US3632065A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Rotary wing aircraft
Assignee: VLM CORP
•
Filing: 1969-11-19
•
Granted: 1972-01-04
•
Expires: 1989-11-19
Abstract
Abstract This application discloses an improved rotary wing aircraft capable of vertical lift. The aircraft employs airfoils or rotor blades which rotate in tracks surrounding the fuselage with the airfoils being driven by low-pressure air directed through nozzles onto turbine blades in the outer track. Directional control is provided by tilting the plane of rotation of the rotor blades or by cyclic pitch control of the rotors.
Inventors
- 👤 William N Rosta
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 15:41
CPC Classifications
B; B64; B64C; B64C27/00; B64C27/20
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 28
Claim 1
Independent Claim
193 words
An improved rotary wing aircraft comprising a body; means defining a nonrotatable inner circular track encircling said body, said inner track means being disposed in a substantially horizontal plane relative to said body; means defining a circular outer track encircling said body; said outer track means being disposed in a plane substantially parallel to that of said inner track means and being concentric therewith; strut means for nonrotatably connecting said outer track means to said body; a rotor comprising: an inner ring rotatably supported by said inner track means; a plurality of elongated blades connected at one end to said inner ring and extending radially outward therefrom; and an outer ring concentric with said inner ring to which the outer ends of said blades are connected; said outer track means and said outer ring defining turbine drive means responsive to the flow of low-pressure gas for effecting rotation of said rotor within said track means; supply chamber means associated with said outer track means for directing pressurized gas to said turbine means; means for providing gas in said supply chamber means at a pressure in the range of from 0.5 to 22 p.s.i.g.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
193 words
An improved rotary wing aircraft comprising a body; means defining a nonrotatable inner circular track encircling said body, said inner track means being disposed in a substantially horizontal plane relative to said body; means defining a circular outer track encircling said body; said outer track means being disposed in a plane substantially parallel to that of said inner track means and being concentric therewith; strut means for nonrotatably connecting said outer track means to said body; a rotor comprising: an inner ring rotatably supported by said inner track means; a plurality of elongated blades connected at one end to said inner ring and extending radially outward therefrom; and an outer ring concentric with said inner ring to which the outer ends of said blades are connected; said outer track means and said outer ring defining turbine drive means responsive to the flow of low-pressure gas for effecting rotation of said rotor within said track means; supply chamber means associated with said outer track means for directing pressurized gas to said turbine means; means for providing gas in said supply chamber means at a pressure in the range of from 0.5 to 22 p.s.i.g.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
62 words
A rotary wing aircraft as set forth in claim 1 said struts being hingedly connected to said body and to said outer track means to permit axial movement of said outer track means relative to the axis of rotor rotation; and said rotor blades being hingedly connected to said inner and outer rings to permit corresponding axial movement of said outer ring.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
49 words
A rotary wing aircraft as set forth in claim 2 wherein said outer track means and said rotor outer ring are of fixed diameters; and wherein said struts and said rotor blades are longitudinally extendable to permit said axial movement of said outer track means and said outer ring.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
43 words
A rotary wing aircraft as set forth in claim 3 wherein said outer track means define a guide recess for said rotor outer ring; said guide recess opening vertically upward to permit axial separation of said guide track means and said rotor ring.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
42 words
A rotary wing aircraft as set forth in claim 4 including means for guiding and supporting the inner ends of said strut means to maintain said outer track means concentric with said rotor axis during vertical movement of said outer track means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
75 words
A rotary wing aircraft as set forth in claim 5 wherein said strut means include inner and outer telescoping members; said inner telescoping members being pivotally connected to said body for vertical swinging movement; trunnion means provided at the inner ends of said outer telescoping members adapted for support by said body; and means on said body defining guide slots for confining the movement of said trunnion means during vertical swinging of said strut means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
38 words
A rotary wing aircraft as set forth in claim 6 wherein said guide slot means define innermost apexes for limiting the inward movement of said outer telescoping members thereby maintaining said outer track means concentric with said body.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
47 words
A rotary wing aircraft as set forth in claim 3 wherein said rotor blades are connected to said outer ring by means accommodating relative radial movement between said ring and the outer ends of said blades and maintaining concentricity of said outer ring with said rotor axis.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
46 words
A rotary wing aIrcraft as set forth in claim 4 wherein said guide track means includes nozzle means supplied by said supply chamber means providing a downward component of force sufficient to urge said outer track means upward in guiding relation with said rotor outer ring.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
79 words
A rotary wing aircraft as set forth in claim 4 said rotor outer ring including a plurality of annularly spaced turbine blades; said outer track means including a plurality of spaced turbine nozzles opening to said supply chamber means and disposed to direct pressurized gas against said turbine blades; and said turbine nozzles being directed downwardly to provide a vertical component of force effective to urge said outer track means upwardly into driving relation with said rotor outer ring.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
153 words
A rotary wing aircraft as set forth in claim 1 each of said rotor blades comprising a longitudinal spar element nonrotatably fixed to said inner ring, and an airfoil element rotatable relative to said spar element to effect pitch control; a slide member movable longitudinally within said rotor blade relative to said spar element and said airfoil element; means nonrotatably coupling said slide member to one of said elements; and coacting cam means associated with said slide member and the other said elements effecting relative rotation of said elements responsive to longitudinal movement of said slide members; an annular cyclic pitch control member in said inner ring; elongated means in said blades connecting each of said slide members to said annular pitch control member; and means controlling the eccentricity of rotation of said annular pitch control member with respect to the rotor axis to thereby cyclically control the pitch of the airfoil elements.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
44 words
A rotary wing aircraft as set forth in claim 11 wherein said slide members are urged to move radially outward under the influence of centrifugal force; and wherein said elongated means connecting said slide members to said annular pitch control member are flexible cables.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
46 words
A rotary wing aircraft as set forth in claim 12 wherein said slide members include first members connected to said flexible cables and second members urged radially inward relative to said first members by compression springs; and said cam means being associated with said second members.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
19 words
An aircraft as set forth in claim 11 wherein said slide members are nonrotatably coupled to said airfoil element.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
20 words
A rotary wing aircraft as set forth in claim 11 said slide members are nonrotatably coupled to said spar element.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
54 words
A rotary wing aircraft as set forth in claim 11 wherein said slide members include weighted members urged radially inward by compression springs; and said cam means being associated with said weighted members, said weighted members tending to produce pitch control of said airfoil elements related to the speed of rotation of the rotor.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
52 words
A rotary wing aircraft as set forth in claim 1 including means independent of said body defining said inner track means; and means for varying the angle of the plane of said inner track means and of said rotor relative to said body, to control the direction of movement of the aircraft.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
59 words
A rotary wing aircraft as set forth in claim 17 including a plurality of pneumatic cylinders connecting said independent inner track means to said body; and means for controlling said pneumatic cylinders to vary the angle of the plane of said inner track means and rotor relative to said body to control the direction of movement of the aircraft.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
57 words
A rotary wing aircraft as set forth in claim 1 including means for varying the angle of the plane of said rotor relative to said body; and said body having its center of gravity along said rotor and being of sufficient weight that the inclination of said rotor does not result in substantial inclination of said body.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
31 words
A rotary wing aircraft as set forth in claim 1 wherein the pitch of said rotor blades is adjuStable; and including means for producing cyclic pitch variations of said rotor blades.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
58 words
A rotary wing aircraft as set forth in claim 20 including blade pitch control means provided in each of said rotor blades for pivoting said blades about their longitudinal axes; a cyclic pitch control member in said inner rotor ring; and elongated means extending through said blades connecting said blade pitch control means with said pitch control member.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
30 words
A rotary wing aircraft as set forth in claim 1 wherein said means for providing gas in said supply chamber means provides gas at a pressure of about 13 p.s.i.g.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
34 words
A rotary wing aircraft as set forth in claim 1 wherein said means for providing gas in said supply chamber means provides gas at a pressure in the range from 5 to 22 p.s.i.g.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
57 words
A rotary wing aircraft as set forth in claim 1 wherein said turbine drive means includes a plurality of annularly spaced converging nozzles; said supply chamber means supplying gas to the inlet ends of said nozzles at a pressure of about 13 p.s.i.g.; and said converging nozzles being adapted to discharge said gas at near sonic velocities.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
51 words
A rotary wing aircraft as set forth in claim 1 said rotor outer ring having a plurality of annularly spaced turbine blades; said outer track means including a plurality of turbine nozzles for directing pressurized gas to said turbine blades; and said turbine nozzles being supplied from said supply chamber means.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
54 words
A rotary wing aircraft as set forth in claim 25 wherein said turbine nozzles are converging nozzles having their inlet ends opening to said supply chamber means; said turbine nozzles being adapted to discharge pressurized gas at near sonic velocities from an inlet gas pressure in said supply chamber means of about 13 p.s.i.g.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
81 words
A rotary wing aircraft as set forth in claim 1 including means for supporting said body when not in flight comprising: an annular member encircling the lower portion of said body and extending below the lower surface thereof; and means for directing pressurized gas into the downward opening recess defined by said annular member and the lower portion of said body, whereby said aircraft is supported above a surface on a cushion of air and can be moved along said surface.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3182929A
Cited
US3532303A
Cited
US3519224A
Cited
US3465989A
Cited
US3437290A
Cited
US3507461A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-01-03 | 1975-07-05 | 1976-01-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-01-03 | 1979-07-05 | 1980-01-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-01-03 | 1983-07-05 | 1984-01-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |