Modular adaptive configured helicopter

• US 7,946,530 B1
• Filed: 02/02/2006
• Issued: 05/24/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 06/13/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Robert N. Talmage Jr
• Original Assignee: Robert N. Talmage Jr
• Inventors: Talmage, Robert N. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Mansen; Michael R
• Assistant Examiner(s): O'Hara; Brian M
• Application Number:
  US11/345,175
• Time in Patent Office: 1,937 Days
• Field of Search: 244/2, 244/7.A, 244/137.1, 244/138.R, 244/139, 244/140, 244/142, 244/144, 244/147, 244/118.2
• US Class Current: 244/118.2
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 2211/00 Modular constructions of airplanes or helicopters
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 27/006 Safety devices
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 37/00 Convertible aircraft
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 39/02 characterised by special use
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 1/22 Taking-up articles from earth's surface
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 25/12 Ejectable capsules

Abstract

A method and apparatus for a composite helicopter comprising a rotary wing parent vehicle with various modular cabins detachable therefrom to facilitate various configuration aircraft platforms, dual operation and modular economy.

Claims

1. A method of transporting by air a variety of enclosed rigid modular cabins comprising:

a parent vehicle, said modular cabins attachable and detachable from said parent vehicle, said parent vehicle and said modular cabin combining through respective electrical connectors and attachment means to form an integrated composite aircraft,

said parent vehicle being a common use rotary wing aircraft platform comprising aircraft propulsion means, fuel, main rotor, tail rotor, cockpit, flight controls, aircraft systems, avionics, electrical system and aircraft connectors, landing gear, and attachment and release means, said attachment and release means comprising a pair of complementary nonlocking mating devices attached respectively to said parent vehicle and said modular cabin, and said mating devices being held in place by a laterally flexible attachment and release device,

said method of transporting said modular cabins comprising the steps of;

a. mating said parent vehicle and said modular cabin while on the ground by means of said nonlocking mating devices,

b. attaching said parent vehicle and said modular cabin by means of said laterally flexible attachment and release device,

c. connecting electrical and aircraft systems in said parent vehicle and said modular cabin with respective connectors to operate as a composite aircraft,

d. providing the power and lift means to control and fly said composite aircraft,

e. piloting said composite aircraft with an appropriate modular cabin to perform a specific flight mission,

f. landing said composite aircraft at desired location

g. disconnecting said electrical and aircraft connections between said parent vehicle and said modular cabin,

h. releasing said laterally flexible attachment and release device between said parent vehicle and said modular cabin,

i. separating said parent vehicle from said modular cabin, and

j. mating, connecting and operating said parent vehicle with another modular cabin.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein said attachment and release means comprises fail-safe means, said fail-safe means comprises a strike affixed to said explosive bolt and a spring-biased latch affixed to said modular cabin with a portion thereof overlapping said strike to prevent separation of said parent vehicle and said modular cabin, the method further comprising the steps of:

a. flying said composite aircraft above a predetermined altitude, and

b. deactivating said spring-biased latch such that it moves away from said strike to allow separation of said parent vehicle from said modular cabin in an emergency when said explosive bolt is released.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein said composite aircraft comprises a static line and parachute device,

wherein in an emergency the pilot may release said modular cabin by means of:

a. releasing said attachment and release device of said modular cabin,

b. displacing said modular cabin from parent vehicle by gravity,

c. pulling apart said electrical connectors by the separation of said modular cabin and parent vehicle,

d. extracting said parachute device from said modular cabin by said static line attached to said parent vehicle as it descends, and

e. deploying said parachute to safely decelerate said modular cabin to earth.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein said modular cabin comprises electrical power switching means, electrical system, respective connectors for connecting electrical systems to said parent vehicle, a generator device and fuel,

wherein the electrical system of said modular cabin can be powered from the parent vehicle or switched to receive power from said generator device comprising the steps of:

a. connecting said modular cabin to the parent vehicle electrical system through said respective electrical connectors,

b. positioning said power selection switch to receive electrical power from said parent vehicle,

c. generating electrical power from said parent vehicle through said electrical connectors and electrical power switching means to power said modular cabin,

d. starting said generator said in modular cabin,

e. positioning said power selection switch to receive power from said generator device and,

f. generating electrical power through said power selection switch to power the electrical system in said modular cabin.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein said parent vehicle comprises a winch, winch line, winch controls and said modular cabin comprises lifting tackle,

wherein the pilot of the parent vehicle releases and lowers said modular cabin, the method further comprising the steps of:

a. attaching said winch line to said lifting tackle,

b. releasing said attachment and release device to detach said modular cabin,

c. raising and lowering said winch line attached to said modular cabin to the desired length,

d. placing said modular cabin on the ground, and

e. releasing said winch line from said lifting tackle to release said modular cabin.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein said modular cabin is a sealed vessel to float on water and comprises independent propulsion means, wherein the pilot hovers the composite aircraft at the water surface, releases said modular cabin to float and maneuver on the water, the method further comprising the steps of:

a. piloting said composite aircraft to hover at the water surface,

b. releasing said modular cabin to float on the water,

c. piloting said parent vehicle to ascend and vertically separate from modular cabin, and

d. engaging said modular cabin independent propulsion means to maneuver said modular cabin on the water.