Vertical short takeoff and landing apparatus

• US 9,561,851 B2
• Filed: 03/16/2015
• Issued: 02/07/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 11/16/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Raymond Don Hayden
• Original Assignee: Radeus Labs, Inc.
• Inventors: Hayden, Raymond Don III
• Primary Examiner(s): Badawi, Medhat
• Application Number:
  US14/659,282
• Publication Number:
  US 20150251757A1
• Time in Patent Office: 694 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 27/39 with individually articulated blades, i.e. with flapping or drag hinges
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 27/46 Blades
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 29/00 Aircraft capable of landing or taking-off vertically, e.g. vertical take-off and landing [VTOL] aircraft rotorcraft B64C27/00
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 10/10 Rotorcrafts
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 10/13 Flying platforms
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 10/20 Vertical take-off and landing [VTOL] aircraft flying platforms B64U10/13; helicopters B64U10/17
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 20/10 for stealth, e.g. reduction of cross-section detectable by radars
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 20/65 Composite materials
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 2101/00 UAVs specially adapted for particular uses or applications
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 2101/15 for conventional or electronic warfare
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 2101/20 for use as communications relays, e.g. high-altitude platforms
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 2101/30 for imaging, photography or videography
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 2101/31 for surveillance
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 2201/20 Remote controls
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 30/20 Rotors; Rotor supports
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 30/27 Rim-driven rotors
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 30/293 Foldable or collapsible rotors or rotor supports

Abstract

Methods and apparatus for vertical or short takeoff and landing. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises two or more counter driven rings with one or more airfoils attached. In one variant, there is an upper ring and a lower ring, each with multiple airfoils attached. In one variant, lift is generated largely via ambient air currents, allowing for long term on-station operation of the device.

Claims

1. A vertical short takeoff and landing (VSTOL) apparatus, comprising:

a pair of counter-rotating power rings, each power ring having a plurality of airfoils attached thereto via respective first connection elements;

an articulation system comprising;

a control ring having at least a portion of the plurality of airfoils attached thereto via respective second connection elements, the control ring configured to rotate with one of the pair of counter-rotating power rings; and

an articulation apparatus configured to raise or depress at least a portion of the control ring with respect to the pair of counter-rotating power rings thereby articulating at least one of the plurality of airfoils; and

one or more motors, the one or more motors configured to rotate the pair of counter-rotating power rings.

2. The VSTOL apparatus of claim 1, wherein two or more of the plurality of airfoils are configured to articulate between two or more positions using the control ring and the articulation apparatus.

3. The VSTOL apparatus of claim 2, wherein the articulation apparatus interfaces with the control ring at a top surface thereof via an articulation element.

4. The VSTOL apparatus of claim 3, wherein the articulation element comprises a wheel.

5. The VSTOL apparatus of claim 4, further comprising a fuselage.

6. The VSTOL apparatus of claim 5, wherein the fuselage is configured to house a plurality of sensory equipment.

7. The VSTOL apparatus of claim 6, wherein the fuselage is further configured to house a transceiver apparatus.

8. The VSTOL apparatus of claim 5, wherein the fuselage is configured to house a transceiver apparatus.

9. The VSTOL apparatus of claim 8, wherein the VSTOL apparatus is configured to be remotely operated via at least the transceiver apparatus.

10. A vertical short takeoff and landing (VSTOL) apparatus, comprising:

a pair of counter-rotating power rings, each power ring having a plurality of airfoils attached thereto;

a control ring having at least a portion of the plurality of airfoils attached thereto via respective second connection elements, the control ring configured to rotate in unison with one of the pair of counter-rotating power rings;

wherein at least one of the plurality of airfoils comprises a radially extensible airfoil, thereby enabling an adjustment of an aerodynamic property of the airfoil.

11. The VSTOL apparatus of claim 10, wherein the plurality of airfoils are attached to the pair of counter-rotating power rings via respective first connection elements.

12. The VSTOL apparatus of claim 10, further comprising an articulation system, the articulation system comprising:

an articulation apparatus configured to raise or depress at least a portion of the control ring with respect to the pair of counter-rotating power rings thereby articulating at least one of the plurality of airfoils.

13. The VSTOL apparatus of claim 12, wherein two or more of the plurality of airfoils are configured to articulate between two or more positions using the control ring and the articulation apparatus.

14. The VSTOL apparatus of claim 12, wherein the articulation apparatus interfaces with the control ring at a top surface thereof via an articulation element.

15. The VSTOL apparatus of claim 14, wherein the articulation element comprises a wheel.

16. The VSTOL apparatus of claim 15, further comprising a fuselage having a transceiver apparatus housed therein;

wherein the VSTOL apparatus is configured to be remotely operated via at least the transceiver apparatus.