Vertical take off and landing (VTOL) aircraft with vectored thrust having continuously variable pitch attitude in hover

US11613349B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• United States of America as represented by the Administrator of NASA · US

Inventors

• David D. North · North Palm Beach, US
• Michael P. Hendrickson · Hampton, US
• Joshua C. Glaab · Hampton, US

Key dates

• Filing date: May 25, 2021
• Grant date: Mar 28, 2023
• Expiry date: May 25, 2041

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B64C11/48
• WIPO field: Transport
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

The presently disclosed embodiments relate to vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) aircraft that have the capability of hovering in both a “nose forward” and a “nose up” orientation, and any orientation between those two. The disclosed aircraft can also transition into wing born (non-hovering) flight from any of the hovering orientations. In addition, certain of the disclosed embodiments can, if desired, use only vectored thrust control to maintain stable flight in both hover and forward flight. No control surfaces (e.g. ailerons, elevators, rudders, flaps) are required to maintain a stable vehicle attitude. However, the disclosure contemplates aircraft both with and without such control surfaces.