Convertible aircraft provided with two tilt fans on either side of the fuselage, and with a non-tilting fan inserted in the fuselage

• US 20060022084A1
• Filed: 12/21/2004
• Published: 02/02/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 12/23/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Airbus Helicopters
• Original Assignee: Eurocopter
• Inventors: Magre, Eric
• Granted Patent: US 7,188,802 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 244/12.400
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 29/0033 the propellers being tiltable relative to the fuselage

Abstract

The present invention relates to a convertible. aircraft provided with first and second tilt fans disposed on either side of the fuselage a little forward of the center of gravity of the convertible aircraft. In addition, the convertible aircraft includes, in remarkable manner, a non-tilting fan that is permanently in a vertical position and that is contained inside the fuselage.

Claims

1. A convertible aircraft provided with first and second tilt fans disposed on either side of the fuselage a little forward of the center of gravity of said aircraft, said aircraft including a non-tilting fan, permanently in vertical position, inserted inside the fuselage.

2. A convertible aircraft according to claim 1, wherein two “

canard”

wings are disposed on either side of said fuselage.

3. A convertible aircraft according to claim 1, wherein two engines are inserted in said fuselage and drive said non-tilting fan as well as the first and second tilt fans.

4. A convertible aircraft according to claim 3, wherein said two engines drive said non-tilting fan and the first and second tilt fans via a single main gearbox.

5. A convertible aircraft according to claim 3, wherein the exhaust gases from said two engines are mixed in a duct with cold air coming from said non-tilting fan, thereby creating a flow of diluted air.

6. A convertible aircraft according to claim 5, wherein a two-directional jet deflector arranged at the rear of said aircraft deflects said diluted flow of air when it is expelled from the aircraft.

7. A convertible aircraft according to claim 3, wherein said engines are inserted in the fuselage behind the cabin of said convertible aircraft.

8. A convertible aircraft according to claim 7, wherein said convertible aircraft is provided with two main wings disposed on either side of the fuselage, said main wings being sweptback.

9. A convertible aircraft according to claim 8, wherein said main wings are in the high position.

10. A convertible aircraft according to claim 8, wherein each end of said main wings is provided with a winglet.

11. A convertible aircraft according to claim 10, wherein said winglet includes a single flap.

12. A convertible aircraft according to claim 7, wherein two distinct air inlets disposed in the respective sides of the fuselage feed said engines with fresh air.

13. A convertible aircraft according to claim 12, wherein said non-tilting fan sucks in the air coming from said air inlets.

14. A convertible aircraft according to claim 8, wherein said main wings are provided with double-slotted high-lift flaps.

15. A convertible aircraft according to claim 3, wherein said engines are inserted in the fuselage above the cabin of said convertible aircraft.

16. A convertible aircraft according to claim 15, wherein said convertible aircraft is provided with two main wings disposed on either side of the fuselage, said main wings being sweptforward.

17. A convertible aircraft according to claim 15, including a tail fin.

18. A convertible aircraft according to claim 17, wherein said tail fin is associated with tail stabilizers.

19. A convertible aircraft according to claim 15, wherein two distinct air inlets situated on top of the fuselage feed fresh air to said engines.

20. A convertible aircraft according to claim 16, wherein said main wings are in the high position.

21. A convertible aircraft according to claim 16, wherein said main wings are provided with double-slotted high-lift flaps.

22. A convertible aircraft according to claim 19, wherein said non-tilting fan sucks in the air coming from said air inlets.