Wing-in-ground effect vehicles and methods of control

US12330781B1 · kind B1 · utility

Assignee

• Regent Craft, Inc. · US

Inventors

• William Thalheimer · Cambridge, US
• Michael Klinker · Hollis, US
• William Bryan Baker · Cohasset, US
• Edward Lester · Somerville, US
• Daniel Cottrell · Centreville, US
• Christian Bailey · Palo Alto, US
• David W. Larson · Rochester, US
• Bradley C. Buskirk · Charlotte, US
• Jason Castriota · Stamford, US
• Marco Borge · Olla, IT
• Andrew Gregg · Stanford, US
• Andrew Levin · Jensen Beach, US
• Michael Christopher Tilley · Amherst, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Aug 10, 2022
• Grant date: Jun 17, 2025
• Expiry date: Oct 21, 2042

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B64D27/357
• WIPO field: Transport
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

A craft includes a hull, a wing, a hydrofoil, and a control system. The wing is configured to generate upwards aero lift as air flows past the wing to facilitate wing-borne flight of the craft. The hydrofoil is configured to generate upwards hydrofoil lift during a first mode of operation as water flows past the hydrofoil to facilitate hydrofoil-borne movement of the craft through the water. While the craft is hydrofoil-borne, the control system is configured to determine the upwards aero lift generated by the wing. The control system is further configured to control the hydrofoil to generate downwards hydrofoil lift to counteract the upwards aero lift generated by the wing that maintains the hydrofoil at least partially submerged in the water while the determined upwards aero lift is below a threshold lift.