Patent · US Active

Multi-modal vehicle

US9132915B2 · kind B2 · utility

29Cited by
5References
29Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateMay 9, 2011
Grant dateSep 15, 2015
Priority date
Expiry dateOct 16, 2031

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB60F3/0007
  • WIPO fieldTransport
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A multi-modal vehicle (“MMV”) 20a-20d. The MMV 20a-20d includes a fuselage 22 and a chassis 26 supporting at least three wheels 44 having deployed and stowed states. Extending away from the fuselage 22 is a canard wing system 28 and a main wing system 30. The main wing system 30 includes an inboard portion 134 and an outboard portion 132. The inboard portion 134 is pivotally connected to the fuselage 22; the outboard portion 132 is pivotally connected to the inboard portion 134. The MMV 20a-20d further includes a vertical thrust system 32 comprising a pair of ducted fans 100 that are incorporated into the fuselage 22, and a dual-use thrust system 34 that is configured to transition between a first position for supplying vertical thrust and a second position for supplying a horizontal thrust. A controller 42 is configured to control the MMV operations, reconfigurations, or transitions.

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