Adjustable Thrust Vectoring Turbine for Vertical Take-off and Landing Aircraft
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional aircraft require large runways for horizontal take-off and landing, limiting their operational flexibility and accessibility, especially for smaller aircraft, as they rely on complex systems and high fuel consumption, and existing vertical take-off and landing solutions are either expensive or inefficient.
Innovation Solution
An aircraft design featuring adjustable ducts and nozzles connected to statically mounted fan pods on wings, allowing for vertical take-off and landing while transitioning to horizontal thrust, with segmented or bellows-equipped ducts for vectoring thrust between vertical and horizontal configurations, enabling pitch and roll control without the need for runways.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional aircraft use horizontal thrust from engines and angle themselves to gain or lose altitude, then they can achieve efficient horizontal flight, but they require large and long runways for take-off and landing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the thrust vector adjustable between horizontal and vertical orientations. The engine assembly can dynamically change its thrust direction to provide vertical lift for short-field takeoff and landing, while maintaining horizontal thrust capability for efficient cruise flight. This dynamic adaptability eliminates the need for long runways while preserving efficient horizontal flight performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the parameter of thrust vector orientation from fixed horizontal to variable between horizontal and vertical. By adjusting the engine assembly's orientation, the aircraft can transition between different flight regimes (vertical takeoff/landing vs. horizontal cruise), effectively reducing runway requirements while maintaining flight efficiency.
2Ease of operation
If helicopters use rapidly spinning rotors to create momentum and lift for vertical take-off and landing, then they can perform vertical flight operations, but they are extremely expensive and harder to fly than planes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the complex rotor system from the aircraft design and replaces it with a modified turbine engine assembly. Instead of using rapidly spinning rotors to generate lift, the invention uses a turbine engine with adjustable thrust vectoring capability. This extraction of the rotor system eliminates the associated complexity and operational difficulty while maintaining vertical flight capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention substitutes the mechanical rotor system with a turbine-based thrust vectoring system. Rather than relying on rotating blades to generate aerodynamic lift, the aircraft uses a turbine engine that can direct thrust vertically for takeoff and landing. This substitution simplifies the mechanical system and makes the aircraft easier to operate while retaining vertical flight capabilities.
3Weight of moving object
If specialized planes use a large number of low-powered rotors spaced around a framework to provide vertical lift, then they can achieve vertical take-off and landing, but they have short battery life and add significant weight
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the horizontal thrust function and vertical lift function into a single turbine engine assembly. Instead of using multiple separate rotors distributed around the aircraft framework, the invention combines both functions into one integrated engine system with adjustable thrust vectoring. This merging significantly reduces the overall weight while maintaining both horizontal flight and vertical takeoff/landing capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The turbine engine assembly serves multiple functions: it provides horizontal thrust for cruise flight, vertical thrust for takeoff and landing, and can be adjusted to various angles for different flight regimes. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate rotor systems dedicated solely to vertical flight, thereby reducing weight while maintaining adaptability for both horizontal and vertical operations.
4Ease of operation
If specialized planes use fans incorporated into the fuselage or wings that can pivot and rotate, then they can provide some vertical momentum, but they lack the ability to make fine adjustments and require pitching and angling the body
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by implementing a thrust vectoring system that can make fine, precise adjustments to the engine's orientation. The engine assembly can be dynamically positioned at various angles relative to the aircraft body, allowing for precise control of thrust direction without requiring the aircraft body itself to be pitched or angled. This provides fine adjustment capability while maintaining a stable aircraft configuration.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This design allows for efficient vertical take-off and landing, reducing operational costs and increasing accessibility by eliminating the need for runways, while providing redundancy and flexibility in thrust direction, enhancing the aircraft's maneuverability and range.
Implementation Method 1
Each of the pair of rear wings and front wings includes an adjustably mounted turbine which comprises a statically mounted fan pod, a duct rotatably connected to the fan pod, and an adjustable nozzle rotatably connected to the duct
Data Source
AI summary
A vertical take-off and landing aircraft is provided. The aircraft comprises a fuselage which has a nose end, a tail end, and a plurality of seats disposed in the interior. A pair of rear wings extend outwardly from opposing sides of the fuselage between a cockpit and the tail end, and a pair of front wings extend outwardly from opposing sides of the fuselage between the cockpit and the nose end. Each of the pair of rear wings and front wings includes an adjustably mounted turbine which comprises a statically mounted fan pod, a duct rotatably connected to the fan pod, and an adjustable nozzle rotatably connected to the duct. The nozzle can be adjusted to a variety of configurations ranging between a vertical position and a horizontal position via the duct. The adjustably mounted turbine enables the aircraft to adjust thrust through vectors ranging between horizontal and vertical.