Vertical takeoff and landing aircraft using a redundant array of independent rotors
First Claim
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1. A vertical take off and landing aircraft using a vertical lifting and directional control means comprising:
- six or more substantially similar independent electrically powered thrusting means;
means for mechanically joining said independent electric powered thrusting means in fixed positions relative to one another and spaced apart in an approximate geometric plane with a common thrust vector direction substantially perpendicular to said approximate geometric plane;
thrust magnitude control means whereby the individual or collective magnitude of thrust from said independent electrically powered thrusting means can be altered during operation of said vertical take off and landing aircraft;
means of attaching a payload carrying means whereby the center of mass of said payload-carrying means is substantially near the center of said approximate geometric plane.
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Abstract
A vertical takeoff and landing aircraft, using for vertical lift and lateral thrust a redundant plurality of essentially similar electrically-powered and electronically-controlled thrust units mounted in a mechanically static or fixed fashion relative to one another in a substantially horizontal plane. The thrust units are situated in this planar array in aerodynamically approximate pairs, such that a complete failure of a single thrust unit would not substantially compromise the ability of the aircraft to maintain flight.
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Citations
12 Claims
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1. A vertical take off and landing aircraft using a vertical lifting and directional control means comprising:
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six or more substantially similar independent electrically powered thrusting means;
means for mechanically joining said independent electric powered thrusting means in fixed positions relative to one another and spaced apart in an approximate geometric plane with a common thrust vector direction substantially perpendicular to said approximate geometric plane;
thrust magnitude control means whereby the individual or collective magnitude of thrust from said independent electrically powered thrusting means can be altered during operation of said vertical take off and landing aircraft;
means of attaching a payload carrying means whereby the center of mass of said payload-carrying means is substantially near the center of said approximate geometric plane. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A vertical take off and landing aircraft using a redundant array of independent rotors comprising:
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six or more substantially similar independent electrically powered thrusting means wherein said independent thrusting means incorporate rotational air movement means;
means for mechanically joining said independent electric powered thrusting means in fixed positions relative to one another and spaced apart in an approximate geometric plane with a common thrust vector direction substantially perpendicular to said approximate geometric plane;
thrust magnitude control means whereby the individual or collective magnitude of thrust from said independent electrically powered thrusting means can be altered during operation of said vertical take off and landing aircraft and wherein said thrust magnitude control means incorporates an analog or digital computer means;
means of attaching a payload carrying means whereby the center of mass of said payload-carrying means is substantially near the center of said approximate geometric plane. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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Specification