Circular wing aircraft

• US 5,503,351 A
• Filed: 09/06/1994
• Issued: 04/02/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 09/06/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Gabor I. Vass
• Original Assignee: Gabor I. Vass
• Inventors: Vass, Gabor I.
• Primary Examiner(s): Kashnikow, Andres
• Assistant Examiner(s): MARQUIS, LISSI MOJICA
• Application Number:
  US08/300,757
• Time in Patent Office: 574 Days
• Field of Search: 244/6, 244/54, 244/56, 244/7 A, 244/7 C, 244/8, 244/7 R, 244/10, 244/12.2, 244/17.11, 244/23 C, 244/34 A, 244/67, 244/73 B, 244/73 C
• US Class Current: 244/34.00A
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 39/064 with radial airflow

Abstract

A circular wing aircraft in the form of a helicopter comprising a fuselage and a circular wing assembly. A structure is for mounting the circular wing assembly above the fuselage in a stationary manner. An air impeller unit is rotatively carried within the circular wing assembly. A device is for driving the air impeller unit to rotate about a central axis within the circular wing assembly, so as to provide lift and flight movement while yaw control is maintained.

Claims

1. A circular wing aircraft in the form of a helicopter comprising:

a ) a fuselage;

b) a circular wing assembly, said circular wing assembly including a lower disc wing, an upper ring wing, and a plurality of wing mounts radially spaced apart about the central axis and affixed between a top surface of said lower disc wing and a bottom surface of said ring wing, said upper ring wing is airfoil-shaped in cross section and is sized to overlap the perimeter of said lower disc wing;

c) means for mounting said circular wing assembly above said fuselage;

d) an air impeller unit rotatively carried within said circular wing assembly; and

e) means for driving said air impeller unit to rotate about a central axis within said circular wing assembly, so as to provide lift and flight movement while way control is maintained.

2. A circular wing aircraft as recited in claim 1, wherein said upper ring wing includes a plurality of sectional flaps that are independently controllable about the outer circumference for better lift and maneuverability.

3. A circular wing aircraft as recited in claim 2, wherein each said wing mount is airfoil-shaped in cross section and includes a movable flap at its outer edge, to increase and decrease a twisting force for yaw control.

4. A circular wing aircraft as recited in claim 3, wherein said mounting means includes a plurality of suspension members radially spaced apart about the central axis, with each said suspension member extending between a top surface of said fuselage and a bottom surface of said lower disc wing.

5. A circular wing aircraft as recited in claim 4, wherein each said suspension member is independently length adjustable, allowing said circular wing assembly to be tilted in any direction relative to said fuselage, thus allowing said fuselage to stay level in horizontal flight and includes a first rubber shock absorber connector at the top surface of said fuselage and a second rubber shock absorber connector at the bottom surface of said lower disc wing, so that vibration can be reduced, resulting in a low noise level in said fuselage.

6. A circular wing aircraft as recited in claim 5, wherein said air impeller unit includes:

a) a hub;

b) a plurality of curved blades extending radially from said hub; and

c) a drive shaft extending from said hub through the central axis to said driving means, so that said curved blades can rotate with said hub on said drive shaft, to draw air from the top,and blow the air out at a high velocity in radial directions over the top surface of said lower disc wing, to create a low pressure zone on the top surface with static air pressure beneath said lower disc wing, providing a lifting force perpendicular to the bottom surface of said lower disc wing, while the air is also blown above a top surface and below the bottom surface of said upper ring wing, respectively creating an additional lift.

7. A circular wing aircraft as recited in claim 6, wherein said driving means is an engine directly connected to said circular wing assembly and coupled to said drive shaft.

8. A circular wing aircraft as recited in claim 7, wherein said upper ring wing is hollow having an annular chamber therein to be used as a fuel tank, thereby allowing maximum space within said fuselage for a payload.