Aeronautics and astronautics – Aircraft – heavier-than-air – Airplane sustained
Patent
1984-05-23
1986-07-22
Barefoot, Galen L.
Aeronautics and astronautics
Aircraft, heavier-than-air
Airplane sustained
244 90R, 244 46, 244 45R, 244DIG12, 244DIG13, 244DIG14, B64C 342
Patent
active
046014438
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
This invention relates to flyable structures.
Broadly, according to the present invention there is provided a flyable structure including an inflatable container of such form that when it is inflated the container provides an aerofoil shaped cross section whereby relative displacement between the container and surrounding air produces lift; and substantially rigid means for supporting a load from the container.
A second aspect of the invention provides a flyable structure including an elongate container which is inflatable so as to provide a pressurised body having a leading and trailing edge region, and being capable of producing aerodynamic lift on relative displacement of the body and the surrounding air; stiffening means for maintaining at least the leading edge region of the body in a spread out condition, the stiffening means having predetermined deformation charateristics which are utilisable in controlling the overall shape or profile of the container during flight conditions; substantially rigid means for supporting a load from the body.
Preferably, the load support means connects, at least in part, with the leading edge region of the body.
Conveniently, means are provided for enabling controlled changes or variations in the aerodynamic characteristics of the container to enable selective control of the flight path of the structure.
In a particular embodiment of the invention the control of the flight path is arranged to be effected by adjusting the position of the effective weight of the load with respect to the aerodynamic centre of lift of the structure.
Preferably, the adjustment of the weight position is effected by displacement of the load with respect to a mounting unit supported from the remainder of the structure.
In further embodiments facilities may be provided for enabling powered flight. In such cases arrangements may be made for enabling remote control of the powered drive for enabling local control in the case of manned flight.
Furthermore, positionally adjustable control surfaces may be provided for the purposes of controlling the flight path of the structure such as heading, descent, climb etc.
In a particular arrangement a canard wing formation can be provided the wing formation having an adjustable setting elevator part to allow contol of climb and descent.
For a better understanding of the invention and to show how to carry the same into effect reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings in which:
FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of a flyable structure incorporating the features of the invention;
FIG. 2 is an end view of the structure of FIG. 1 when the structure is aligned at a first angle of attack during flight;
FIG. 3 is an end view of the structure of FIG. 1 when the structure is aligned at a second angle of attack during flight;
FIG. 4 is a schematic representation of a second embodiment of a flyable structure incorporating the features of the present invention;
FIG. 5 is an end view of the structure of FIG. 4 when the structure is aligned at said first angle of attack during flight;
FIG. 6 is a front view of the structure of FIG. 1 illustrating a position of a load relative to the remainder of the structure during a control operation involving load displacement;
FIG. 7 is a front view of a further embodiment of a flyable structure incorporating the features of the invention;
FIGS. 8, 9, and 10 are views of still further embodiments of the flyable structure of the invention;
FIG. 11 is a schematic side view of a further embodiment of the flyable structure of the invention;
FIG. 12 schematically illustrates a combination of structure of the invention with a conventional aircraft;
FIG. 13 is a view of a more detailed representation of a structure of the invention, the Figure showing the use of additional flight control arrangements.
Referring now to FIGS. 1 to 3 of the drawings these show a first embodiment of a flyable structure incorporating the features of the invention; the flyable structure 1 comprising a wing formation 2 which comprises a generally rec
REFERENCES:
patent: 1022903 (1912-04-01), Warrick
patent: 2623712 (1952-12-01), Spraff
patent: 3135483 (1964-06-01), Girard
patent: 3507464 (1970-04-01), Rogallo
patent: 4129272 (1978-12-01), Jones et al.
patent: 4375280 (1983-03-01), Nicolaides
patent: 4424945 (1984-01-01), Dell
Jones Andrew W.
Merry Raymond
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