1129results about "Power plant arrangements/mounting" patented technology

A system and method are provided for a short take-off and landing / vertical take-off and landing aircraft that stores required take-off power in the form of primarily an electric fan engine, and secondarily in the form of an internal combustion engine, wherein the combined power of the electric fan and internal combustion engines can cause the STOL / VTOL A / C to take-off in substantially less amount of time and space than other STOL / VTOL A / C, and further wherein the transition from vertical to horizontal thrust is carefully executed to rapidly rise from the take-off position to a forward flight position, thereby minimizing the necessity for a larger electric fan engine.

A fan variable area nozzle (FVAN) includes a flap assembly which varies a fan nozzle exit area through a cam drive ring. The flap assembly generally includes a multiple of flaps, flap linkages and an actuator system. The actuator system rotationally translates the cam drive ring relative an engine centerline axis which results in a follower of the flap linkage following a cam surface to pivot each flap such that the flap assembly dilates about the circumferential hinge line. Rotation of the cam drive ring adjusts dilation of the entire fan nozzle exit area in a symmetrical manner. Another cam drive ring includes a multiple of movable cams which engages the follower of the flap linkage of each flap such that pivotable movement of a particular number of the multiple of movable cams about a respective cam pivot results in vectoring of the FVAN.

A disclosed vertical lift flying craft includes a lift unit that, during operation, develops a force including an upward component. A payload unit suspends from the lift unit. The payload unit suspends from the lift unit in such a way as to impart lateral stability while remaining capable of horizontal flight, without incurring the adverse effects of a downward pitching moment. In addition to a lift unit and a payload unit, the vertical lift flying craft includes a pair of bearings and a suspension structure, which cooperate to suspend the payload unit from the lift unit. Other systems and methods are also disclosed.

A high-altitude aircraft powerplant including an engine, a two-stage turbocharger having an intercooler and an aftercooler, a cryogenic hydrogen fuel source, and a cooling system including a hydrogen heat exchanger. Aided by a ram-air cooler that cools a coolant to a near-ambient temperature, the heat exchanger is configured to heat the hydrogen using the coolant, and to cool the coolant to a temperature well below the ambient temperature during high-altitude flight. The intercooler and aftercooler use the sub-ambient temperature coolant, as does a separate sensor. The ram-air cooler includes a front portion and a rear portion. The cooling system includes three cooling loops which respectively incorporate only the front portion, only the rear portion, and both portions of the ram-air cooler.

A vertical take-off and landing aircraft is provided with a plurality of thrust generators which generate thrust substantially vertically upward with respect to the aircraft; a first prime mover which drives the thrust generators, and an occupant seat. At least one of the thrust generators is disposed at either a front section of the aircraft or a rear section of the aircraft, and the remaining thrust generator or thrust generators are disposed at either the rear section or the front section, whichever the at least one of the thrust generators is not disposed at. The prime mover and a sitting surface of the occupant seat are disposed between the at least one of the thrust generators at the front section of the aircraft and the at least one of the thrust generators at the rear section of the aircraft, and in a position lower than all of the thrust generators. The center of gravity of the vertical take-off and landing aircraft is below the center of the aircraft and hangs down when the aircraft is in flight due to the thrust generated by the thrust generators.