Aeronautics and astronautics – Aircraft sustentation – Sustaining airfoils
Patent
1987-11-13
1990-04-03
Barefoot, Galen
Aeronautics and astronautics
Aircraft sustentation
Sustaining airfoils
244123, 2441181, 244 87, B64C 338
Patent
active
049133780
ABSTRACT:
An airplane construction is described in which the flight characteristics of the airplane, are radically changed from hypersonic capable to short take off and landing (STOL) capable by the approximate ninety degree (90) rotation of a new component of the airplane, referred to as a body spar, which function is to maintain structural integrity of the airplane and maintain the required alignment of such elements as the fixed wings, thrust providers, control surfaces and landing gear, regardless of the mode of flight of the airplane.
The single largest component of the airplane, referred to as the wing/fuselage component, is so shaped as to be a high aspect ratio, highly cambered, (STOL) wing when the airplane is configured for subsonic/STOL flight, that is when this wing/fuselage is positioned at an approximate right angle to the body spar.
With the airplane configured for transonic/hypersonic flight, by the positioning of the body spar parallel the wing/fuselage component, this component becomes aerodynamically and otherwise, an efficient fuselage.
Also described are means of movement, in or out of a wing/fuselage component and body spar, of people and material, either from transporters, ramps or other parts of the airplane, by using hatches located at the junctures of the wing/fuselage with the body spar.
Also described is means for achieving maximum length of a wing/fuselage component in order to increase its span as a STOL wing. This is achieved by the placement of the vertical fin and rudder on the body spar but off the center line of the airplane, and by the placement of two flight control decks within the wing/fuselage component.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3155344 (1964-11-01), Vogt
patent: 4036455 (1977-07-01), Whitener
Coward, "A Study to Determine the Weight and Performance Character of Variable Geometry Spacecraft" NASA CR 66685, Jul. 12, 1968.
LandOfFree
Airplane with transonic/hypersonic to short take off and landing does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Airplane with transonic/hypersonic to short take off and landing, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Airplane with transonic/hypersonic to short take off and landing will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-1352189