Wingtip and sponson interaction on an amphibious aircraft
US8286912B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 13, 2012 |
| Grant date | Oct 16, 2012 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 13, 2032 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02T70/10
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A system for enhanced lateral stability of an amphibious aircraft includes a buoyancy system laterally displaced from opposite sides of the fuselage of the aircraft and wingtip system having a hydrodynamic planing surface associated with each wingtip. The hydrodynamic planing surface on each wingtip prevents the submersion of an associated buoyancy structure. By supplementing the lateral stability of the buoyancy structures using hydrodynamic planing surfaces, the combined lateral width of the fuselage and buoyancy structures can be reduced without detrimentally impacting operational performance. This reduced lateral width enables the amphibious aircraft to be configured for storage and transportation on a trailer or shipping container.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.