Patent US3622104A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3622104A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Aircraft
Assignee: BAE Systems PLC
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Filing: 1970-03-19
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Granted: 1971-11-23
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Expires: 1990-03-19
Abstract
Abstract An aircraft engine assembly is provided for a V/STOL aircraft which comprises a longitudinally disposed continuously rated vectored thrust propulsion engine having its jet efflux issuing through two laterally spaced dirigible jet nozzles at its aft end, the positioning in the aircraft being such that when these two dirigible nozzles are down-turned to give lift their combined thrust line is a few inches forward of the aircraft center of gravity. Between the two laterally spaced dirigible nozzles there is mounted substantially vertically a direct lift jet engine the thrust line of which lies a few inches aft of the aircraft center of gravity.
Inventors
- 👤 Charles Frederick David Clarke
- 👤 Ralph Spenser Hooper
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 13:47
CPC Classifications
B; B64; B64C; B64C29/00; B64C29/0008; B64C29/0041; B64C29/0066; B64C29/0058
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
151 words
A V/STOL aircraft, with an engine assembly comprising a continuously rated vectored thrust propulsion engine mounted with its principal axis fore and aft, which engine has at least one forward-facing air intake at its forward end and two laterally diverging jet pipes with laterally spaced dirigible jet nozzles at its aft end but is incapable of providing the total lift requirement by itself, and a single lift engine designed for only short running periods mounted with its axis substantially vertical in a position where it is substantially nested between said two dirigible nozzles, said lift engine having an upward facing air intake and a downwardly directed fixed jet nozzle, and wherein the line of resultant thrust of said two dirigible nozzles, when they are directed downward to give lift, and the thrust line of the lift engine, both lie within a few inches of the center of gravity of the aircraft.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
151 words
A V/STOL aircraft, with an engine assembly comprising a continuously rated vectored thrust propulsion engine mounted with its principal axis fore and aft, which engine has at least one forward-facing air intake at its forward end and two laterally diverging jet pipes with laterally spaced dirigible jet nozzles at its aft end but is incapable of providing the total lift requirement by itself, and a single lift engine designed for only short running periods mounted with its axis substantially vertical in a position where it is substantially nested between said two dirigible nozzles, said lift engine having an upward facing air intake and a downwardly directed fixed jet nozzle, and wherein the line of resultant thrust of said two dirigible nozzles, when they are directed downward to give lift, and the thrust line of the lift engine, both lie within a few inches of the center of gravity of the aircraft.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
52 words
An aircraft according to claim 1, wherein the resultant lifting thrust line of said two dirigible nozzles of the propulsion engine is a few inches forward of the center of gravity of the aircraft, while the thrust line of said lift engine is a few inches aft of the center of gravity.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
An aircraft according to claim 1, wherein both engines contribute high-pressure air to an aircraft attitude control system comprising small jets at the extremities of the wings and fuselage.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
An aircraft according to claim 3, wherein air bled from said lift engine is supplied to a forward attitude control jet at the nose of the fuselage.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
An aircraft according to claim 2, wherein the center of gravity of the aircraft shifts forwardly toward the lifting thrust line of said two dirigible nozzles as fuel is used up.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2870978A
Cited
US3347493A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-11-22 | 1975-05-24 | 1975-11-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-11-22 | 1979-05-24 | 1979-11-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-11-22 | 1983-05-24 | 1983-11-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |