Low observable aircraft having a unitary lift fan
US11072423B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 29, 2020 |
| Grant date | Jul 27, 2021 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 23, 2040 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02T50/60
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An aircraft operable to transition between thrust-borne lift in a VTOL orientation and wing-borne lift in a forward flight orientation. The aircraft has a blended wing body and includes an engine, a unitary lift fan system, a forced air bypass system and an exhaust system. The engine has a turboshaft mode and a turbofan mode. The lift fan system includes a ducted fan. In the VTOL orientation of the aircraft, the engine is in the turboshaft mode coupled to the lift fan system such that the engine provides rotational energy to the ducted fan generating the thrust-borne lift. In the forward flight orientation of the aircraft, the engine is in the turbofan mode coupled to the forced air bypass system such that the bypass air combines with the engine exhaust in the exhaust system to provide forward thrust generating the wing-borne lift.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.