Vtol vehicles

• US 20060113426A1
• Filed: 08/05/2003
• Published: 06/01/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 08/05/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Urban Aeronautics Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Urban Aeronautics Ltd.
• Inventors: Yoeli, Raphael
• Application Number:
  US10/523,609
• Publication Number:
  US 20060113426A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 244/23.A
• CPC Class Codes: B60V 1/04 wherein the cushion is contained at least in part by walls
• CPC Class Codes: B60V 3/08 Aircraft, e.g. air-cushion alighting-gear therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 1/1415 Cargo doors, e.g. incorporating ramps
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 1/22 Other structures integral with fuselages to facilitate loading , e.g. cargo bays, cranes
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 2211/00 Modular constructions of airplanes or helicopters
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 27/20 Rotorcraft characterised by having shrouded rotors, e.g. flying platforms
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 29/0025 the propellers being fixed relative to the fuselage
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 3/54 Varying in area
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 3/56 Folding or collapsing to reduce overall dimensions of aircraft
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 35/04 characterised by the transmission driving a plurality of propellers or rotors
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 7/06 movably mounted

Abstract

A vehicle including a fuselage (11) having a longitudinal axis (La) and a transverse axis (Ta), at least one lift-producing propeller (12a, 12b) carried by the fuselage (11) on each side of the transverse axis (Ta), a pilot'"'"'s compartment (13) formed in the fuselage (11) between the lift-producing propellers (12a, 12b) and substantially aligned with one side of the fuselage (11), and a payload bay (14a, 14b) formed in the fuselage (11) between the lift-producing propellers (12a, 12b) and opposite the pilot'"'"'s compartment (13). Many variations are described enabling the vehicle to be used not only as a VTOL vehicle, but also as a multi-function utility vehicle for performing many diverse functions including hovercraft and ATV functions.

Claims

1. A vehicle, comprising:

a fuselage having a longitudinal axis and a transverse axis;

at least one lift-producing propeller carried by said fuselage on each side of said transverse axis;

a pilot'"'"'s compartment formed in said fuselage between said lift-producing propellers and substantially aligned with one side of said fuselage; and

a payload bay formed in said fuselage between said lift-producing propellers and opposite said pilot'"'"'s compartment.

2. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein said payload bay includes a cover deployable to an open position providing access to said payload bay, and to a closed position covering the payload bay.

3. The vehicle according to claim 2, wherein the cover of said payload bay is pivotally mounted to the top of said fuselage along an axis parallel to said longitudinal axis.

4. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the vehicle includes a flexible skirt extending below the fuselage enabling the vehicle to be used as a hovercraft for movement over ground or water.

5. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the vehicle includes at least one outward-facing seat disposed in said payload bay opposite said pilot'"'"'s compartment.