Transportation method for selectively attachable pod assemblies
First Claim
1. A transportation method comprising:
- providing a flying frame including an airframe having first and second wings with at least two pylons extending therebetween, a distributed propulsion system having at least two propulsion assemblies coupled to the first wing and at least two propulsion assemblies coupled to the second wing and a flight control system, the flying frame having a first flight configuration with a passenger pod assembly coupled thereto and a second flight configuration without a passenger pod assembly coupled thereto;
coupling the flying frame to a first passenger pod assembly at a first location;
lifting the first passenger pod assembly into the air with the flying frame in a vertical takeoff and landing mode wherein the first wing is forward and above the first passenger pod assembly and the second wing is aft and above the first passenger pod assembly with the first passenger pod assembly in a generally horizontal attitude;
transitioning the flying frame from the vertical takeoff and landing mode to a forward flight mode wherein the first wing is below the first passenger pod assembly and the second wing is above the first passenger pod assembly, by rotating the flying frame relative to the first passenger pod assembly such that the first passenger pod assembly remains in the generally horizontal attitude;
transporting the first passenger pod assembly from the first location toward a second location with the flying frame in the forward flight mode;
transitioning the flying frame from the forward flight mode to the vertical takeoff and landing mode by rotating the flying frame relative to the first passenger pod assembly such that the first passenger pod assembly remains in the generally horizontal attitude;
landing the flying frame at the second location in the vertical takeoff and landing mode; and
releasing the first passenger pod assembly from the flying frame.
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Accused Products
Abstract
In some embodiments, a transportation method includes coupling a flying frame to a passenger pod assembly; lifting the passenger pod assembly into the air in a vertical takeoff and landing mode with the passenger pod assembly in a generally horizontal attitude; transitioning from the vertical takeoff and landing mode to a forward flight mode by rotating the flying frame relative to the passenger pod assembly, which remains in the generally horizontal attitude; transporting the passenger pod assembly toward a second location in the forward flight mode; transitioning the flying frame from the forward flight mode to the vertical takeoff and landing mode by rotating the flying frame relative to the passenger pod assembly, which remains in the generally horizontal attitude; landing the flying frame at the second location in the vertical takeoff and landing mode; and releasing the passenger pod assembly.
133 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A transportation method comprising:
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providing a flying frame including an airframe having first and second wings with at least two pylons extending therebetween, a distributed propulsion system having at least two propulsion assemblies coupled to the first wing and at least two propulsion assemblies coupled to the second wing and a flight control system, the flying frame having a first flight configuration with a passenger pod assembly coupled thereto and a second flight configuration without a passenger pod assembly coupled thereto; coupling the flying frame to a first passenger pod assembly at a first location; lifting the first passenger pod assembly into the air with the flying frame in a vertical takeoff and landing mode wherein the first wing is forward and above the first passenger pod assembly and the second wing is aft and above the first passenger pod assembly with the first passenger pod assembly in a generally horizontal attitude; transitioning the flying frame from the vertical takeoff and landing mode to a forward flight mode wherein the first wing is below the first passenger pod assembly and the second wing is above the first passenger pod assembly, by rotating the flying frame relative to the first passenger pod assembly such that the first passenger pod assembly remains in the generally horizontal attitude; transporting the first passenger pod assembly from the first location toward a second location with the flying frame in the forward flight mode; transitioning the flying frame from the forward flight mode to the vertical takeoff and landing mode by rotating the flying frame relative to the first passenger pod assembly such that the first passenger pod assembly remains in the generally horizontal attitude; landing the flying frame at the second location in the vertical takeoff and landing mode; and releasing the first passenger pod assembly from the flying frame. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A transportation method comprising:
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providing a flying frame including an airframe having first and second wings with at least two pylons extending therebetween, a distributed propulsion system having at least two propulsion assemblies coupled to the first wing and at least two propulsion assemblies coupled to the second wing and a flight control system, the flying frame having a first flight configuration with a pod assembly coupled thereto and a second flight configuration without the pod assembly coupled thereto; coupling the flying frame to a first pod assembly with a payload at a first location; lifting the first pod assembly into the air with the flying frame in a vertical takeoff and landing mode wherein the first wing is forward of the first pod assembly and the second wing is aft of the first pod assembly; transitioning the flying frame from the vertical takeoff and landing mode to a forward flight mode wherein the first wing is below the first pod assembly and the second wing is above the first pod assembly; transporting the first pod assembly from the first location toward a second location with the flying frame in forward flight mode; transitioning the flying frame from the forward flight mode to the vertical takeoff and landing mode; landing the flying frame at the second location in the vertical takeoff and landing mode; and releasing the first pod assembly with the payload from the flying frame. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification