Vertical takeoff and landing vehicle with increased cruise efficiency
US9896200B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 24, 2016 |
| Grant date | Feb 20, 2018 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 24, 2036 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S903/903
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
Systems, methods, and devices are provided that combine an advance vehicle configuration, such as an advanced aircraft configuration, with the infusion of electric propulsion, thereby enabling a four times increase in range and endurance while maintaining a full vertical takeoff and landing (“VTOL”) and hover capability for the vehicle. Embodiments may provide vehicles with both VTOL and cruise efficient capabilities without the use of ground infrastructure. An embodiment vehicle may comprise a wing configured to tilt through a range of motion, a first series of electric motors coupled to the wing and each configured to drive an associated wing propeller, a tail configured to tilt through the range of motion, a second series of electric motors coupled to the tail and each configured to drive an associated tail propeller, and an electric propulsion system connected to the first series of electric motors and the second series of electric motors.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.