WINGED MULTI-ROTOR FLYING CRAFT WITH PAYLOAD ACCOMODATING SHIFTING STRUCTURE AND AUTOMATIC PAYLOAD DELIVERY
First Claim
1. A vertical takeoff/landing capable flying multi-engine aircraft without elevator or rudder surfaces, comprising:
- at least one lifting airfoil without elevator or rudder surfaces, having strut apertures adapted to accommodate vertical translation and horizontal translation of the airfoil in reference to struts disposed through the apertures;
engine supporting struts disposed through the apertures, opposite ends of the struts extending to opposite sides of the airfoil, wherein the struts are adjustably attached to the airfoil;
a first plurality of engines attached to an end of the struts, wherein an attachment position of the first plurality of engines to the struts is horizontally adjustable;
a second plurality of engines attached to an opposite end of the struts, wherein an attachment position of the second plurality of engines to the struts is horizontally adjustable; and
a computerized engine controller, controlling respective thrusts of the first and second plurality of engines to enable the aircraft to vertically lift off/land and re-orient itself to horizontally fly, and perform thrust-initiated elevator and rudder emulating flight.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A vertical takeoff/landing capable, multi-engine aircraft with an airfoil without elevator or rudder surfaces. Strut apertures are provided that accommodate vertical and horizontal translation of the airfoil in reference to engine supporting struts which are disposed through the apertures, opposite ends of the struts extending to opposite sides of the airfoil, wherein the struts are adjustably attached to the airfoil. A first and second plurality of engines are attached to ends of the struts, an attachment position of the plurality of engines to the struts is horizontally adjustable. A computerized engine controller, controls thrusts of the engines, to enable the aircraft to vertically lift off/land and re-orient itself to horizontally fly, and perform thrust-initiated elevator and rudder emulating flight. An external payload-to-delivery mating mechanism is attached to the bottom of the payload, which mates to a pole leading to the payload receptacle. Transceivers facilitate precise transfer of the payload.
289 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A vertical takeoff/landing capable flying multi-engine aircraft without elevator or rudder surfaces, comprising:
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at least one lifting airfoil without elevator or rudder surfaces, having strut apertures adapted to accommodate vertical translation and horizontal translation of the airfoil in reference to struts disposed through the apertures; engine supporting struts disposed through the apertures, opposite ends of the struts extending to opposite sides of the airfoil, wherein the struts are adjustably attached to the airfoil; a first plurality of engines attached to an end of the struts, wherein an attachment position of the first plurality of engines to the struts is horizontally adjustable; a second plurality of engines attached to an opposite end of the struts, wherein an attachment position of the second plurality of engines to the struts is horizontally adjustable; and a computerized engine controller, controlling respective thrusts of the first and second plurality of engines to enable the aircraft to vertically lift off/land and re-orient itself to horizontally fly, and perform thrust-initiated elevator and rudder emulating flight. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 14)
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11. An automatic payload delivery system using an autonomous aircraft with a payload and a payload receiving receptacle, comprising:
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a vertical takeoff/landing capable flying multi-engine aircraft without elevator or rudder surfaces, comprising; at least one lifting airfoil without elevator or rudder surfaces, having strut apertures adapted to accommodate vertical translation and horizontal translation of the airfoil in reference to struts disposed through the apertures; engine supporting struts disposed through the apertures, opposite ends of the struts extending to opposite sides of the airfoil, wherein the struts are adjustably attached to the airfoil; a first plurality of engines attached to an end of the struts, wherein an attachment position of the first plurality of engines to the struts is horizontally adjustable; and a second plurality of engines attached to an opposite end of the struts, wherein an attachment position of the second plurality of engines to the struts is horizontally adjustable; a computerized engine controller, controlling respective thrusts of the first and second plurality of engines to enable the aircraft to vertically lift off/land and re-orient itself to horizontally fly, and perform thrust-initiated elevator and rudder emulating flight; an externally attached payload, attached to a bottom and center portion of the airfoil; an external payload-to-delivery system transfer mating mechanism, attached to a bottom of the payload; a location assistance receiver in the aircraft, adapted to provide location accuracy and docking precision for the aircraft when transferring the payload to the delivery system. - View Dependent Claims (13, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification