Method and apparatus for generating lift
First Claim
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1. A method of generating lift for an aircraft, said method comprising:
- heating a flow of gas using a gas generator mounted on the aircraft that contributes no more than about ten percent of thrust used to propel the aircraft in a forward direction;
driving a lift fan using the heated gas flow to generate lift for the aircraft; and
directing at least a portion of the heated gas exiting the lift fan over a wing control surface of the aircraft, including directing at least a portion of the heated gas over an internally blown flap (IBF) of the aircraft.
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Abstract
A method of generating lift for a vehicle including heating a flow of gas using a gas generator mounted on the vehicle that contributes no more than about ten percent of thrust used to propel the vehicle in a forward direction, and driving a lift fan using the heated gas flow to generate lift for the vehicle.
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Citations
23 Claims
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1. A method of generating lift for an aircraft, said method comprising:
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heating a flow of gas using a gas generator mounted on the aircraft that contributes no more than about ten percent of thrust used to propel the aircraft in a forward direction; driving a lift fan using the heated gas flow to generate lift for the aircraft; and directing at least a portion of the heated gas exiting the lift fan over a wing control surface of the aircraft, including directing at least a portion of the heated gas over an internally blown flap (IBF) of the aircraft. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. An airframe comprising:
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a body; a wing coupled to the body; a gas generator mounted on the body for heating a flow of gas, said gas generator contributing no more than about ten percent of thrust used to propel the body in a forward direction; a lift fan mounted on the body for generating lift for the body, said lift fan being fluidically coupled with the gas generator for driving the lift fan from at least a portion of the heated gas flow; and an internally blown flap mounted on the wing for affecting an aerodynamic property of at least a portion of the wing, said lift fan being positioned on the body to direct at least a portion of the heated gas exiting the lift fan over the internally blown flap. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. An aircraft comprising:
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a frame; a wing coupled to the frame; an engine mounted on the frame for propelling the aircraft in a forward direction; a gas generator mounted on the frame for heating a flow of gas, said gas generator contributing no more than about ten percent of thrust used to propel the aircraft in the forward direction; and a lift fan mounted on the frame for generating lift for the aircraft, said lift fan being fluidically coupled with the gas generator for driving the lift fan from at least a portion of the heated gas flow; and an internally blown flap mounted on the wing for affecting an aerodynamic property of at least a portion of the wing, said lift fan being positioned on the body to direct at least a portion of the heated gas exiting the lift fan over the internally blown flap. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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Specification