Hybrid axial/cross-flow fan multi-rotor aerial vehicle

• US 9,783,291 B2
• Filed: 04/17/2015
• Issued: 10/10/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 04/18/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Propulsive Wing, LLC
• Original Assignee: Propulsive Wing, LLC
• Inventors: Kummer, Joseph, Allred, III, Jimmie B.
• Primary Examiner(s): Woldemaryam, Assres H
• Application Number:
  US14/689,443
• Publication Number:
  US 20160009387A1
• Time in Patent Office: 907 Days
• Field of Search: 244 6, 244 23 B
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 29/0025 the propellers being fixed relative to the fuselage
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 29/0066 with horizontal jet and jet deflector
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 29/0083 the lift during taking-off being created by several motors of different type
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 39/024 of the remote controlled vehicle type, i.e. RPV
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 39/10 All-wing aircraft
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 10/25 Fixed-wing aircraft VTOL aircraft B64U10/20
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 30/10 Wings
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 30/20 Rotors; Rotor supports
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 50/14 ducted or shrouded
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 50/10 Drag reduction

Abstract

A hybrid axial/cross-flow fan aerial vehicle includes both axial and cross-flow fan propulsion for efficient hover and forward flight performance. The axial fans provide primarily vertical thrust, while the cross-flow fan provides horizontal, as well as vertical, thrust. The vehicle takes off vertically, is capable of hover, and can fly forward by vectoring the thrust of the cross-flow fan system. This approach provides large internal cargo capacity and high forward flight speeds.

Claims

1. A hybrid axial/cross-flow fan multi-rotor aerial vehicle comprising:

an airfoil shaped wing body having a center of mass, a payload space located at the center of mass of the airfoil shaped wing body and a trailing edge;

at least three axial fans spaced around the center of mass of the wing body;

at least one cross-flow fan propulsor located behind the center of mass and the axial fans and embedded within the trailing edge of the wing body; and

a control system allowing transition from hover to forward flight by increasing power transmitted to the cross-flow fan propulsor and decreasing power transmitted to the axial fans;

wherein the axial fans only produce vertical thrust and the cross-flow fan propulsor produces only horizontal thrust.

2. The aerial vehicle of claim 1, wherein the cross-flow fan propulsor comprises a lower housing wall, an upper housing wall, and at least one cross-flow fan at least partially embedded into the airfoil shaped wing body and comprising at least fourteen fan blades.

3. A hybrid axial/cross-flow fan multi-rotor aerial vehicle comprising:

an airfoil shaped wing body having a center of mass, a payload space located at the center of mass of the airfoil shaped wing body and a trailing edge; and

at least six axial fans spaced around the center of mass of the wing body;

at least one cross-flow fan propulsor located behind the center of mass and the axial fans and embedded within the trailing edge of the wing body; and

a control system allowing transition from hover to forward flight by increasing power transmitted to the cross-flow fan propulsor and decreasing power transmitted to the axial fans;

wherein half of the axial fans rotate in the clockwise direction and half of the axial fans rotate in the counter-clockwise direction;

wherein the axial fans only produce vertical thrust and the cross-flow fan propulsor produces only horizontal thrust.

4. The aerial vehicle of claim 3, wherein the cross-flow fan propulsor comprises a lower housing wall, an upper housing wall, and at least one cross-flow fan at least partially embedded into the airfoil shaped wing body and comprising at least fourteen fan blades.

5. A hybrid axial/cross-flow fan multi-rotor aerial vehicle comprising:

an airfoil shaped wing body having a center of mass, a payload space located at the center of mass of the airfoil shaped wing body and a trailing edge;

at least three axial fans spaced around the center of mass of the wing body;

at least one cross-flow fan propulsor located behind the center of mass and the axial fans and embedded within the trailing edge of the wing body; and

a control system allowing transition from hover to forward flight by increasing power transmitted to the cross-flow fan propulsor and decreasing power transmitted to the axial fans;

wherein, in forward flight, the cross-flow fan propulsor produces horizontal thrust and the axial fans provide roll, pitch, and yaw control through differential rotor speed.

6. The aerial vehicle of claim 5, wherein the cross-flow fan propulsor comprises a lower housing wall, an upper housing wall, and at least one cross-flow fan at least partially embedded into the airfoil shaped wing body and comprising at least fourteen fan blades.

7. A hybrid axial/cross-flow fan multi-rotor aerial vehicle comprising:

an airfoil shaped wing body having a center of mass, a payload space located at the center of mass of the airfoil shaped wing body and a trailing edge; and

at least six axial fans spaced around the center of mass of the wing body;

at least one cross-flow fan propulsor located behind the center of mass and the axial fans and embedded within the trailing edge of the wing body; and

a control system allowing transition from hover to forward flight by increasing power transmitted to the cross-flow fan propulsor and decreasing power transmitted to the axial fans;

wherein half of the axial fans rotate in the clockwise direction and half of the axial fans rotate in the counter-clockwise direction;

wherein, in forward flight, the cross-flow fan propulsor produces horizontal thrust and the axial fans provide roll, pitch, and yaw control through differential rotor speed.

8. The aerial vehicle of claim 7, wherein the cross-flow fan propulsor comprises a lower housing wall, an upper housing wall, and at least one cross-flow fan at least partially embedded into the airfoil shaped wing body and comprising at least fourteen fan blades.

9. A hybrid axial/cross-flow fan multi-rotor aerial vehicle comprising:

an airfoil shaped wing body having a center of mass, a payload space located at the center of mass of the airfoil shaped wing body and a trailing edge;

at least three axial fans spaced around the center of mass of the wing body;

at least one cross-flow fan propulsor located behind the center of mass and the axial fans and embedded within the trailing edge of the wing body; and

a control system allowing transition from hover to forward flight by increasing power transmitted to the cross-flow fan propulsor and decreasing power transmitted to the axial fans;

wherein the axial fans produce primarily vertical thrust and the cross-flow fan propulsor produces primarily horizontal thrust.

10. The aerial vehicle of claim 9, comprising at least six axial fans spaced around the center of mass of the wing body;

wherein half of the axial fans rotate in the clockwise direction and half of the axial fans rotate in the counter-clockwise direction.

11. The aerial vehicle of claim 10, wherein the cross-flow fan propulsor comprises a lower housing wall, an upper housing wall, and at least one cross-flow fan at least partially embedded into the airfoil shaped wing body and comprising at least fourteen fan blades.