Deployable wing with propulsion for range extension

• US 6,322,021 B1
• Filed: 06/14/2000
• Issued: 11/27/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 06/14/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Advanced Systems Technologies, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Advanced Systems Technologies, Inc.
• Inventors: Fisher, Jeffrey A., Miller, Edward V.
• Primary Examiner(s): ELDRED, JOHN W
• Application Number:
  US09/593,229
• Time in Patent Office: 531 Days
• Field of Search: 244/49, 244/139, 244/137.3, 244/16, 244/900, 244/901, 244/902, 244/903
• US Class Current: 244/49
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 31/024 with auxiliary power plant
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 31/032 having delta shaped wing
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 39/024 of the remote controlled vehicle type, i.e. RPV
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 39/10 All-wing aircraft
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 5/00 Aircraft transported by aircraft, e.g. for release or reberthing during flight flying units formed by separate aircraft B64C37/02
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 10/50 Glider-type UAVs, e.g. with parachute, parasail or kite for landing B64U70/83
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 2101/60 for transporting passengers; for transporting goods other than weapons
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 2201/20 Remote controls
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 30/10 Wings
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 30/12 Variable or detachable wings, e.g. wings with adjustable sweep
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 50/11 using internal combustion piston engines
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 50/13 using external fans or propellers
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 70/20 for releasing or capturing UAVs in flight by another aircraft
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 70/83 using parachutes, balloons or the like
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 80/82 Airborne vehicles

Abstract

A deployable wing that is folded so as to fit into a carrier such as an airplane that is released and automatically with the aid of parachutes to deploy and fly a given distance without assistance other than steering to reach a given destination and a propeller driven by a gas powered engine is actuated to propel the wing an extended distance. A guard is disposed adjacent to the propeller to assure that the lines of the parachutes do not get tangled into the propeller blades.

Claims

1. In combination, a deployable wing defining a glider that is capable of being folded and carried by a carrier and released in the atmosphere, including a fabric sail mounted on a payload pod, a parachute attached to the deployable wing to cause said deployable wing to deploy into a glider for flying to a given destination with the aid of navigational control, a propeller, a gasoline engine for powering said propeller, an activating system for acuating said gasoline engine to power said propeller to fly said glider an extended distance with the aid of said navigational control and another parachute for providing controlled landing of said glider.

2. The combination of claim 1 wherein said gasoline engine is withing the 40 to 80 horsepower range.

3. The combination of claim 1 including a guard disposed adjacent to said gasoline engine and said propeller to prevent the ropes of the parachute from being entangled in the propeller blades.

4. The combination of claim 3 wherein said guard includes a tubular member mounted to said engine and located between said engine and said propeller and having a frustro-circular portion extending in proximity to the tips of the propeller blade.

5. The combination of claim 2 including a pulley mounted on the engine drive shaft and a complimentary pulley mounted on the propeller, a belt on said pulley and said complementary pulley for transmitting power from said engine to said propeller.

6. The combination of claim 4 wherein said propeller includes two blades.

8. The combination of claim 6 wherein said engine is a gasoline engine and within the 40 to 80 horsepower range.

9. The combination of claim 6 including a guard disposed adjacent to said gasoline engine and said propeller to prevent the ropes of the parachute from being entangled in the propeller blades.

10. The combination of claim 8 wherein said guard includes a tubular member mounted to said engine and located between said engine and said propeller and having a frustro-circular portion extending in proximity to the tips of the propeller blade.

12. The combination of claim 10 wherein said propeller includes two blades.

7. In combination, a deployable wing comprising a fabric sail mounted to a payload pod, a keel having a slider mounted thereto and being within said fabric sail, a kingpost mounted to said slider and movable perpendicular to said keel in the deployed position, a parachute, a parachute deployment system attached to said slider for deploying for releasing said parachute to deploy said fabric sail to define the deployable wing, a second parachute, a second deployment system for releasing said second parachute to control landing of said pod,

a propeller, an engine for powering said propeller mounted on said wing, an actuation system for starting said engine at a given destination of said deployable wing for propelling said deployable wing an extended distance, said actuation system for stopping said engine when said second parachute system is actuated to release said second parachute.

11. The combination of claim 7 including a pulley mounted on the engine drive shaft and a complimentary pulley mounted on the propeller, a belt on said pulley and said complementary pulley for transmitting power from said engine to said propeller.