John W Rutherford

Title: John W. Rutherford and His Rotorcraft Innovations.

Introduction

John W. Rutherford is an inventor associated with Scottsdale, Arizona. His work includes aircraft concepts that combine fixed-wing and rotary-wing flight, with an emphasis on wing configuration and transitions between flight modes. He is credited with 3 patents.

Latest Patents

Rutherford’s patent, “Apparatus for Operating a Wing in Three Modes and System of Use,” describes a rotatable wing that can be positioned in two orientations or operated in a rotating mode. The first orientation places the wing generally parallel to the aircraft’s fuselage for compact stowage, while the second positions it generally perpendicular to the fuselage for fixed-wing flight. In rotating mode, the wing supports rotary-wing flight. The design also describes starting the wing’s rotation through autogyro operation, after which it can continue rotating without applied torque.

Another patent, “Canard Rotor/Wing,” presents a dual-mode rotorcraft intended to combine helicopter-like low-speed and hovering capability with the speed of a fixed-wing aircraft. Its rotor provides propulsion at low speeds and can be stopped and locked to serve as a fixed wing during high-speed flight. A canard and high-lift tail provide lift during the transition between flight modes, allowing the rotor to be unloaded while it starts or stops.

Career Highlights

Rutherford’s listed professional experience includes McDonnell Douglas Helicopter Company. The aircraft concepts described in his patents address practical challenges in stowing wings, changing flight configurations, and transitioning between rotary-wing and fixed-wing operation.

Collaborations

Rutherford’s listed coworkers include Matthew O’Rourke and James K. Wechsler.

Conclusion

John W. Rutherford’s patent work explores aircraft designs that bring together the flexibility of rotary-wing flight and the speed and efficiency of fixed-wing flight.