Variable geometry inlet for a ducted fan and method of assembling same
First Claim
1. A variable geometry inlet for a ducted fan, said variable geometry inlet is selectively transitionable between a first mode and a second mode, said variable geometry inlet comprising:
- a retractable ring that extends circumferentially about said variable geometry inlet, said retractable ring is selectively movable between an axially extended position in the first mode and an axially retracted position in the second mode;
a tube that extends circumferentially proximate said retractable ring, said tube is pressurizable to a relatively deflated state in the first mode and to a relatively inflated state in the second mode; and
a stretchable skin that extends circumferentially proximate said retractable ring, said stretchable skin is elastically deformable in at least a circumferential direction about a longitudinal axis of the ducted fan, wherein a leading edge of said variable geometry inlet in the first mode is defined by said stretchable skin disposed against a forward edge of said retractable ring, and said leading edge in the second mode is defined by said stretchable skin disposed against at least a portion of said tube.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A variable geometry inlet for a ducted fan is selectively transitionable between a first and second mode. The inlet includes a retractable ring that extends circumferentially about the inlet and is selectively movable between an axially extended position in the first mode and an axially retracted position in the second mode. A tube extends circumferentially proximate the retractable ring, and is pressurizable to a relatively deflated state in the first mode and to a relatively inflated state in the second mode. A stretchable skin extends circumferentially proximate the retractable ring, and is elastically deformable in at least a circumferential direction about a longitudinal axis of the fan. A leading edge of the inlet in the first mode is defined by the stretchable skin disposed against a forward edge of the retractable ring, and in the second mode by the stretchable skin disposed against at least a portion of the tube.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A variable geometry inlet for a ducted fan, said variable geometry inlet is selectively transitionable between a first mode and a second mode, said variable geometry inlet comprising:
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a retractable ring that extends circumferentially about said variable geometry inlet, said retractable ring is selectively movable between an axially extended position in the first mode and an axially retracted position in the second mode; a tube that extends circumferentially proximate said retractable ring, said tube is pressurizable to a relatively deflated state in the first mode and to a relatively inflated state in the second mode; and a stretchable skin that extends circumferentially proximate said retractable ring, said stretchable skin is elastically deformable in at least a circumferential direction about a longitudinal axis of the ducted fan, wherein a leading edge of said variable geometry inlet in the first mode is defined by said stretchable skin disposed against a forward edge of said retractable ring, and said leading edge in the second mode is defined by said stretchable skin disposed against at least a portion of said tube. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A ducted fan comprising:
a generally annular body; and a variable geometry inlet coupled to said body, said variable geometry inlet is selectively transitionable between a first mode and a second mode, said variable geometry inlet comprises; a retractable ring that extends circumferentially about said variable geometry inlet, said retractable ring is selectively movable between an axially extended position in the first mode and an axially retracted position in the second mode; a tube that extends circumferentially proximate said retractable ring, said tube is pressurizable to a relatively deflated state in the first mode and to a relatively inflated state in the second mode; and a stretchable skin that extends circumferentially proximate said retractable ring, said stretchable skin is elastically deformable in at least a circumferential direction about a longitudinal axis of said ducted fan, wherein a leading edge of said variable geometry inlet in the first mode is defined by said stretchable skin disposed against a forward edge of said retractable ring, and said leading edge in the second mode is defined by said stretchable skin disposed against at least a portion of said tube. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method of assembling a ducted fan having a variable geometry inlet, wherein the variable geometry inlet is selectively transitionable between a first mode and a second mode, said method comprising:
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coupling a retractable ring to a body of the ducted fan, wherein the retractable ring extends circumferentially about the variable geometry inlet and is selectively movable between an axially extended position in the first mode and an axially retracted position in the second mode; positioning a tube to extend circumferentially proximate the retractable ring, wherein the tube is pressurizable to a relatively deflated state in the first mode and to a relatively inflated state in the second mode; and coupling a stretchable skin to the body, wherein the stretchable skin extends circumferentially proximate the retractable ring and is elastically deformable in at least a circumferential direction about a longitudinal axis of the ducted fan, such that a leading edge of the variable geometry inlet in the first mode is defined by the stretchable skin disposed against a forward edge of the retractable ring, and the leading edge in the second mode is defined by the stretchable skin disposed against at least a portion of the tube. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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Specification