US3840199A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Aircraft
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1972-05-09
•
Granted: 1974-10-08
•
Expires: 1992-05-09
Abstract
Abstract An aircraft having an airfoil provided with a plurality of openings on the upper lift surface thereof for directing an airflow over substantially the entire area of that surface. This flow decreases the pressure over the upper lift surface for creating lift forces sufficient to lift the aircraft. The size of the opening is varied by a selectively positionable, pivotal flap. A wall portion cooperating with the flap to form the opening may have one of several configurations including planar, a wedge, and an isosceles triangle with its apex adjacent the outer end of the flap. Further, an upper airfoil shaped member may be arranged at the lift surface of the airfoil adjacent the opening. Openings in various portions of the wings may be inversely positionable from symmetrically arranged openings for controlling the attitude of the aircraft. A propeller is arranged for ducting air to the openings. This propeller, which may be supplemented by at least one compressor stage, has variable and reversible pitch tips for selectively and variably providing thrust bidirectionally along the thrust line of the aircraft. When positioned for reversed thrust, these tips will provide a thrust which counters any thrust created by air escaping from the openings and permit the aircraft to hover. The airfoil is also provided with passages therethrough arranged in symmetrically spaced portions thereof in parallel to the aircraft thrust line. These passages have valves associated therewith and arranged for selectively and inversely directing airflow from the passages for imparting a moment to the airfoil which permits turning of the aircraft.
Inventors
- 👤 R Tibbs
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 15:29
CPC Classifications
B; B64; B64C; B64C29/00; B64C29/02; B64C23/00; B64C23/005
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
204 words
An aircraft comprising, in combination: a. an airfoil having a surface; b. means provided on said surface for directing a fluid flow over substantially the entire area thereof and decreasing the pressure thereover for creating lift forces sufficient by themselves to lift the aircraft, the directing means including a plurality of openings provided and arranged about the area on said surface, and means for varying the size of said opening; c. means for supplying fluid to the directing means, the supplying means including a propeller and means for ducting fluid from said propeller means to the directing means; and d. means for selectively and variably providing thrust bidirectionally along a thrust line and the thrust providing means including at least one variable and reversible pitch tip on said propeller arranged for permitting the aircraft to selectively move along the thrust line and to hover, the directing means further including means for imparting a moment to the airfoil having a passage arranged passing through the airfoil parallel to a thrust line thereof, and a valve inserted in the passage, whereby at least one opening of the passage is selectively positionable inversely to at least one symmetrically spaced opening for controlling the attitude of the aircraft.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
204 words
An aircraft comprising, in combination: a. an airfoil having a surface; b. means provided on said surface for directing a fluid flow over substantially the entire area thereof and decreasing the pressure thereover for creating lift forces sufficient by themselves to lift the aircraft, the directing means including a plurality of openings provided and arranged about the area on said surface, and means for varying the size of said opening; c. means for supplying fluid to the directing means, the supplying means including a propeller and means for ducting fluid from said propeller means to the directing means; and d. means for selectively and variably providing thrust bidirectionally along a thrust line and the thrust providing means including at least one variable and reversible pitch tip on said propeller arranged for permitting the aircraft to selectively move along the thrust line and to hover, the directing means further including means for imparting a moment to the airfoil having a passage arranged passing through the airfoil parallel to a thrust line thereof, and a valve inserted in the passage, whereby at least one opening of the passage is selectively positionable inversely to at least one symmetrically spaced opening for controlling the attitude of the aircraft.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
A structure as defined in claim 1, wherein the varying means is a selectively positionable, pivotally mounted flap.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
A structure as defined in claim 2, wherein said supplying means further includes at least one compressor stage arranged in the ducting means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
178 words
An aircraft comprising, in combination: a. an airfoil having a surface, said airfoil being provided with passages therethrough arranged in symmetrically spaced portions thereof and substantially parallel to a thrust line, and means including valves arranged in the passages for selectively and inversely directing fluid flow from the passages for imparting a moment to said airfoil; b. means provided on said surface for directing a fluid flow over substantially the entire area thereof and decreasing the pressure thereover for creating lift forces sufficient by themselves to lift the aircraft; c. means for supplying fluid to the directing means, the supplying means iNcluding a propeller and means for ducting fluid from said propeller means to the directing means, said supplying means further including at least one compressor stage arranged in the ducting means; and d. means for selectively and variably providing thrust bidirectionally along a thrust line and the thrust providing means including at least one variable and reversible pitch tip on said propeller arranged for permitting the aircraft to selectively move along the thrust line and to hover.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
178 words
An aircraft comprising, in combination: a. an airfoil having a surface, said airfoil being provided with passages therethrough arranged in symmetrically spaced portions thereof and substantially parallel to a thrust line, and means including valves arranged in the passages for selectively and inversely directing fluid flow from the passages for imparting a moment to said airfoil; b. means provided on said surface for directing a fluid flow over substantially the entire area thereof and decreasing the pressure thereover for creating lift forces sufficient by themselves to lift the aircraft; c. means for supplying fluid to the directing means, the supplying means iNcluding a propeller and means for ducting fluid from said propeller means to the directing means, said supplying means further including at least one compressor stage arranged in the ducting means; and d. means for selectively and variably providing thrust bidirectionally along a thrust line and the thrust providing means including at least one variable and reversible pitch tip on said propeller arranged for permitting the aircraft to selectively move along the thrust line and to hover.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
37 words
A structure as defined in claim 4, further including a fuselage, and wherein there are a pair of airfoils connected to said fuselage, the ducting means being arranged partially in said fuselage and partially in said airfoils.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
134 words
An airfoil comprising, in combination: a. an airfoil surface; and b. means provided on said surface for directing a fluid flow in the direction of a thrust line of the airfoil over substantially the entire area thereof and decreasing the pressure thereover for creating lift forces sufficient by themselves to lift an aircraft, the directing means including at least one opening provided on said surface, and means for varying the size of said opening, the directing means further including means for imparting a moment to the airfoil having a passage arranged passing through the airfoil parallel to a thrust line thereof, and a valve inserted in the passage, whereby at least one opening of the passage is selectively positionable inversely to at least one symmetrically spaced opening for controlling the attitude of the aircraft.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
134 words
An airfoil comprising, in combination: a. an airfoil surface; and b. means provided on said surface for directing a fluid flow in the direction of a thrust line of the airfoil over substantially the entire area thereof and decreasing the pressure thereover for creating lift forces sufficient by themselves to lift an aircraft, the directing means including at least one opening provided on said surface, and means for varying the size of said opening, the directing means further including means for imparting a moment to the airfoil having a passage arranged passing through the airfoil parallel to a thrust line thereof, and a valve inserted in the passage, whereby at least one opening of the passage is selectively positionable inversely to at least one symmetrically spaced opening for controlling the attitude of the aircraft.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
A structure as defined in claim 6, wherein the varying means is a selectively positionable, pivotally mounted flap.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
98 words
An airfoil comprising, in combination: a. an airfoil surface, said airfoil being provided with passages therethrough arranged in symmetrically spaced portions thereof and substantially parallel to a thrust line, and means including valves arranged in the passages for selectively and inversely directing fluid flow from said passages for imparting a moment to said airfoil; and b. means provided on said surface for directing a fluid flow in the direction of a thrust line of the airfoil over substantially the entire area thereof and decreasing the pressure thereover for creating lift forces sufficient by themselves to lift an aircraft.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
98 words
An airfoil comprising, in combination: a. an airfoil surface, said airfoil being provided with passages therethrough arranged in symmetrically spaced portions thereof and substantially parallel to a thrust line, and means including valves arranged in the passages for selectively and inversely directing fluid flow from said passages for imparting a moment to said airfoil; and b. means provided on said surface for directing a fluid flow in the direction of a thrust line of the airfoil over substantially the entire area thereof and decreasing the pressure thereover for creating lift forces sufficient by themselves to lift an aircraft.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
113 words
An aircraft comprising, in combination: a. an airfoil having a surface; b. means provided on said surface for directing a fluid flow over substantially the entire area thereof and decreasing the pressure thereover for creating lift forces sufficient to lift the aircraft; and c. means for supplying fluid to the directing means, the directing means including an opening provided in the airfoil surface, and said surface has a member arranged thereon and formed in the shape of a conventional airfoil, said member arranged spaced from said surface adjacent the opening for permitting a high velocity stream of fluid from said opening to pass over both an upper and a lower airfoil surface thereof.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
113 words
An aircraft comprising, in combination: a. an airfoil having a surface; b. means provided on said surface for directing a fluid flow over substantially the entire area thereof and decreasing the pressure thereover for creating lift forces sufficient to lift the aircraft; and c. means for supplying fluid to the directing means, the directing means including an opening provided in the airfoil surface, and said surface has a member arranged thereon and formed in the shape of a conventional airfoil, said member arranged spaced from said surface adjacent the opening for permitting a high velocity stream of fluid from said opening to pass over both an upper and a lower airfoil surface thereof.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
114 words
An airfoil comprising, in combination: a. an airfoil surface; and b. means provided on said surface for directing a fluid flow in the direction of a thrust line of the airfoil over substantially the entire area thereof and decreasing the pressure thereover for creating lift forces sufficient by themselves to lift an aircraft, the directing means including an opening provided in the airfoil surface, and said surface havin a member arranged thereon and formed in the shape of a conventional airfoil, said member arranged spaced from said surface adjacent the opening for permitting a high velocity stream of fluid from said opening to pass over both an upper and a lower airfoil surface thereof.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
114 words
An airfoil comprising, in combination: a. an airfoil surface; and b. means provided on said surface for directing a fluid flow in the direction of a thrust line of the airfoil over substantially the entire area thereof and decreasing the pressure thereover for creating lift forces sufficient by themselves to lift an aircraft, the directing means including an opening provided in the airfoil surface, and said surface havin a member arranged thereon and formed in the shape of a conventional airfoil, said member arranged spaced from said surface adjacent the opening for permitting a high velocity stream of fluid from said opening to pass over both an upper and a lower airfoil surface thereof.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-10-07 | 1978-04-08 | 1978-10-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-10-07 | 1982-04-08 | 1982-10-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-10-07 | 1986-04-08 | 1986-10-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |