Aircraft with combination stored energy and engine compressor power source for augmentation of lift, stability, control and propulsion

Claim 2

A V/STOL aircraft comprising an airframe, a source of fluid under pressure on said airframe, at least one structural element of said frame forming a fluid storage accumulator for storing fluid under pressure for limited-duration use during landing and take-off at and below unaugmented power-on stall speeds, said source of fluid under pressure deriving said fluid from other than the exhaust gases from the aiRcraft''s fuel combustion, first pilot-controlled valve means for supplying fluid under pressure from said source to said accumulator, second pilot-controlled valve means in the aircraft for supplying fluid under pressure from said accumulator and from said source for limited-duration augmented wing lift on landing and take-off below unaugmented power-on stall speeds by increasing the momentum of the boundary layer, and third pilot-controlled valve means for selectively directing fluid under pressure from said accumulator and from said source through a plurality of openings beneath the airframe portion in closest proximity to the ground for providing air flotation for limited-duration on landing and take-off at and below unaugmented power-on stall speeds, said second pilot-controlled valve means further directing fluid under pressure over surfaces of the aircraft for creating lift and aircraft stability control and for thrust during landing and take-off at and below unaugmented power-on stall speeds whereby the aircraft may perform short take-off and landing and vertical take-off and landing.

Claim 3

An aircraft as described in claim 1, including aircraft engines, compressors driven by said engines, said compressors supplying said fluid under pressure to said accumulator and to said second pilot-controlled valve means and duct means opening through external surfaces of the aircraft connected to the intakes of said compressors drawing fluid from the surfaces of the aircraft for aerodynamic lift and control for short duration during land and take-off at and below unaugmented power-on stall speeds.

Claim 4

An aircraft as described in claim 1, including aircraft engines, said second pilot-controlled valve means removing bleed air from said engines forming a compressed fluid source and duct means connected to said compressed fluid source to said first pilot-controlled valve means and to said third pilot-controlled valve means.

Claim 5

An aircraft as described in claim 1, including wing structures, flaps on said wing structures, and a slot in each of said wing structures opening toward the adjacent one of said flaps, said second pilot-controlled valve means directing said fluid under pressure over said flaps to augment wing lift and to provide control for short duration during landing and take-off at and below unaugmented power-on stall speeds.

Claim 6

An aircraft as described in claim 1, including wing structures, flaps on said wing structures, slots in the upper trailing surfaces of said flaps and pilot-controlled valve means for drawing air through said slots from the upper surfaces of said flaps.

Claim 7

An aircraft as described in claim 1, including wing structures and pilot-controlled valve means for selectively directing said fluid under pressure for short duration during landing and take-off at and below unaugmented power-on stall speeds through selected portions of the wing structures including the leading edges of said wing structures and through the middle line of said wing structures selectively from said accumulator and said first pilot-controlled valve means.

Claim 8

A V/STOL aircraft comprising an airframe, a source of fluid under presssure on said airframe, at least one structural element of said frame forming a fluid storage accumulator for storing fluid under pressure for limited-duration use during landing and take-off at and below unaugmented power-on stall speeds, said source of fluid under pressure deriving said fluid from other than the exhaust gases from the aircraft''s fuel combustion, first pilot-controlled valve means for supplying fluid under pressure from said source to said accumulator, second pilot-controlled valve means in the aircraft for supplying fluid under pressure from said accumulator and from said source for limited-duration augmented wing lift on landing and take-off at and below unaugmented power-on stall speeds, and third pilot-controlled valve means for selectively directing fluid under pressure from said source through a plurality of openings benEath the airframe portion in closest proximity to the ground for limited-duration air flotation during landing and take-off at and below unaugmented power-on stall speeds, said second pilot-controlled valve means further directing fluid under suction and pressure to enhance the momentum of flow of the boundary layer over the surface of the airframe for decreasing drag, creating lift and stability and control and thrust during landing and take-off at and below unaugmented power-on stall speeds whereby the aircraft may perform shorter take-off and landing and vertical take-off and landing.

Claim 9

A V/STOL aircraft comprising an airframe, a source of fluid under presssure on said airframe, at least one structural element of said frame forming a fluid storage accumulator for storing fluid under pressure for limited-duration use during landing and take-off at and below unaugmented power-on stall speeds, said source of fluid under pressure deriving said fluid from other than the exhaust gases from the aircraft''s fuel combustion, first pilot-controlled valve means for supplying fluid under pressure from said source to said accumulator, second pilot-controlled valve means in the aircraft for supplying fluid under pressure from said accumulator and from said source for limited-duration augmented wing lift on landing and take-off at and below unaugmented power-on stall speeds, and third pilot-controlled valve means for selectively directing fluid under pressure from said source through a plurality of openings benEath the airframe portion in closest proximity to the ground for limited-duration air flotation during landing and take-off at and below unaugmented power-on stall speeds, said second pilot-controlled valve means further directing fluid under suction and pressure to enhance the momentum of flow of the boundary layer over the surface of the airframe for decreasing drag, creating lift and stability and control and thrust during landing and take-off at and below unaugmented power-on stall speeds whereby the aircraft may perform shorter take-off and landing and vertical take-off and landing.

Claim 10

A V/STOL aircraft having a fuselage, stub wing components attached on a level with the bottom of the fuselage, propulsion engines mounted on said wings, fluid storage accumulators as a part of said wings, pilot-controlled valve means for inflating said accumulators with non-exhaust bleed air from the engines and for storing accumulator air therein for limited-duration use during landing and take-off at and below unaugmented power-on stall speeds, jets opening through the bottom of the fuselage and through the bottom of said wing components in closest proximity to the ground for limited-duration air flotation on landing and take-off at and below unaugmented power-on stall speeds, pilot-controlled valve means for directing non-exhaust bleed air under pressure from the engines through said jets, pilot-controlled valve means for directing accumulator air under pressure from said accumulators through said jets, flaps extending along the trailing edges of said wing components, slots in the trailing edges of said wing components opening toward said flaps, pilot-controlled valve means for directing non-exhaust bleed air under pressure for limited duration on landing and take-off at and below unaugmented power-on stall speeds from the engines and accumulator air under pressure into said slots and over said flaps and pilot-controlled valve means for selectively supplying air under pressure for limited-duration on landing and take-off at and below unaugmented power-on stall speeds from said accumulators and from the engines to portions of the wing components including the leading edges of the wing components and to the middle line of the wing components.

Claim 11

A V/STOL aircraft having a fuselage, stub wing components attached on a level with the bottom of the fuselage, propulsion engines mounted on said wings, fluid storage accumulators as a part of said wings, pilot-controlled valve means for inflating said accumulators with non-exhaust bleed air from the engines and for storing accumulator air therein for limited-duration use during landing and take-off at and below unaugmented power-on stall speeds, jets opening through the bottom of the fuselage and through the bottom of said wing components in closest proximity to the ground for limited-duration air flotation on landing and take-off at and below unaugmented power-on stall speeds, pilot-controlled valve means for directing non-exhaust bleed air under pressure from the engines through said jets, pilot-controlled valve means for directing accumulator air under pressure from said accumulators through said jets, flaps extending along the trailing edges of said wing components, slots in the trailing edges of said wing components opening toward said flaps, pilot-controlled valve means for directing non-exhaust bleed air under pressure for limited duration on landing and take-off at and below unaugmented power-on stall speeds from the engines and accumulator air under pressure into said slots and over said flaps and pilot-controlled valve means for selectively supplying air under pressure for limited-duration on landing and take-off at and below unaugmented power-on stall speeds from said accumulators and from the engines to portions of the wing components including the leading edges of the wing components and to the middle line of the wing components.

Claim 12

An aircraft as described in claim 8 including pilot-controlled valve means for drawing air from the upper trailing surfaces of said flaps to the engines for short duration on landing and take-off at and below unaugmented power-on stall speeds.

Claim 13

An aircraft as described in claim 8, said accumulators comprising inflatable flexible airtight cells forming an integral part of the aircraft construction.

Claim 14

A V/STOL aircraft having a fuselage, horizontal wing components attached on a level with the bottom of the fuselage, dihedral wing components attached to said horizontal wing components, propulsion engines mounted on said horizontal wing components and compressors for said engines prior to the combustion stage of each engine, fluid storage accumulators in said dihedral wing, component pilot-controlled valve means for inflating said accumulators with bleed air from the compressors and for storing accumulator air therein under pressure for limited-duration use during landing and take-off at and below unaugmented power-on stall speeds, jets opening through the bottom of the fuselage and through the bottom of said horizontal wing components in closest proximity to the ground for limited-duration air flotation during landing and take-off at or below unaugmented power-on stall speeds, pilot-controlled valve means for directing bleed air under pressure from the compressors through said jets, pilot-controlled valve means for directing accumulator air under pressure from said accumulators through said jets, flaps extending along the trailing edges of said dihedral wing components, slots in the trailing edges of said dihedral wing components opening toward said flaps, pilot-controlled valve means for directing compressor bleed air under pressurE and accumulator air under pressure into said slots and over said flaps for limited duration during landing and take-off at and below unaugmented power-on stall speeds and pilot-controlled valve means for selectively supplying air under pressure from said accumulators and from said compressors to selected portions of the wing components for limited duration on landing and take-off at and below unaugmented power-on stall speeds including the leading edges of the wing components and to the middle line of the wing components.

Claim 15

A V/STOL aircraft having a fuselage, horizontal wing components attached on a level with the bottom of the fuselage, dihedral wing components attached to said horizontal wing components, propulsion engines mounted on said horizontal wing components and compressors for said engines prior to the combustion stage of each engine, fluid storage accumulators in said dihedral wing, component pilot-controlled valve means for inflating said accumulators with bleed air from the compressors and for storing accumulator air therein under pressure for limited-duration use during landing and take-off at and below unaugmented power-on stall speeds, jets opening through the bottom of the fuselage and through the bottom of said horizontal wing components in closest proximity to the ground for limited-duration air flotation during landing and take-off at or below unaugmented power-on stall speeds, pilot-controlled valve means for directing bleed air under pressure from the compressors through said jets, pilot-controlled valve means for directing accumulator air under pressure from said accumulators through said jets, flaps extending along the trailing edges of said dihedral wing components, slots in the trailing edges of said dihedral wing components opening toward said flaps, pilot-controlled valve means for directing compressor bleed air under pressurE and accumulator air under pressure into said slots and over said flaps for limited duration during landing and take-off at and below unaugmented power-on stall speeds and pilot-controlled valve means for selectively supplying air under pressure from said accumulators and from said compressors to selected portions of the wing components for limited duration on landing and take-off at and below unaugmented power-on stall speeds including the leading edges of the wing components and to the middle line of the wing components.

Claim 16

An aircraft as described in claim 11, including pilot-controlled valve means for drawing air from the upper surfaces of said flaps to the compressors for short duration during landing and take-off at and below unaugmented power-on stall speeds.

Claim 17

An aircraft as described in claim 11, said accumulators comprising inflatable flexible airtight cells forming an integral part of the aircraft construction.

Claim 18

A V/STOL aircraft comprising an airframe, a source of fluid under pressure on said airframe, at least one structural element of said frame forming a fluid storage accumulator for storing fluid under pressure for limited duration use during landing and take-off at and below unaugmented power-on stall speeds, said source of fluid under pressure deriving said fluid from other than the exhaust gases from the aircraft''s fuel combustion, first pilot-controlled valve means for supplying fluid under pressure from said source to said accumulator, second pilot-controlled valve means in the aircraft for supplying fluid under pressure from said accumulator and from said source for augmented wing lift for limited duration during landing and take-off at and below unaugmented power-on stall speeds by increasing the momentum of the boundary layer, said second pilot-controlled valve means directing fluid under pressure over surfaces of the aircraft for creating lift and aircraft stability control and for thrust for limited duration during landing and take-off at and below unaugmented power-on stall speeds whereby the aircraft may perform short take-off and landing.

Claim 19

A V/STOL aircraft comprising an airframe, a source of fluid under pressure on said airframe, at least one structural element of said frame forming a fluid storage accumulator for storing fluid under pressure for limited duration use during landing and take-off at and below unaugmented power-on stall speeds, said source of fluid under pressure deriving said fluid from other than the exhaust gases from the aircraft''s fuel combustion, first pilot-controlled valve means for supplying fluid under pressure from said source to said accumulator, second pilot-controlled valve means in the aircraft for supplying fluid under pressure from said accumulator and from said source for augmented wing lift for limited duration during landing and take-off at and below unaugmented power-on stall speeds by increasing the momentum of the boundary layer, said second pilot-controlled valve means directing fluid under pressure over surfaces of the aircraft for creating lift and aircraft stability control and for thrust for limited duration during landing and take-off at and below unaugmented power-on stall speeds whereby the aircraft may perform short take-off and landing.

Claim 20

A V/STOL aircraft comprising an airframe, a source of fluid under pressure on said airframe, at least one structural element of said frame forming a fluid storage accumulator for storing fluid under pressure for limited duration use during landing and take-off at and below unaugmented power-on stall speeds, said source of fluid under pressure deriving said fluid from other than the exhaust gases from the aircraft''s fuel combustion, first pilot-controlled valve means for supplying fluid under pressure from said source to said accumulator, second pilot-controlled valve means in the aircraft for supplying fluid under pressure from said accumulator and from said source for augmented wing lift for limited duration during landing and take-off at and below unaugmented power-on stall speeds by increasing the momentum of the boundary layer, said second pilot-controlled valve means directing fluid under pressure over surfaces of the aircraft for creating lift and aircraft stability control and for thrust for limited duration during landing and take-off at and below unaugmented power-on stall speeds whereby the aircraft may perform short take-off and landing.

Claim 21

A V/STOL aircraft comprising an airframe, a source of fluid under pressure on said airframe, at least one structural element of said frame forming a fluid storage accumulator for storing fluid under pressure for limited duration use during landing and take-off at and below unaugmented power-on stall speeds, said source of fluid under pressure deriving said fluid from other than the exhaust gases from the aircraft''s fuel combustion, first pilot-controlled valve means for supplying fluid under pressure from said source to said accumulator, second pilot-controlled valve means in the aircraft for supplying fluid under pressure from said accumulator and from said source for augmented wing lift for limited duration during landing and take-off at and below unaugmented power-on stall speeds by increasing the momentum of the boundary layer, said second pilot-controlled valve means directing fluid under pressure over surfaces of the aircraft for creating lift and aircraft stability control and for thrust for limited duration during landing and take-off at and below unaugmented power-on stall speeds whereby the aircraft may perform short take-off and landing.

Claim 22

An aircraft as described in claim 14, including aircraft engines, compressors driven by said engines, said compressors supplying said fluid under pressure to said accumulator and to said second pilot-controlled valve means and duct means opening through external surfaces of the aircraft connected to the intakes of said compressors drawing fluid from the surfaces of the aircraft for aerodynamic lift and control for short duration during landing and take-off at and below unaugmented power-on stall speeds.

Claim 23

An aircraft as described in claim 14, including aircraft engines, said second pilot-controlled valve means removing bleed air from said engines forming a compressed fluid source and duct means connected to said compressed fluid source to said first pilot-controlled valve means and to said second pilot-controlled valve means.

Claim 24

An aircraft as described in claim 14, including wing structures, flaps on said wing structures, and a slot in each of said wing structures opening toward the adjacent one of said flaps, said second pilot-controlled valve means directing said fluid under pressure for short duration during landing and take-off at and below unaugmented power-on stall speeds over said flaps to augment wing lift and to provide control.

Claim 25

An aircraft as described in claim 14, including wing structures, flaps on said wing structures, slots in the upper trailing surfaces of said flaps and pilot-controlled valve means for drawing air for short duration on landing and take-off at and below unaugmented power-on stall speeds through said slots from the upper surfaces of said flaps.