Wing-in-Ground Vehicle Hover-to-Cruise Without Runways

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Solution Overview

Problem

Rotary-wing aircraft have limited range due to inefficiencies in horizontal movement, while fixed-wing aircraft require runways for take-off and landing, lacking instantaneous hover capability.

Innovation Solution

Airfoils designed for hovering and ground effect flight using blown air for lift, transitioning to horizontal flight without runways, combining vertical take-off and long-range capabilities.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If rotary-wing aircraft are used for vertical take-off and hover, then instantaneous hover capability is achieved, but horizontal movement efficiency is poor and range is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehover capabilityVSAvoidrange

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The aircraft transitions dynamically between different flight modes: vertical take-off using rotor lift, ground effect flight using wing lift, and conventional flight. This dynamic adaptation allows the aircraft to optimize performance for each phase of operation, achieving both hover capability and extended range

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The aircraft combines multiple flight capabilities in one design: vertical take-off and landing (VTOL), ground effect flight, and conventional horizontal flight. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate rotorcraft and fixed-wing aircraft, achieving both hover and long-range capabilities

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Duration of action of moving object

If fixed-wing aircraft are used for long-range flight, then range and horizontal movement efficiency are improved, but runway infrastructure is required for take-off and landing

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproverangeVSAvoidinfrastructure requirement

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The aircraft performs preliminary vertical take-off using rotor lift before transitioning to ground effect flight and conventional flight. This preliminary action eliminates the need for runway infrastructure, allowing the aircraft to operate from unprepared surfaces while maintaining long-range capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Productivity

If conventional aircraft designs are used, then flight efficiency is good, but instantaneous hover capability is lacking

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflight efficiencyVSAvoidhover capability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The aircraft dynamically transitions between rotor-driven vertical flight and wing-driven horizontal flight. During ground effect flight, the system optimizes the mix of rotor and wing lift to maintain both hover capability and flight efficiency, adapting to different operational requirements

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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

Achieves hover capability and efficient horizontal flight, bridging the range and speed advantages of fixed-wing aircraft with the versatility of rotary-wing aircraft, eliminating the need for runways.

Implementation Method 1

provides efficient hover and long-range flight with instantaneous lift transition

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAerodynamic lift: Aerofoil

Implementation Method 2

Wing-in-ground effect vehicles and uses thereof

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGround effect: Ground Effect

Data Source

PatentUS12606302B2Wing-in-ground effect vehicles and uses thereof

Publication Date: 2026.04.21 LEVANTA TECH LLC

AI summary

Wing-in-ground effect (WIG) vehicles are disclosed herein. Hovercraft takeoff and landing modes are disclosed herein. Uses of WIG vehicles, including for maritime monitoring, are disclosed herein.