Transportation Method for Selectively Attachable Pod Assemblies
First Claim
1. A transportation method comprising:
- coupling a flying frame including an airframe, a propulsion system and a flight control system to a first passenger pod assembly at a first location;
lifting the first passenger pod assembly into the air with the flying frame in a vertical takeoff and landing mode with the first passenger pod assembly in a generally horizontal attitude;
transitioning the flying frame from the vertical takeoff and landing mode to a forward flight mode by rotating the flying frame relative to the first passenger pod assembly such that the first passenger pod assembly remains in the generally horizontal attitude;
transporting the first passenger pod assembly from the first location toward a second location with the flying frame in the forward flight mode;
transitioning the flying frame from the forward flight mode to the vertical takeoff and landing mode by rotating the flying frame relative to the first passenger pod assembly such that the first passenger pod assembly remains in the generally horizontal attitude;
landing the flying frame at the second location in the vertical takeoff and landing mode; and
releasing the first passenger pod assembly from the flying frame.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
In some embodiments, a transportation method includes coupling a flying frame to a passenger pod assembly; lifting the passenger pod assembly into the air in a vertical takeoff and landing mode with the passenger pod assembly in a generally horizontal attitude; transitioning from the vertical takeoff and landing mode to a forward flight mode by rotating the flying frame relative to the passenger pod assembly, which remains in the generally horizontal attitude; transporting the passenger pod assembly toward a second location in the forward flight mode; transitioning the flying frame from the forward flight mode to the vertical takeoff and landing mode by rotating the flying frame relative to the passenger pod assembly, which remains in the generally horizontal attitude; landing the flying frame at the second location in the vertical takeoff and landing mode; and releasing the passenger pod assembly.
37 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A transportation method comprising:
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coupling a flying frame including an airframe, a propulsion system and a flight control system to a first passenger pod assembly at a first location; lifting the first passenger pod assembly into the air with the flying frame in a vertical takeoff and landing mode with the first passenger pod assembly in a generally horizontal attitude; transitioning the flying frame from the vertical takeoff and landing mode to a forward flight mode by rotating the flying frame relative to the first passenger pod assembly such that the first passenger pod assembly remains in the generally horizontal attitude; transporting the first passenger pod assembly from the first location toward a second location with the flying frame in the forward flight mode; transitioning the flying frame from the forward flight mode to the vertical takeoff and landing mode by rotating the flying frame relative to the first passenger pod assembly such that the first passenger pod assembly remains in the generally horizontal attitude; landing the flying frame at the second location in the vertical takeoff and landing mode; and releasing the first passenger pod assembly from the flying frame. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A transportation method comprising:
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coupling a flying frame including an airframe, a propulsion system and a flight control system to the first pod assembly with a payload at a first location; lifting the first pod assembly into the air with the flying frame in a vertical takeoff and landing mode; transitioning the flying frame from the vertical takeoff and landing mode to a forward flight mode; transporting the first pod assembly from the first location toward a second location with the flying frame in forward flight mode; transitioning the flying frame from the forward flight mode to the vertical takeoff and landing mode; landing the flying frame at the second location in the vertical takeoff and landing mode; and releasing the first pod assembly with the payload from the flying frame. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification