Control flows and forces in VTOL vehicles
First Claim
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1. A ducted air flow vehicle comprising:
- a fuselage having a longitudinal axis, supporting at least one forward duct and one aft duct, said ducts having respective lift producing propellers arranged to force surrounding air through said ducts thereby creating a lift force, said forward duct having side openings and a front opening, said aft duct having side openings and a rear opening, each of said openings selectively movable between open and closed positions;
a plurality of adjustable control vanes extending across inlets to said ducts, in a direction substantially parallel to said longitudinal axis;
a pair of thrusters supported in an aft location on said fuselage; and
control means for;
a. effecting motion in a first horizontal direction in a first degree of freedom of the vehicle in a primary mode of operation through varying of thrust output of said thrusters, and in a secondary mode of operation through tilting of the vehicle in pitch, thereby creating a horizontal and longitudinal vector component of said lift force in said first horizontal direction;
b. effecting motion in a second horizontal direction substantially perpendicular to said first horizontal direction, in a second degree of freedom of the vehicle in a primary mode through deflecting said control vanes, and in a secondary mode of operation through tilting of the vehicle in Roll, thereby creating a horizontal and lateral vector component of said lift force in said second horizontal direction; and
c. effecting motion in a vertical direction substantially perpendicular to said first and second horizontal directions in a third degree of freedom of the vehicle in a primary mode through direct variation of said lift force generated by said lift-producing propellers, and in a secondary mode through adjusting said control vanes, or adjusting said openings, thereby affecting flow of air through said ducts and the vertical lift force in said vertical direction.
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Abstract
The present application relates to VTOL vehicles with multi-function capabilities and, specifically to ducted fan arrangements that facilitate the control of forces and flows of air to control movement of the vehicle in six degrees of freedom in both primary and secondary modes of operation. Also disclosed are pitch control mechanisms for the lift propellers of VTOL vehicles: drive and transmission arrangements; a specially configured exhaust duct for directing exhaust gases from such vehicles along an upper surface of the vehicle; and shock absorbing components for the landing gear of such vehicles.
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Citations
9 Claims
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1. A ducted air flow vehicle comprising:
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a fuselage having a longitudinal axis, supporting at least one forward duct and one aft duct, said ducts having respective lift producing propellers arranged to force surrounding air through said ducts thereby creating a lift force, said forward duct having side openings and a front opening, said aft duct having side openings and a rear opening, each of said openings selectively movable between open and closed positions; a plurality of adjustable control vanes extending across inlets to said ducts, in a direction substantially parallel to said longitudinal axis; a pair of thrusters supported in an aft location on said fuselage; and control means for; a. effecting motion in a first horizontal direction in a first degree of freedom of the vehicle in a primary mode of operation through varying of thrust output of said thrusters, and in a secondary mode of operation through tilting of the vehicle in pitch, thereby creating a horizontal and longitudinal vector component of said lift force in said first horizontal direction; b. effecting motion in a second horizontal direction substantially perpendicular to said first horizontal direction, in a second degree of freedom of the vehicle in a primary mode through deflecting said control vanes, and in a secondary mode of operation through tilting of the vehicle in Roll, thereby creating a horizontal and lateral vector component of said lift force in said second horizontal direction; and c. effecting motion in a vertical direction substantially perpendicular to said first and second horizontal directions in a third degree of freedom of the vehicle in a primary mode through direct variation of said lift force generated by said lift-producing propellers, and in a secondary mode through adjusting said control vanes, or adjusting said openings, thereby affecting flow of air through said ducts and the vertical lift force in said vertical direction. - View Dependent Claims (2)
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3. A ducted air flow vehicle comprising:
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a fuselage having a longitudinal axis, supporting at least one forward duct and one aft duct, said ducts having respective lift producing propellers arranged to force surrounding air through said ducts thereby creating a lift force;
said forward duct having side openings and a front opening, said aft duct having side openings and a rear opening, each of said openings selectively movable between open and closed positions;a plurality of adjustable control vanes extending across inlets to said ducts, in a direction substantially parallel to said longitudinal axis; a pair of thrusters supported in an aft location on said fuselage; and control means for producing movement of the vehicle in each of six degrees of freedom by a first group of primary control elements, and alternatively, by a second group of secondary control elements. - View Dependent Claims (4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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Specification