Emergency and rescue aircraft

• US 8,177,159 B2
• Filed: 07/22/2009
• Issued: 05/15/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 02/05/2007
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Alexandr N. Chernikov, Boris V. Khakimov, German V. Demidov, Rustem Z. Khamitov
• Original Assignee: Alexandr N. Chernikov, Boris V. Khakimov, German V. Demidov, Rustem Z. Khamitov
• Inventors: Demidov, German V., Khakimov, Boris V., Chernikov, Alexandr N., Khamitov, Rustem Z.
• Primary Examiner(s): Collins, Timothy D
• Assistant Examiner(s): Sanderson, Joseph W
• Application Number:
  US12/507,592
• Publication Number:
  US 20100096493A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,028 Days
• Field of Search: 244/5, 244/25, 244/29, 244/30
• US Class Current: 244/5
• CPC Class Codes: A62B 5/00 Other devices for rescuing from fire ladders E06C
• CPC Class Codes: A62C 29/00 Fire-fighting vessels or like floating structures
• CPC Class Codes: B64B 1/20 provided with wings or stabilising surfaces tail unit construction B64B1/10; movable control surfaces B64B1/12
• CPC Class Codes: B64B 1/36 Arrangement of jet reaction apparatus for propulsion or directional control
• CPC Class Codes: B64B 2201/00 Hybrid airships, i.e. airships where lift is generated aerodynamically and statically

Abstract

A rescue aircraft having a rigid body with gas-filled envelopes and propulsion devices located inside rotatable aerodynamic toroidal modules. A longitudinal through passage in the lower part of the aircraft connects a crew cabin, a cargo-and-passenger compartment, fuel tanks, and accessories. The aircraft has exit hatches, mooring devices, and a gangway with railings and a removable cart. The aircraft also has a cross passage with exits onto its wings and a vertical passage with a pulley and other devices for lowering and lifting people and cargo. The lower part of the aircraft and hollow wings are filled with a foamed plastic for buoyancy and strength.

Claims

1. A rescue aircraft, comprising:

a fuselage comprising

a fuselage cabin and envelopes filled with a lift gas,

the envelopes being disposed within the fuselage;

lifting surfaces;

controls;

a propulsion system comprising propulsion devices; and

support devices;

wherein the propulsion devices are located inside toroidal units having an aerodynamic longitudinal cross-section;

wherein the toroidal units are rotatable to alternate between a vertical direction of a propulsion system'"'"'s thrust force and a horizontal direction of the thrust force; and

wherein the fuselage further comprises a through passage within a lower part of the fuselage, the passage comprising hatches and at least one mooring device.

2. The rescue aircraft according to claim 1, wherein one of the support devices comprises:

bearing structures of the passage,

wherein the bearing structures form a load-bearing beam;

bottom surfaces of the fuselage; and

lower portions of the lifting surfaces;

wherein the lifting surfaces comprise closed cavities filled with solid buoyant material for buoyancy and stability of the rescue aircraft on water and on land.

3. The rescue aircraft according to claim 1, wherein the passage further comprises at least one pull-out gangway and a removable cart, the removable cart having a single degree of freedom for movement along the pull-out gangway and the passage.

4. The rescue aircraft according to claim 1, further comprising at least one maneuvering propulsion device for precise movement of the aircraft during flights in a confined space, for mooring to external objects at a height, and for construction tasks.

5. The rescue aircraft of claim 1, wherein the aircraft with the envelopes filled to capacity with the lift gas and without people, cargo, or fuel on board is heavier than air displaced by the aircraft.

6. The rescue aircraft of claim 5, wherein combined aerodynamic effects of the lifting surfaces, propulsion devices, and rotatable toroidal units are sufficient to keep the aircraft aloft and to propel the aircraft.

7. A rescue aircraft comprising:

a fuselage comprising

a fuselage cabin and envelopes filled with a lift gas,

the envelopes being disposed within the fuselage;

lifting surfaces;

controls;

a propulsion system comprising propulsion devices; and

support devices;

wherein the propulsion devices are located inside toroidal units having an aerodynamic longitudinal cross-section;

wherein the toroidal units are rotatable to alternate between a vertical direction of a propulsion system'"'"'s thrust force and a horizontal direction of the thrust force; and

wherein the fuselage further comprises a through passage within a lower part of the fuselage, the passage comprising hatches and at least one mooring device;

the rescue aircraft further comprising;

a bottom hatch,

a top hatch,

a vertical passage between the bottom hatch and the top hatch;

a pulley with a drive,

devices for lowering and raising people and cargo through the bottom hatch, and

devices for lowering and lifting of the aircraft by a cable running through the top hatch.

8. A rescue aircraft comprising:

a fuselage comprising

a fuselage cabin and envelopes filled with a lift gas,

the envelopes being disposed within the fuselage;

lifting surfaces;

controls;

a propulsion system comprising propulsion devices; and

support devices;

wherein the propulsion devices are located inside toroidal units having an aerodynamic longitudinal cross-section;

wherein the toroidal units are rotatable to alternate between a vertical direction of a propulsion system'"'"'s thrust force and a horizontal direction of the thrust force; and

wherein the fuselage further comprises a through passage within a lower part of the fuselage, the passage comprising hatches and at least one mooring device;

the rescue aircraft further comprising;

a foldable rigid curvilinear sail functioning as a surface element of a top portion of the fuselage upon folding; and

a landing gear comprising two keels and a rudder.

9. A rescue aircraft comprising:

a fuselage comprising

a fuselage cabin and envelopes filled with a lift gas,

the envelopes being disposed within the fuselage;

lifting surfaces;

controls;

a propulsion system comprising propulsion devices; and

support devices;

wherein the propulsion devices are located inside toroidal units having an aerodynamic longitudinal cross-section;

wherein the toroidal units are rotatable to alternate between a vertical direction of a propulsion system'"'"'s thrust force and a horizontal direction of the thrust force;

wherein the fuselage further comprises a through passage within a lower part of the fuselage, the passage comprising hatches and at least one mooring device;

wherein one of the support devices comprises;

bearing structures of the passage,

wherein the bearing structures form a load-bearing beam;

bottom surfaces of the fuselage; and

lower portions of the lifting surfaces; and

wherein the lifting surfaces comprise closed cavities filled with solid buoyant material for buoyancy and stability of the rescue aircraft on water and on land;

the rescue aircraft further comprising;

a foldable rigid curvilinear sail functioning as a surface element of a top portion of the fuselage upon folding; and

a landing gear comprising two keels and a rudder.