Multi-mission/purpose ground-effect craft derived from a common modular platform

• US 20060162638A1
• Filed: 01/26/2005
• Published: 07/27/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 01/26/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Franz B. Boncodin
• Original Assignee: Franz B. Boncodin
• Inventors: Boncodin, Franz B.
• Granted Patent: US 7,398,740 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 114/272
• CPC Class Codes: B60V 1/04 wherein the cushion is contained at least in part by walls
• CPC Class Codes: B60V 1/08 wherein the cushion is created during forward movement of the vehicle by ram effect
• CPC Class Codes: B60V 3/06 Waterborne vessels

Abstract

A multi-mission/purpose ground-effect craft is provided which is derived from a common modular platform which includes a hull; an inner floor structure adapted to be installed over the hull; a body adapted to be attached to at least one of the top surface of the hull and the inner floor structure, such that a interior compartment is formed thereinside; a tail wing assembly adapted to be attached to the aft end of the body; a forward nose cowl adapted to be attached to at least one of the forward nose portion of the hull and the forward body portion of the body; a windshield integrated into the forward end of the body; at least one door assembly integrated into the left or right body side; at least one window assembly integrated into the left or right body side; a propulsion system integrated within the aft end of the body; and a retractable skirt attached and draped from the outer or inner perimeter of the hull.

Claims

1. A multi-mission/purpose ground-effect craft derived from a common modular platform, the craft having a body with a forward end and aft end, the craft comprising:

a hull having a top surface and bottom surface, and an outer perimeter defined by a forward nose portion, a leftside, rightside and aft side;

an inner floor structure adapted to be installed over the hull;

a body having an outside surface, inside surface, forward body portion, aft body portion, left body side, right body side and roof portion, the body adapted to be attached to at least one of the top surface of the hull and the inner floor structure, such that a interior compartment is formed thereinside;

a tail wing assembly adapted to be attached to the aft end of the body;

a forward nose cowl adapted to be attached to at least one of the forward nose portion of the hull and the forward body portion of the body;

a windshield integrated into the forward end of the body;

at least one door assembly integrated into the left or right body side;

at least one window assembly integrated into the left or right body side;

a propulsion system integrated within the aft end of the body; and

a skirt attached and draped from the outer perimeter of the hull.

32. The craft of claim 1, further including a detachable wing sub-assembly comprising a left wing and a right wing interconnected by an interconnection member adapted to attach to at least one of the body and hull of the craft.

35. The craft of claim 1, wherein an exterior shape of the craft is designed to have a minimized radar signature and the materials that the craft is constructed materials thereof have maximum radar absorbing characteristics.

36. The craft of claim 1, further including an automatic gun attached to a forward roof portion.

37. The craft of claim 1, further including at least one automatic gun interfaced via a turret from the interior compartment to the exterior of the craft.

38. The craft of claim 1, further including a hatch disposed through the roof portion of the body.

39. The craft of claim 1 further including an interior bulkhead which separates the interior compartment into a cockpit and a propulsion system bay.

40. The craft of claim 1, the cockpit including at least one seat attached to the inner floor structure.

41. The craft of claim 1, further including a control panel adapted to function as a structural bulkhead interconnecting the forward body portion, the forward nose cowl, and the windshield assembly.

42. The craft of claim 39, the control panel further comprising at least one of flight controls, display panel, steering yoke, ignition switch, communications equipment and navigation equipment.

2. The craft of claim 2, further comprising a cylindrically-shaped duct with a lift fan assembly integrated therein for generating a hovering ground effect between the bottom surface of the hull, the skirt and at least one of land or a water body.

3. The craft of claim 2, wherein the cylindrically-shaped duct is formed therethrough the forward end of the craft, including the forward nose cowl and the forward nose portion of the hull.

4. The craft of claim 2, wherein the duct and a centerline thereof is oriented generally perpendicular to the hull.

5. The craft of claim 2, wherein a fan of the lift fan assembly is inclined at an angle θ

ranging from about 15 to 35 degrees from the centerline of the duct.

6. The craft of claim 2, further comprising a left wing attached to the left body side and a right wing attached to the right body side, each wing having an upper surface, lower surface, leading edge, trailing edge, distal wing tip and inboard attachment interface side.

7. The craft of claim 6, each wing including at least one air brake comprising an actuated panel adapted to deploy from at least one of the upper and lower surface of the wing to slow the craft down while in operation.

8. The craft of claim 6, each wing including a stall inducing control edge integrated into the leading edge of each wing.

9. The craft of claim 6, each wing including an aileron integrated into the trailing edge of the wing for controlling the craft.

10. The craft of claim 6, each wing including a hinge generally perpendicular transverse to the length of the wingspan, wherein the wing is adapted to folded in an upright position or deployed position.

11. The craft of claim 6, each wing including a winglet disposed on the distal wing tip.

12. The craft of claim 2, the tail wing assembly including a rear vertical stabilizer defined by a leading edge, trailing edge, upper distal tip, left stabilizer side, right stabilizer side, and lower attachment interface side.

13. The craft of claim 12, the rear vertical stabilizer further including a rudder integrated into the trailing edge for controlling the craft.

14. The craft of claim 12, the tail wing assembly further including a left and right horizontal rear stabilizer attached near the upper distal tip of the rear vertical stabilizer, each horizontal rear stabilizer defined by a leading edge, trailing edge, distal tip, and inboard attachment interface side.

15. The craft of claim 14, each horizontal rear stabilizer including an elevator integrated into the trailing edge for controlling the craft

16. The craft of claim 14, each horizontal rear stabilizer including a winglet disposed on the distal tip.

17. The craft of claim 2, the propulsion system comprising a turbine-jet engine.

18. The craft of claim 17, further including a left and right air intake integrated into the left and right body side for directing air into the turbine-jet engine.

19. The craft of claim 17, further including at least one of a generator or alternator for providing electrical power to the craft.

20. The craft of claim 19, wherein electrical power is provided to the lift fan assembly from the at least one of a generator or alternator.

21. The craft of claim 2, the propulsion system comprising a left and right side fan assembly, each side fan assembly attached to the aft end of the craft.

22. The craft of claim 21, each side fan assembly comprising a cylindrical shroud enclosing a fan that provides propulsion.

23. The craft of claim 2, further including a power generation system for providing electrical power to the craft.

24. The craft of claim 23, wherein electrical power is provided to the lift fan assembly from the power generation system.

25. The craft of claim 24, wherein the power generation system comprises a power generating fuel cell.

26. The craft of claim 24, wherein the power generation system comprises a combustion engine coupled with at least one of a generator or alternator.

27. The craft of claim 2, the propulsion system comprising an aft propeller propulsion system.

28. The craft of claim 27, the aft propeller system including an engine powerplant adapted to rotatably drive a driveshaft having a propeller attached thereto which provides propulsion.

29. The craft of claim 27, further including at least one generator or alternator coupled to the engine powerplant for providing power to the lift fan assembly.

30. The craft of claim 2, further including at least one battery for providing backup power to the lift fan assembly.

31. The craft of claim 2, further including a body-mounted pontoon attached the left and right body sides of the craft.

33. The craft of claim 31, further including a plurality of floatation tubes positioned generally around the outer perimeter of the hull.

34. The craft of claim 6, each wing further comprising removable/attachable pontoon assemblies adapted to be attached to the lower surface of the wing.