Remotely controlled co-axial rotorcraft for heavy-lift aerial-crane operations

• US 9,517,838 B1
• Filed: 10/01/2015
• Issued: 12/13/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 10/03/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: John V. Howard
• Original Assignee: John V. Howard
• Inventors: Howard, John V.
• Primary Examiner(s): Davis, Richard G
• Application Number:
  US14/872,885
• Time in Patent Office: 439 Days
• Field of Search: 244/17.11, 244/39
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 1/0009 Aerodynamic aspects
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 2025/325 specially adapted for helicopters
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 2211/00 Modular constructions of airplanes or helicopters
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 25/02 Undercarriages
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 25/04 Arrangement or disposition on aircraft
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 27/04 Helicopters
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 27/10 arranged coaxially
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 27/12 Rotor drives
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 39/024 of the remote controlled vehicle type, i.e. RPV
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 1/22 Taking-up articles from earth's surface
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 10/10 Rotorcrafts
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 10/17 Helicopters flying platforms B64U10/13
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 2101/00 UAVs specially adapted for particular uses or applications
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 2101/60 for transporting passengers; for transporting goods other than weapons
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 2101/67 the UAVs comprising tethers for lowering the goods
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 30/20 Rotors; Rotor supports
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 30/24 Coaxial rotors
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 50/12 using turbine engines, e.g. turbojets or turbofans
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 60/50 with landing legs
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 50/10 Drag reduction

Abstract

A helicopter has a lift module having a propulsion system and at least one rotor driven in rotation by the propulsion system. A payload support system is adapted to couple an external payload directly to the lift module. The helicopter is devoid of provisions for human passengers.

Claims

1. A helicopter, comprising:

a lift module having a propulsion system and at least one rotor driven in rotation about a mast axis by the propulsion system;

a support module for supporting the helicopter when landed, the support module having at least three support members assembled in a radial array about the mast axis; and

a payload support system adapted to couple an external payload directly to the lift module;

wherein the payload support system bypasses the support module, such that the external payload is carried by the lift module during flight and no portion of the external payload is carried by the support module; and

wherein the payload support system comprises a rigid link pivotally attached to the lift module via the transmission.

2. The helicopter of claim 1, wherein the lift module comprises two coaxial rotors.

3. The helicopter of claim 1, further comprising:

a flight control system with provisions for remotely controlled flight.

4. The helicopter of claim 1, wherein the propulsion system comprises:

a transmission for transmitting torque to the rotors;

wherein the payload support system is adapted to couple the external payload to the transmission.

5. The helicopter of claim 1, wherein the support module is configured to reduce vertical aerodynamic drag, in that each support member has an airfoil-shaped cross-section vertically disposed to reduce vertical drag from rotor downwash.

6. The helicopter of claim 1, wherein the support members are generally identical to each other.

7. The helicopter of claim 1, wherein the lift module and the support module are configured for ease of transport on a flatbed transporter when the modules are disassembled, in that the components of the lift module are oriented to facilitate placement of the lift module at one location upon the flatbed transporter, such that the disassembled support members may be placed side-by-side at another location upon the flatbed transporter.

8. A helicopter, comprising:

a lift module having a propulsion system and at least one rotor driven in rotation about a mast axis by the propulsion system;

a support module for supporting the helicopter when landed, the support module having at least three support members assembled in a radial array about the mast axis; and

a payload support system adapted to couple an external payload directly to the lift module;

wherein the payload support system bypasses the support module, such that the external payload is carried by the lift module during flight and no portion of the external payload is carried by the support module; and

wherein the support module is configured for ease of assembly and disassembly, in that each support member is configured, such that the root section thereof forms a sector of a cylindrical centerbody, each sector being releasably attached to adjacent sectors.