Patent · US Expired

Infrared radiation powered lightweight aircraft

US4907764A · kind A · utility

15Cited by
4References
20Claims
0Family size

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateJun 8, 1988
Grant dateMar 13, 1990
Priority date
Expiry dateJun 8, 2008

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY02T50/60
  • WIPO fieldTransport
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A high altitude reconnaissance platform is implemented by an ultralight aircraft powered solely by long wave infrared cells mounted on the lower surfaces of the wings and the fuselage. The aircraft may be of the pusher, slow speed propeller style, with a larger rear wing and a small, canard-type front wing. The bottom of the fuselage may be flat. The two wings may be vertically offset from one-another, and the cross-section of the wings may be relatively thick, with the ratio of the width of the wings to their thickness being in the order of about 6 to 8.

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