Aeronautics and astronautics – Aircraft – heavier-than-air – Airplane and fluid sustained
Patent
1988-10-04
1991-06-25
Peters, Jr., Joseph F.
Aeronautics and astronautics
Aircraft, heavier-than-air
Airplane and fluid sustained
244 1711, 244 23B, B64C 2900
Patent
active
050260022
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
The invention relates to a vehicle or craft which combines the functions of the helicopter and the aerodynamic winged hull to produce an amphibious aircraft capable of vertical take-off and translational flight, able to descend and land on virtually any type of terrain and to travel on or near the surface of land, swamp, water, snow, and ice as a surface effect amphibian in a safe efficient and exceptionally smooth, stable manner. The invention incorporates a stream-line aerodynamic winged hull fuselage with one or an arrangement of large circuliar ducts passing right through fuselage body so formed within this main fuselage. Set within the confines of these ducts are one or more lift rotors mounted with a vertical axis alignment, Additionally, top mounted helicoptor lift and flight rotor or rotors are provided. The upper lift and propulsion rotor or rotors and tail rotor or rotors are arranged in a helicopter configuration. Depending on the specific application, the device can incorporate on-deck propulsion thrusters for additional thrust for flight and close surface travel, and can have below deck water engaging propellers or thrusters for water propulsion. The invention has been devised to provide a novel form of amphibious aircraft, capable of maneuvering over inhospitable terrain and able to operate efficiently in flight as wing in-ground effect over land, swamp, snow, ice or water, to operate in the "in-ground" effect or in elevated flight within the usual helicopter altitude ceilings, capable of carrying substantial loading over sea or land masses.
The device can be produced in an economical manner and readily put into service. One of the important advantages of this invention is the ability of this craft to carry heavy loads and economically travel long distances close to water or unprepared land, snow or ice when operating in wing, "in-ground effect", and yet be able to lift over any obstacle when required, such as, over bars, breaking surf, reefs or rocky shores, cliffs or steep shore lines, and land safely on any suitable flat land, snow, ice or water. The device has the ability to operate as an effective vessel in the open sea, over long distances, providing safe night transport. The transport of cargo over distances with conventional helicopters is uneconomical and limited by fuel capacities. Power input is greatly reduced using this invention in "in-ground" effect transport mode. The device would have a wide application of use providing a completely new concept of air, land and water transport with extensive military, tourist, rescue, arctic exploration, agriculture and commercial and defence applications.
Further advantages will be apparent from the following description:
According to the invention the device consists of a lower flat or formed main fuselage body in the form of a stream-lined aerodynamic shape supporting the main helicopter like rotor assembly and having a rotor fan assembly within a vertical duct through the fuselage. The drive engines are mounted on or within this body, either centrally located on the rotor axis, amidship or at either side of fuselage or at the rear, adjacent to any propulsion or tail rotor assembly. The control, passenger and cargo superstructure are located at the forward or bow position of the fuselage body and at the rear or aft position depending on requirements of model. Translational flight is accomplished by the cyclic pitch control of the main lift rotor or rotors, which also provide manoeuvrability in conjunction with collective pitch control lever.
Complimentary lift and propulsion is provided by the lower in-fuselage duct mounted rotor or rotors. Radial struts or formed superstructure rising from the main fuselage, support the vertical central single or contra-rotating rotor assembly which are driven from engines mounted within this assembly or from engines mounted on or within main fuselage assembly.
The higher top single or contrarotating rotor or rotors are mounted so as to be well above the lower main fuselage housing the lower lift rotor or
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Bidwell Anne E.
Peters Jr. Joseph F.
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