SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR IMPROVING TRANSITION LIFT-FAN PERFORMANCE
First Claim
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1. A propulsion system for increasing efficiency during a vertical take off and landing (VTOL) aircraft'"'"'s transition, comprising:
- a plurality of lift fans arranged into three or more separately controlled groups, wherein the plurality of lift fans are used to transition a VTOL aircraft between vertical flight and horizontal flight;
wherein a first group of lift fans is kept at full throttle during transition;
wherein a second group of lift fans is throttled to balance thrust during transition; and
wherein a third group of lift fans is shut off during transition.
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Abstract
A system and method enabled to increase efficiency during a VTOL aircraft'"'"'s transition. A VTOL aircraft enabled to operate multiple lift fans arranged into separately controllable groups, wherein the VTOL aircraft initially has vertical flight but transitions to horizontal flight. A first group of lift fans may be kept at full throttle, a second group of lift fans may be throttled to balance thrust and/or weight, and a third group of lift fans may be shut off.
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Citations
16 Claims
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1. A propulsion system for increasing efficiency during a vertical take off and landing (VTOL) aircraft'"'"'s transition, comprising:
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a plurality of lift fans arranged into three or more separately controlled groups, wherein the plurality of lift fans are used to transition a VTOL aircraft between vertical flight and horizontal flight; wherein a first group of lift fans is kept at full throttle during transition; wherein a second group of lift fans is throttled to balance thrust during transition; and wherein a third group of lift fans is shut off during transition. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A vertical take off and landing (VTOL) aircraft having an increased efficiency during vertical takeoff and landing transitions, comprising:
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a plurality of lift fans arranged into three or more separately controlled groups, wherein the plurality of lift fans are used to transition the VTOL aircraft between vertical flight and horizontal flight; wherein a first group of lift fans is kept at full throttle during transition; wherein a second group of lift fans is throttled to balance thrust during transition; and wherein a third group of lift fans is shut off during transition. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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Specification