Semi-open fluid jet VTOL aircraft

• US 9,517,840 B2
• Filed: 12/07/2013
• Issued: 12/13/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 12/09/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Bogdan Tudor Bucheru
• Original Assignee: Bogdan Tudor Bucheru
• Inventors: Bucheru, Bogdan Tudor
• Primary Examiner(s): Rephann, Justin
• Application Number:
  US14/099,929
• Publication Number:
  US 20160009376A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,102 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 29/0025 the propellers being fixed relative to the fuselage
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 39/064 with radial airflow
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 39/066 having channel wings

Abstract

The herein invention is presenting a lift generating method based on a semi-open fluid jet flowing in a closed circuit around a lifting airfoil. A VTOL aircraft with maximized pay load room and car-like shape is the preferred embodiment of the invention. The herein aircraft uses no wings, exposed propellers, hot gas jets or other high injury risk means for propulsion and lift, and it can be driven by ordinary skilled people. Furthermore the aircraft has a small footprint and can land, take off and even cruise on water in one of the preferred embodiments.

Claims

1. A system for a vehicle comprising:

an airfoil wherein fluid is configured to flow over a top surface of the airfoil at a first speed and fluid is configured to flow below on a lower surface of the airfoil at a second speed on a return path;

a safety cover configured to be positioned over the top surface of the airfoil, the safety cover including a plurality of openings;

a containment body having a first end and a second end, the first end being positioned over a front end of the airfoil and below the safety cover, the second end being positioned over a rear end of the airfoil and below the safety cover, wherein a portion of the containment body wraps around the airfoil, wherein a first distance between the safety cover and the top surface of the airfoil is less than a second distance between the containment body and the lower surface of the airfoil;

a plurality of duct fans positioned with the containment body between the rear end of the airfoil and the containment body.

2. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

a first flow path positioned between the airfoil and the safety cover, the first flow path having the first speed;

a second return flow path positioned between the airfoil and the containment body having the second speed, the second flow path being a closed return path.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein a zero force is applied on the closed path.

4. The system of claim 2, wherein the first flow path is an active path and the second return flow path is a passive return path.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the plurality of duct fans are completely contained inside the containment body, and are configured to move fluid from the passive return path to the active path.