Aircraft having a lift/propulsion unit
US8317126B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 15, 2010 |
| Grant date | Nov 27, 2012 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 17, 2030 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02T50/60
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An aircraft having a lift/propulsion unit which includes a power unit such as a turboshaft engine which drives a fan through a transmission mechanism. The fan discharges to vectoring nozzles which can be independently swivelled to provide lift or propulsion thrust. An output shaft of the transmission mechanism serves as the main shaft of a motor/generator of modular form. The motor/generator can act as a generator to charge an electrical storage device such as a battery, or as a motor to drive the fan, either alone or to supplement the output of engine. Reaction control nozzles are provided at extremities of the aircraft to provide stabilizing thrust. The aircraft is capable of vertical take off and hovering, with the vectoring nozzles swivelled to a lift position, and forward thrust with the vectoring nozzles swivelled to a propulsion position.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.