110results about "Canard-type aircraft" patented technology

Apparatus, systems, and methods are contemplated for electric powered vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft. Such are craft are engineered to carry safely carry at least 500 pounds (approx. 227 kg) using a few (e.g., 2-4) rotors, generally variable speed rigid (non-articulated) rotors. It is contemplated that one or more rotors generate a significant amount of lift (e.g., 70%) during rotorborne flight (e.g., vertical takeoff, hover, etc), and tilt to provide forward propulsion during wingborne flight. The rotors preferably employ individual blade control, and are battery powered. The vehicle preferably flies in an autopilot or pilotless mode and has a relatively small (e.g., less than 45′ diameter) footprint.

Apparatus, systems, and methods are contemplated for electric powered vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft. Such are craft are engineered to carry safely carry at least 500 pounds (approx. 227 kg) using a few (e.g., 2-4) rotors, generally variable speed rigid (non-articulated) rotors. It is contemplated that one or more rotors generate a significant amount of lift (e.g., 70%) during rotorborne flight (e.g., vertical takeoff, hover, etc), and tilt to provide forward propulsion during wingborne flight. The rotors preferably employ individual blade control, and are battery powered. The vehicle preferably flies in an autopilot or pilotless mode and has a relatively small (e.g., less than 45′ diameter) footprint.

A lead screw control actuation system. A system according to an embodiment includes a motor configured to rotate a lead screw that is configured to increase torque provided by the motor. The lead screw is coupled to a nut through a threaded opening such that rotation of the lead screw causes the nut to move along a longitudinal axis of the lead screw. The nut includes a slot oriented in a direction perpendicular to the direction of motion of the nut. The system further includes a lever arm including a pin at a first end of the lever arm, the pin configured to slide in the slot of the nut to cause the lever arm to rotate in response to the motion of the nut. A second end of the lever arm is coupled to a canard such that rotation of the lever arm causes the canard to rotate.

An airframe includes a body, a first wing, a second wing and a vane. The body extends longitudinally along a longitudinal centerline from a forward end of the body to an aft end of the body. The first wing and the second wing are disposed to opposing lateral sides of the body. The vane projects vertically out from the body to a tip of the vane. The vane extends longitudinally along the body from a leading edge of the vane to a trailing edge of the vane. A first open rotor propulsion system is vertically above and mounted to the body. A second open rotor propulsion system is vertically above and mounted to the body. The vane is configured as a structural barrier laterally between the first open rotor propulsion system and the second open rotor propulsion system.

A vehicle for travelling on a road and in the air is provided, comprising a fuselage extending from a forward to a rear end along a horizontal longitudinal roll axis, a pair of main wings mounted on the rear end of the fuselage, a pair of canard wings mounted to the fuselage forward of the main wings, a plurality of wheels configured to facilitate travelling on the road, and a rotor system comprising a plurality of rotors. Each of the main and canard wings extend from the fuselage in deployed positions, and are configured to be shifted to a stowed position in which it overlies the fuselage. The rotor system comprises a pair of tiltable main rotors mounted a main wing and configured to tilt through a plurality of positions between a forward position parallel with the roll axis, and an upward position parallel with the yaw axis.

Apparatus, systems, and methods are contemplated for electric powered vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft. Such are craft are engineered to carry safely carry at least 500 pounds (approx. 227 kg) using a few (e.g., 2-4) rotors, generally variable speed rigid (non-articulated) rotors. It is contemplated that one or more rotors generate a significant amount of lift (e.g., 70%) during rotorborne flight (e.g., vertical takeoff, hover, etc), and tilt to provide forward propulsion during wingborne flight. The rotors preferably employ individual blade control, and are battery powered. The vehicle preferably flies in an autopilot or pilotless mode and has a relatively small (e.g., less than 45′ diameter) footprint.

An aircraft comprising a fuselage with a nose and a tail arranged on opposite parts to each other along a first longitudinal axis is described; a pair of half-wings arranged on respective mutually opposite sides of the fuselage; a first and a second rotor carried by respective half-wings, respectively rotatable around a second and third axis inclinable with respect to said fuselage, and independently operable from each other; the aircraft is switchable between a first hovering flight or take-off / landing configuration wherein the fourth and fifth axis are arranged orthogonal to said first axis; and a second forward flight configuration wherein the fourth and fifth axis are arranged parallel or inclined with respect to said first axis; the aircraft further comprising a tail portion comprising a first aerodynamic surface, and a third and a fourth rotor rotatable around a fixed fourth and a fifth axis; and support means of the third and fourth rotor connected to a corresponding said half-wing and to a corresponding said fin.

An aircraft designed for vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) and fixed wing flight. The aircraft's structure includes a streamlined fuselage, forward swept wing and a canard, featuring a configuration of propulsors symmetrically embedded along the aircraft's longitudinal center of gravity and tilting propellers on the forward swept wingtips. Additionally, the fuselage includes doors to the propulsor ducts that can be opened for vertical flight and closed for forward flight.

An aircraft apparatus is disclosed that has a fuselage; and a wing coupled to the fuselage, where the wing comprises a port outboard wing section and a starboard outboard wing section; where each of the port outboard wing section and the starboard outboard wing section comprise at least one of: curved leading edges of varying radii and curved trailing edges of varying radii.

Apparatus, systems, and methods are contemplated for electric powered vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft. Such are craft are engineered to carry safely carry at least 500 pounds (approx. 227 kg) using a few (e.g., 2-4) rotors, generally variable speed rigid (non-articulated) rotors. It is contemplated that one or more rotors generate a significant amount of lift (e.g., 70%) during rotorborne flight (e.g., vertical takeoff, hover, etc), and tilt to provide forward propulsion during wingborne flight. The rotors preferably employ individual blade control, and are battery powered. The vehicle preferably flies in an autopilot or pilotless mode and has a relatively small (e.g., less than 45′ diameter) footprint.

One embodiment is an aircraft including a fuselage; a wing connected to the fuselage; first and second booms connected to the wing on opposite sides of the fuselage; first and second forward propulsion systems attached to forward ends of the first and second booms; first and second aft propulsion systems fixedly attached proximate aft ends of the first and second booms; first and second wing-mounted propulsion systems connected to outboard ends of wings; and first and second wing tips fixedly connected to outboard sides of the first and second wing-mounted propulsion systems; wherein the first and second wing-mounted propulsion systems and the first and second wing tips are collectively tiltable between a first position when the aircraft is in a hover mode and a second position when the aircraft is in a cruise mode.

A convertible aircraft with an airframe defining a first longitudinal axis is described; a pair of half-wings; a first, a second, a third, a fourth, a fifth and a sixth rotor rotatable about respective first, second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth axis, and operable independently of each other so as to generate respectively a first, a second, a third, a fourth, a fifth and a sixth thrust value independent of each other; said fifth and sixth rotor being carried by respective said half-wings and inclinable with respect to said airframe; the aircraft being switchable between a first hovering flight configuration wherein the sixth and seventh axis are arranged orthogonal to the first axis; and a second forward flight configuration wherein the sixth and seventh axis are arranged parallel to or inclined with respect to the first axis; the aircraft comprises first supports adapted to support the fifth and sixth rotor with respect to the respective half-wings; the first supports being arranged spaced apart from respective free ends of respective half-wings according to an extension direction of respective half-wings.

The invention relates to the technical field of aviation aircrafts, and particularly discloses a vertical take-off and landing aircraft which comprises an aircraft body, a main wing, a canard wing, a connecting rod, a first power unit, a second power unit and a third power unit. According to the vertical take-off and landing aircraft, the aircraft body and the connecting rods can bear loads, the loading capacity is further improved, meanwhile, the first power unit, the second power unit and the third power unit are arranged, after any power unit fails, other power units can guarantee safe operation of the vertical take-off and landing aircraft, and the safety of the vertical take-off and landing aircraft is improved. The problems that in the prior art, a vertical take-off and landing aircraft is low in loading capacity and out-of-control easily occurs after any rotor wing fails are effectively solved. Through the third power unit which is obliquely arranged at the fixed angle, a part of lift force can be provided when the vertical take-off and / or vertical landing of the vertical take-off and landing aircraft is carried out, the take-off and landing process of the vertical take-off and landing aircraft is completed through the first power unit and the second power unit, and the stability is improved.

An aircraft is provided that includes an airframe having a first wing with a curved wingtip positioned above a second wing with a curved wingtip. A rotor assembly positioned between the curved wingtips between the first and second wings can be utilized to provide both vertical thrust for vertical takeoff of the aircraft and autorotation to generate electrical energy for recharging an onboard power source. The first wing can be formed in a V-shape. An additional rotor assembly can be included in a rotatable canard that provides forward and vertical thrust to the aircraft.

An airfoil of an aircraft with an ice protection system, the airfoil having a leading edge, the ice protection system comprising a first applying mechanism for applying an ice protection fluid along at least a portion of the leading edge of the airfoil, and an ice protection fluid recovering mechanism for recovering the ice protection fluid applied by the first applying mechanism, the ice protection fluid recovering mechanism being arranged downstream of the leading edge of the airfoil. The ice protection system further comprises a second applying mechanism for applying the ice protection fluid recovered by the ice protection fluid recovering mechanism on at least one area of the airfoil arranged downstream of the leading edge of the airfoil. An aircraft may comprise at least one airfoil provided with the ice protection system. A method may be used to protect the airfoil of an aircraft from ice accumulation.

To provide a different hybrid aircraft by maximizing the revenue load that the hybrid aircraft can transport.SOLUTION: The present invention relates to a vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircraft, a method of controlling a VTOL aircraft, and a control system for controlling a VTOL aircraft. The aircraft comprises a fuselage having wings extending along transverse axes and attached to a fuselage extending between longitudinal axes of the aircraft, and a tail unit or a front tail unit. An array of electric rotors is fixedly mounted to the airframe. The front and rear internal combustion engines are pivotally mounted to the fuselage, and the front and rear rotors are displaceable between a lift position oriented to provide vertical lift to the aircraft for vertical flight and a propulsion position in which the front and rear rotors are oriented to provide forward thrust to the aircraft for horizontal flight. The front and rear rotors provide most or all of the vertical lift for the aircraft during vertical flight.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

A vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircraft is disclosed, including a fuselage having an elevated front section configured to accommodate antennas for obstruction- free communication and a rear section configured to hold an engine, fuel storage, battery, and payload with easy and ergonomic access for loading, unloading, and maintenance A pair of wings extends laterally from fuselage to generate lift during flight, while a pair of canards are positioned forward of the wings to improve stability. The fuselage, the wings and canards are shaped to provide a significant nose-up pitching moment, enabling longitudinal stability at positive angles of attack. A pair of booms interconnect fuselage, wings, and canards to form an interconnected box-like structure that uniformly distributes loads across the aircraft. The aircraft includes VTOL rotors for vertical thrust, concealed landing gears for reduced air drag, and a cowling system with air inlets and outlets that provide efficient engine cooling.

A vehicle, includes a main body. A fluid generator is coupled to the main body and produces a fluid stream. At least one tail conduit is fluidly coupled to the generator. First and second fore ejectors are coupled to the main body and respectively coupled to a starboard side and port side of the vehicle. The fore ejectors respectively comprise an outlet structure out of which fluid flows. At least one tail ejector is fluidly coupled to the tail conduit. The tail ejector comprises an outlet structure out of which fluid flows. A primary airfoil element includes a closed wing having a leading edge and a trailing edge. The leading and trailing edges of the closed wing define an interior region. The at least one propulsion device is at least partially disposed within the interior region.

Examples of a refueling device for use in in-flight refueling operation are provided. In at least one example the refueling device includes a body, a boom member and a spatial control system. The body is configured for being towed by a tanker aircraft in a forward direction via a fuel hose at least during in-flight refueling operation, the body having a body longitudinal axis and a neutral point. The boom member is carried by the body. The boom member has a fuel delivery nozzle, the fuel delivery nozzle being configured for selectively engaging with a fuel receptacle in a receiver aircraft to enable fuel to be transferred from the fuel hose to the receiver aircraft during such in-flight refueling operation. The spatial control system is configured for selectively providing stability and control to the refueling device. At least during refueling operation the fuel delivery nozzle is longitudinally forward of the neutral point.

A first power source, a second power source, and a power controller are provided, where a vehicle that includes the first power source, the second power source, and the power controller is capable of flying in a transitional mode between a hovering mode and a forward flight mode. The power controller selects one or more of the first power source and the second power source to power a rotor included in the vehicle during the transitional mode.

An aircraft that includes a canard having a leading edge and a trailing edge, a forward swept and fixed wing having a trailing edge, and a plurality of tilt rotor submodules, a dovetail, and a T-tail. The plurality of tilt rotor submodules are coupled to the trailing edge of the forward swept and fixed wing. The dovetail is attached to an underside of a fuselage. The T-tail is located above the dovetail. A horizontal plane of the T-tail is at a height that is higher than a horizonal plane of the forward swept and fixed wing.

An electric vertical take-off and landing vehicle includes a fuselage containing an internal compartment which may be used to transport a person, animal, or object. The fuselage includes a canard located at a forward portion of the fuselage in front of the internal compartment. A pair of wings extend outward from the fuselage wherein each of the pair of wings contains a propulsion unit configured to provide thrust. It is desired that each propulsion unit is in fixed orientation to the fuselage and the pair of wings. A landing foot is also included and configured to rotate the fuselage into and out of a vertical orientation when on the ground. The internal compartment of the fuselage is configured to rotate to maintain an upright orientation as the fuselage is at its various orientations.

To control charging of a battery without applying an overload by power feed of a generator based on a state of charge of the battery. A charge control system includes an engine and a motor generator for supplying generated power to two motors of a VTOL rotor and a cruising rotor, a plurality of batteries including two batteries for storing the electrical power generated by the generator and supply the stored electrical power to each of the two motors, a switch for connecting or disconnecting each of the batteries to or from the generator, and a control section for controlling the switch based on a state of charge of each of the batteries to disconnect one battery with a larger charge amount out of the two batteries from the generator and connect the other battery with the smaller charge amount out of the two batteries to the generator.

The invention relates to an electric short-distance take-off and landing double-wing aircraft which comprises an aircraft body, wings and a lift augmentation power assembly. The wings comprise an upper wing, a lower wing and a vertical fin, one ends of the upper wing and the lower wing are connected through the vertical fin, the upper wing and the lower wing are equal in chord length, and the ratio of the chord length to the distance between the upper wing and the lower wing is 0.8; the high lift power assembly comprises a folding propeller, a driving motor and a slotted flap. The range extending power system comprises a variable pitch propeller, a fuel engine, a motor, a power conversion unit and a storage battery; the folding propellers are mounted at the front edges of the wings; the fuel engine is connected with the variable-pitch propeller, and the motor is connected with the variable-pitch propeller and the power conversion unit. Compared with the prior art, performance breakthrough is achieved through oil-electricity hybrid power; on the premise of not excessively increasing the extension length of the wings, the lift force is directly increased by increasing the total area of the wings through the double-layer wings, and the infiltration area of the aircraft is reduced by adopting the canard wings to carry out large-attack-angle longitudinal control.

A vehicle for travelling on a road and in the air is provided, comprising a fuselage extending from a forward to a rear end along a horizontal longitudinal roll axis, a pair of main wings mounted on the rear end of the fuselage, a pair of canard wings mounted to the fuselage forward of the main wings, a plurality of wheels configured to facilitate travelling on the road, and a rotor system comprising a plurality of rotors. Each of the main and canard wings extend from the fuselage in deployed positions, and are configured to be shifted to a stowed position in which it overlies the fuselage. The rotor system comprises a pair of tiltable main rotors mounted a main wing and configured to tilt through a plurality of positions between a forward position parallel with the roll axis, and an upward position parallel with the yaw axis.

This present invention relates to the field of aircraft and discloses an aircraft and a method for connecting a canard to an arm. The connection method is used to couple a canard and an arm. The canard comprises a coupling insertion portion, which comprises a plurality of fixing portions. The arm comprises an arm insertion cavity, and an insertion opening is provided at one end of the arm insertion cavity. The coupling insertion portion is configured to be inserted into the arm insertion cavity through the insertion opening and is fixed within the arm via the fixing portions. In the present invention a detachable structure is enabled between the canard and the arm, allowing the position of the center of lift to be adjusted by exchanging canards featuring different designs, thereby adapting to aircraft cabins with different centers of gravity.