Dual-mode vehicle with wheel rotors
US10675932B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 8, 2017 |
| Grant date | Jun 9, 2020 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 14, 2038 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB64C25/36
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A dual-mode vehicle, wheels for the vehicle, and a method of transitioning the vehicle from a land mode to a flight mode. In the land mode, the method includes rotating a pair of spaced wheel arms about a central pivot to lower a body of the dual-mode vehicle to a ground surface. Each wheel arm extends from the central pivot to a wheel. The method also includes rotating the central pivot about a longitudinal vehicle axis to raise the wheel arms and the wheels above the ground surface. After raising the wheel arms and wheels above the ground surface, the method includes rotating the wheel arms about the central pivot to position the wheels for use as rotors in the flight mode. In the flight mode, the method includes rotating the wheels in order to extract rotor blades positioned within the wheels to extend beyond the wheels.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.