expiry date	Apr 18, 2038

Classification

Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
CPC primaryB64U10/20
WIPO fieldTransport
WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A tail sitter aircraft includes a fuselage having a forward portion and an aft portion. The forward portion of the fuselage includes first and second rotor stations. A first rotor assembly is positioned proximate the first rotor station. A second rotor assembly is positioned proximate the second rotor station. A tailboom assembly extends from the aft portion of the fuselage. The tailboom assembly includes a plurality of landing members. In a vertical takeoff and landing mode of the aircraft, the first and second rotor assemblies rotate about the fuselage to provide vertical thrust. In a forward flight mode of the aircraft, the first rotor assembly rotates about the fuselage to provide forward thrust and the second rotor assembly is non-rotatable about the fuselage forming wings to provide lift.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.