Roadable, adaptable-modular, multiphibious-amphibious ground effect or flying, car-boat-plane or surface-effect motorcycle

• US 9,233,748 B2
• Filed: 08/29/2012
• Issued: 01/12/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 01/04/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Multiphibious Vehicle Company, LLC
• Original Assignee: Multiphibious Vehicle Company, LLC
• Inventors: McIntee, James William
• Primary Examiner(s): O'Hara, Brian M
• Application Number:
  US13/597,634
• Publication Number:
  US 20130168489A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,231 Days
• Field of Search: 244/2, 244/6, 244/7.R, 244/45.R, 244/49, 244/45.A
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 2211/00 Modular constructions of airplanes or helicopters
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 27/08 with two or more rotors
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 3/38 Adjustment of complete wings or parts thereof
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 37/00 Convertible aircraft
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 39/00 Aircraft not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 5/16 about spanwise axes

Abstract

A roadable, adaptable-modular, multiphibious-amphibious ground-effect or flying, car-boat-plane or surface-effect motorcycle. A pivoting wing using the NACA 23112 airfoil provides longitudinal stability through changes in wing or power settings. The airfoil can also be “locked” in place to provide conventional aircraft type controls. The wings fold for driving mode or can be removed. Surface-effect sensor rods provide the automatic altitude control for operations in surface-effect mode. Horizontal stabilizer and elevator provide trim and balance to level the vehicle for passenger comfort and optimal landing attitude. The hull/fuselage consists of three main modules: The main central module (engine, transmission, passengers, wings and cargo storage), the forward module and the aft module which may include one or two wheels with or without a motor, engine, batteries or fuel and differential.

Claims

1. A ground-effect vehicle for traveling over a surface, which comprises:

a hull, the hull having a forward section and an aft section situated axially opposite the forward section;

a motor situated on the hull;

a propeller situated on the hull and operatively coupled to the motor, the propeller providing propulsion for moving the vehicle over the surface;

a high wing pivotally mounted on top of the hull, the wing being movable in pitch relative to the hull; and

a first surface-effect sensor rod pivotally mounted on the hull, the first surface-effect sensor rod being an elongated member extending downwardly from the hull to selectively contact the surface over which the vehicle travels, the first surface-effect sensor rod being operatively linked to the wing such that pivotal movement of the first surface-effect sensor rod due to the first surface-effect sensor rod selectively contacting the surface over which the vehicle travels causes the wing to pivot on the hull and change the pitch thereof relative to the hull.

2. The ground-effect vehicle as defined by claim 1, which further comprises:

a first cable-and-pulley system operatively linking the first surface-effect sensor rod to the wing.

3. The ground-effect vehicle as defined by claim 2, wherein the first surface-effect sensor rod is pivotally mounted on the hull at a first pivot point on the first surface-effect sensor rod, the first pivot point defining a first pivot side of the first surface-effect sensor rod and a second pivot side of the first surface-effect sensor rod which is opposite the first pivot side of the first surface-effect sensor rod such that the first pivot point is between the first pivot side and the second pivot side;

wherein the wing is pivotally mounted on the hull at a second pivot point on the wing, the second pivot point defining a first pivot side of the wing and a second pivot side of the wing which is opposite the first pivot side of the wing such that the second pivot point is between the first pivot side of the wing and the second pivot side of the wing; and

wherein the first cable-and-pulley system includes a first cable and a first pulley having a circumference, and a second cable and a second pulley having a circumference, the first cable engaging at least a portion of the circumference of the first pulley, the second cable engaging at least a portion of the circumference of the second pulley, each of the first cable and the second cable having a first axial end and a second axial end situated opposite the first axial end, the first axial end of the first cable being coupled to the wing on the first pivot side of the wing defined by the second pivot point, the first axial end of the second cable being coupled to the wing on the second pivot side of the wing defined by the second pivot point, the second axial end of the first cable being coupled to the first surface-effect sensor rod on the first pivot side of the first surface-effect sensor rod defined by the first pivot point, and the second axial end of the second cable being coupled to the first surface-effect sensor rod on the second pivot side of the first surface-effect sensor rod defined by the first pivot point.

4. The ground-effect vehicle as defined by claim 1, which further comprises:

a double pivot joint pivotally mounting the wing to the hull, the double pivot joint allowing the wing to

     1) move in pitch relative to the hull, and

     2) rotate in a direction towards the aft section of the hull to allow the wing to fold.

5. The ground-effect vehicle as defined by claim 1, wherein the first surface-effect sensor rod is pivotally mounted on the forward section of the hull.

6. The ground-effect vehicle as defined by claim 5, wherein the first surface-effect sensor rod is pivotally movable on the hull in a first direction toward the aft section of the hull and in a second direction away from the aft section of the hull;

wherein the wing pivotally mounted on the hull has a front edge facing the front section of the hull and a rear edge situated opposite the front edge and facing the aft section of the hull;

wherein, when the first surface-effect sensor rod is pivotally moved on the hull in the first direction toward the aft section of the hull, the first surface-effect sensor rod causes the front edge of the wing to move in a direction away from the hull and the rear edge of the wing to move in a direction toward the hull; and

wherein, when the first surface-effect sensor rod is pivotally moved on the hull in the second direction away from the aft section of the hull, the first surface-effect sensor rod causes the rear edge of the wing to move in a direction away from the hull and the front edge of the wing to move in a direction toward the hull.

7. The ground-effect vehicle as defined by claim 1, which further comprises:

an elevator, the elevator being pivotally mounted on the hull, the elevator being movable in pitch relative to the hull; and

a second surface-effect sensor rod pivotally mounted on the hull, the second surface-effect sensor rod being an elongated member extending downwardly from the hull to selectively contact the surface over which the vehicle travels, the second surface-effect sensor rod being operatively linked to the elevator such that pivotal movement of the second surface-effect sensor rod due to the second surface-effect sensor rod selectively contacting the surface over which the vehicle travels causes the elevator to pivot on the hull and change the pitch thereof relative to the hull.

8. The ground-effect vehicle as defined by claim 7, which further comprises:

a second cable-and-pulley system operatively linking the second surface-effect sensor rod to the elevator.

9. The ground-effect vehicle as defined by claim 8, wherein the second surface-effect sensor rod is pivotally mounted on the hull at a third pivot point on the second surface-effect sensor rod, the third pivot point defining a first pivot side of the second surface-effect sensor rod and a second pivot side of the second surface-effect sensor rod which is opposite the first pivot side of the second surface-effect sensor rod such that the third pivot point is situated between the first pivot side of the second surface-effect sensor rod and the second pivot side of the second surface-effect sensor rod;

wherein the elevator pivotally mounted on the hull includes a front edge facing the front section of the hull and a rear edge situated opposite the front edge and facing the aft section of the hull; and

wherein the second cable-and-pulley system includes a third cable and a third pulley having a circumference, and a fourth cable and a fourth pulley having a circumference, the third cable engaging at least a portion of the circumference of the third pulley, the fourth cable engaging at least a portion of the circumference of the fourth pulley, each of the third cable and the fourth cable having a first axial end and a second axial end situated opposite the first axial end, the first axial end of the third cable being coupled to the elevator in proximity to the rear edge of the elevator, the first axial end of the fourth cable being coupled to the elevator in proximity to the front edge of the elevator, the second axial end of the third cable being coupled to the second surface-effect sensor rod on the second pivot side of the second surface-effect sensor rod defined by the third pivot point, and the second axial end of the fourth cable being coupled to the second surface-effect sensor rod on the first pivot side of the second surface-effect sensor rod defined by the third pivot point.

10. The ground-effect vehicle as defined by claim 7, wherein the second surface-effect sensor rod is pivotally mounted on the aft section of the hull.

11. The ground-effect vehicle as defined by claim 10, wherein the second surface-effect sensor rod is pivotally movable on the hull in a first direction toward the forward section of the hull and in a second direction away from the forward section of the hull;

wherein, when the second surface-effect sensor rod is pivotally moved on the hull in the first direction toward the forward section of the hull, the second surface-effect sensor rod causes the elevator to pivotally move on the hull such that the rear edge of the elevator moves in a direction away from the hull and the front edge of the elevator moves in a direction toward the hull; and

wherein, when the second surface-effect sensor rod is pivotally moved on the hull in the second direction away from the forward section of the hull, the second surface-effect sensor rod causes the elevator to pivotally move on the hull such that the front edge of the elevator is moved in a direction away from the hull and the rear edge of the elevator is moved in a direction toward the hull.

12. The ground-effect vehicle as defined by claim 1, which further comprises:

retractable wheels mounted on the hull.

13. The ground-effect vehicle as defined by claim 12, wherein at least one wheel of the retractable wheels is mounted on the forward section of the hull, and wherein at least another wheel of the retractable wheels is mounted on the aft section of the hull.

14. The ground-effect vehicle as defined by claim 12, wherein at least one of the wheels is operatively coupled to the motor.