Aeroelastic wing shaping using distributed propulsion

US9751614B1 · kind B1 · utility

Assignee

• The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of NASA · US

Inventors

• Nhan T. Nguyen · Watertown, US
• Kevin Wayne Reynolds · Menlo Park, US
• Eric Ting · Los Altos, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Dec 31, 2015
• Grant date: Sep 5, 2017
• Expiry date: Dec 31, 2035

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y02T50/60
• WIPO field: Transport
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

An aircraft has wings configured to twist during flight. Inboard and outboard propulsion devices, such as turbofans or other propulsors, are connected to each wing, and are spaced along the wing span. A flight controller independently controls thrust of the inboard and outboard propulsion devices to significantly change flight dynamics, including changing thrust of outboard propulsion devices to twist the wing, and to differentially apply thrust on each wing to change yaw and other aspects of the aircraft during various stages of a flight mission. One or more generators can be positioned upon the wing to provide power for propulsion devices on the same wing, and on an opposite wing.