Tailboom-stabilized VTOL aircraft
First Claim
1. A flying craft comprising:
- (a) a substantially rigid suspension structure having a first end and a second end;
(b) a lift unit pivotally coupled to the first end of the suspension structure and including (1) a nacelle and (2) a tailboom pivotally coupled to the nacelle; and
(c) a payload unit coupled to the second end of the suspension structure.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A disclosed flying craft includes a suspension structure having a first end and a second end, a lift unit, and a payload unit. The lift unit includes a nacelle and a tailboom, and pivotally couples to the first end of the suspension structure, and a payload unit couples to the structure'"'"'s second end. Thus the tailboom can pivotally couple with respect to the payload unit, which advantageously permits the tailboom to assume an orientation desirable for a particular mode of flight. During vertical flight or hover, the tailboom can hang from the lift unit in an orientation that is substantially parallel to the suspension structure and that minimizes resistance to downwash from the lift unit. During horizontal flight, the tailboom can be orthogonal to the suspension structure, extending rearward in an orientation where it can develop pitching and yawing moments to control and stabilize horizontal flight. Advantageous variations and methods are also disclosed.
119 Citations
23 Claims
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1. A flying craft comprising:
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(a) a substantially rigid suspension structure having a first end and a second end;
(b) a lift unit pivotally coupled to the first end of the suspension structure and including (1) a nacelle and (2) a tailboom pivotally coupled to the nacelle; and
(c) a payload unit coupled to the second end of the suspension structure. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A system for transporting a payload, comprising:
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(a) a lift unit including a rotor and a tailboom;
(b) a payload unit pivotally coupled to the lift unit such that the tailboom and payload unit are free to independently pivot with respect to each other about a first axis;
(c) means for operating the rotor of the lift unit to provide an aerial motive force;
(d) means for orienting the lift unit to develop the aerial motive force in a desired direction; and
(e) means for selectably (1) latching the tailboom to the payload unit in a substantially vertical orientation and (2) releasing the tailboom from the payload unit, thereby allowing it to pivot independently of the payload unit. - View Dependent Claims (23)
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Specification