Aeronautics and astronautics – Aircraft – heavier-than-air – Airplane and fluid sustained
Patent
1982-09-30
1985-01-08
Barefoot, Galen L.
Aeronautics and astronautics
Aircraft, heavier-than-air
Airplane and fluid sustained
244 55, 244 56, B64C 1512, B64C 2900
Patent
active
044923538
ABSTRACT:
An aircraft capable of vertical short takeoff and landing is shown according to the teachings of the present invention as including four separate engine locations. In its most preferred form, the first and second engines are located on opposite sides of the fuselage of the aircraft and are pivotal about first and second axes which are in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the aircraft and which are in front of the center of gravity of the aircraft. The third and fourth engines are located on opposite sides of the fuselage of the aircraft and are pivotal about third and fourth pivot axes which are parallel to the first and second axes of the first and second engines, respectively, but which are behind the center of gravity of the aircraft. The engines are mounted and rotated about their respective pivot axes by a system including a shaft having a first end operatively attached to the engine. The shaft is pivotally mounted to the fuselage of the aircraft by a bearing system including first and second tapered roller bearing members wedged between frusto-conical surfaces formed in a bearing mount, on the shaft, and on a collar removably attached to the shaft. A drive gear is attached to the shaft for rotation by a worm gear driven in turn by actuators such as hydraulic or electric motors. Thus, the engines at all four locations can be simultaneously pivoted about their respective axes.
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