Vertical short takeoff and landing apparatus
First Claim
Patent Images
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.
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Accused Products
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.
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Citations
16 Claims
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1. A vertical short takeoff and landing (VSTOL) apparatus, comprising:
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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. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A vertical short takeoff and landing (VSTOL) apparatus, comprising:
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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. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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Specification