Aerodynamic and spatial composite flight aircraft, and related piloting method
US8702041B2 · kind B2 · utility
3Cited by
20References
9Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 17, 2007 |
| Grant date | Apr 22, 2014 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 12, 2029 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02T50/40
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An aircraft having propulsion units for both conventional aircraft flight in the atmosphere and for high-altitude operation as a rocket. The aircraft is divided into a payload compartment and a compartment containing rocket propulsion unit propellant or fuel, and includes a long transverse wing with a small back-sweep to favor lift in the dense layers of the atmosphere and to thus make it possible to climb to high altitudes at a subsonic speed before using the rocket propulsion units. The return flight portion is performed by gliding or controlled as for a conventional aircraft.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.