Ducted fan VTOL vehicles

• US 8,622,335 B2
• Filed: 11/03/2010
• Issued: 01/07/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 10/27/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Urban Aeronautics Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Urban Aeronautics Ltd.
• Inventors: Yoeli, Raphael
• Primary Examiner(s): Bonzell, Philip J
• Application Number:
  US12/938,444
• Publication Number:
  US 20110168834A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,161 Days
• Field of Search: 244 121- 125, 244/23.R, 244/23.A, 244/23.B, 244/23.D, 244/53.B, 244 54- 56
• US Class Current: 244/12.3
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 1/1415 Cargo doors, e.g. incorporating ramps
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 1/22 Other structures integral with fuselages to facilitate loading , e.g. cargo bays, cranes
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 27/08 with two or more rotors
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 27/20 Rotorcraft characterised by having shrouded rotors, e.g. flying platforms
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 29/0025 the propellers being fixed relative to the fuselage
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 29/0033 the propellers being tiltable relative to the fuselage
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 3/40 Varying angle of sweep
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 17/80 in association with aircraft, e.g. for braking thereof
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 7/00 Arrangements of military equipment, e.g. armaments, armament accessories, or military shielding, in aircraft; Adaptations of armament mountings for aircraft dropping bombs or the like B64D1/00; armaments or mountings therefor per se F41
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 50/10 Drag reduction

Abstract

A vehicle including a fuselage having a longitudinal axis and a transverse axis, two Ducted Fan lift-producing propellers carried by the fuselage on each side of the transverse axis, a pilot'"'"'s compartment formed in the fuselage between the lift-producing propellers and substantially aligned with one side of the fuselage, a payload bay formed in the fuselage between the lift-producing propellers and opposite the pilot'"'"'s compartment, and two pusher fans located at the rear of the vehicle. Many variations are described enabling the vehicle to be used not only as a VTOL vehicle, but also as a multi-function utility vehicle for performing many diverse functions including hovercraft and ATV functions. Also described is an Unmanned version of the vehicle. Also described are unique features applicable in any single or multiple ducted fans and VTOL vehicles.

Claims

1. A ducted fan adapted to be mounted in a fuselage of a VTOL vehicle, said ducted fan comprising:

at least one lift-producing propeller disposed inside a duct having an inlet and an exit at opposite ends thereof said at least one lift-producing propeller mounted for rotation about a duct axis,

wherein an arcuately-limited peripheral sidewall portion of said duct is formed with at least one controllable aperture therein, thereby allowing, when the vehicle is in use and with said controller aperture open, air to flow into an interior of said duct through both said inlet and said at least one aperture and to flow out of said exit of said duct.

2. A ducted fan as in claim 1 further comprising:

a plurality of airfoil-shaped elements disposed within said aperture.

3. A ducted fan as in claim 1 and further comprising:

a controllably slidable flow blocking element disposed to block and to permit air flow through said aperture.

4. The ducted fan of claim 1 wherein said aperture extends at least axially downstream of said lift-producing propeller.

5. The ducted fan of claim 1 wherein said aperture extends axially upstream and downstream of said at least one lift-producing propeller.

6. A ducted fan as in claim 1 further comprising:

a plurality of spaced-apart partition elements disposed within said aperture.

8. A ducted fan as in claim 6 wherein:

respective ones of said partition elements are selectably rotatable to contact a neighboring one of said partition elements to block air flow around said elements and into said duct, and to disengage from said neighboring element to permit air flow around said elements and into said duct.

7. A ducted fan as in 6 further comprising:

a plurality of externally actuated rotating valves, each valve being disposed between two of said partition elements and selectably rotatable to block and to permit air flow around said elements and into said duct.