Homeostatic flying hovercraft

US20060144994A1Inactive Publication Date: 2006-07-06SPIROV PETER +1
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Patent Information

Authority / Receiving Office
US · United States
Current Assignee / Owner
Publication Date
2006-07-06
Estimated Expiration
Not applicable · inactive patent

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Abstract

A homeostatic flying hovercraft preferably utilizes at least two pairs of counter-rotating ducted fans to generate lift like a hovercraft and utilizes a homeostatic hover control system to create a flying craft that is easily controlled. The homeostatic hover control system provides true homeostasis of the craft with a true fly-by-wire flight control and control-by-wire system control.
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Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates generally to the field of heavier-than-air aeronautical craft that are sustained in air by the force of a fluid such as air. More particularly, the present invention relates to a homeostatic flying hovercraft and to a radio controlled flying saucer toy employing the principals of a homeostatic flying hovercraft. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Ever since the term “flying saucer” was first introduced in 1947, the concept of a circular flying craft has become a staple of popular culture. Unlike conventional aircraft in which lift is produced by the difference between the air flowing over the top versus the bottom of a wing, most flying saucers have proposed using the aerodynamic effect of a spinning disc to at least partially generate the lift required for the craft. The flying disc toy known as the Frisbee® is perhaps the best example of this principal. While numerous concepts relating to spinning, flying disc-shaped craf...

Examples

Embodiment Construction

[0067] As illustrated in FIGS. 16-20, a preferred embodiment of a homeostatic flying hovercraft 200 is presented in accordance with the present invention. The homeostatic flying hovercraft 200 has generally an ellipsoid shaped body 200, having an upper surface 202 and bottom surface 204. As illustrated in FIG. 18, the upper surface 202 is comprised of a solid outer ring 206 of the saucer body 200 that extends radially inwards from the periphery and an removeable cover 208 containing a plurality of ventilation openings 210. Preferably, the cover 208 has a slightly greater curvature as compared to the outer ring 206. The lower surface 204, as illustrated in FIGS. 17 and 20 is a solid structure with four equally spaced circular duct openings 212. As illustrated in FIG. 19, each duct opening 212 preferably is angled at ten to fifteen degrees from the vertical and contains a battery-powered ducted fan 214 mounted inboard from the duct opening 212.

[0068]FIG. 21 provides a side cutaway vi...