DUCTED VERTICAL TAKE-OFF AND LANDING (VTOL) PERSONNEL CARRIER

• US 20090224095A1
• Filed: 03/04/2008
• Published: 09/10/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 03/04/2008
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
• Original Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
• Inventors: Goossen, Emray, Cox, Paul Alan
• Application Number:
  US12/042,030
• Publication Number:
  US 20090224095A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 244/17.230
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 27/20 Rotorcraft characterised by having shrouded rotors, e.g. flying platforms
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 39/024 of the remote controlled vehicle type, i.e. RPV
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 39/026 for use as personal propulsion unit
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 10/13 Flying platforms
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 30/20 Rotors; Rotor supports
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 30/26 Ducted or shrouded rotors

Abstract

A vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) vehicle includes a first thruster, a first duct, a second thruster, a second duct, an engine pod, and a transport unit. The first duct is configured to direct airflow generated by the first thruster. The second duct is configured to direct airflow generated by the second thruster. The engine pod is formed between the first duct and the second duct. The transport unit is formed between the first duct and the second duct, and is configured to transport a person or another payload. The transport unit is alternatively a person transport or a surveillance package pod.

Claims

1. A vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) vehicle comprising:

a first thruster;

a first duct configured to direct airflow generated by the first thruster;

a second thruster;

a second duct configured to direct airflow generated by the second thruster; and

a transport unit formed between the first duct and the second duct and configured to transport a person or another payload.

2. The VTOL vehicle of claim 1, wherein the transport unit comprises:

a first end attached to the first duct; and

a second end attached to the second duct.

3. The VTOL vehicle of claim 1, wherein the first duct and the second duct are aligned along a lateral plane.

4. The VTOL vehicle of claim 1, wherein the transport unit comprises a backboard and a cover.

5. The VTOL vehicle of claim 1, wherein the transport unit comprises a chair.

6. The VTOL vehicle of claim 5, wherein the chair comprises one or more accessories selected from the group consisting of:

straps, restraints, a control stick, and a pitch compensation rotation device.

7. The VTOL vehicle of claim 1, wherein:

the first thruster comprises a first fan configured to rotate in a first direction; and

the second thruster comprises a second fan configured to rotate in a second direction that is counter to the first direction.

8. The VTOL vehicle of claim 7, wherein the first fan and the second fan are configured to be coupled to and powered by an engine.

9. A vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) vehicle comprising:

a body;

a first fan housed within the body and configured to rotate in a first direction;

a first duct housed within the body and configured to direct airflow generated by the first fan;

a second fan housed within the body and configured to rotate in a second direction that is counter to the first direction;

a second duct configured to direct airflow generated by the second fan; and

a transport unit housed within the body between the first duct and the second duct and configured to transport a person or another payload.

10. The VTOL vehicle of claim 9, wherein the transport unit comprises:

a first end attached to the first duct; and

a second end attached to the second duct.

11. The VTOL vehicle of claim 9, wherein the first duct and the second duct are aligned along a lateral plane.

12. The VTOL vehicle of claim 9, wherein the transport unit comprises a backboard and a cover.

13. The VTOL vehicle of claim 9, wherein the transport unit comprises a chair.

14. The VTOL vehicle of claim 13, wherein the chair comprises one or more accessories selected from the group consisting of:

straps, restraints, a control stick, and a pitch compensation rotation device.

15. The VTOL vehicle of claim 9, wherein the first fan and the second fan are configured to be coupled to and powered by an engine.

16. A vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) vehicle comprising:

a body;

a first fan housed within the body and configured to rotate in a first direction;

a first duct housed within the body and configured to direct airflow generated by the first fan;

a second fan housed within the body and configured to rotate in a second direction that is counter to the first direction;

a second duct housed within the body and configured to direct airflow generated by the second fan; and

a transport unit housed within the body between the first duct and the second duct and adaptable between;

a first configuration, in which the transport unit comprises a backboard and a cover; and

a second configuration, in which the transport unit comprises a chair.

17. The VTOL vehicle of claim 16, wherein the transport unit comprises:

a first end attached to the first duct; and

a second end attached to the second duct.

18. The VTOL vehicle of claim 17, wherein the first duct and the second duct are aligned along a lateral plane.

19. The VTOL vehicle of claim 16, wherein the first fan and the second fan are configured to be coupled to and powered by an engine.

20. The VTOL vehicle of claim 16, further comprising:

an engine pod formed between the first duct and the second duct.