Textron Innovations Inc.

Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.

Andrew James Zahasky

Carlos Alexander Fenny

Rohn Lee Olson

Levi Bilbrey

George Ryan Decker

William Anthony Amante

Joshua Allan Edler

Joseph Scott Drennan

Doug Fidler

Rares Halmagean

Sarah Hoover

An aircraft comprises a fuselage, first and second wing segments each having a leading edge and a trailing edge, a plurality of spokes coupling the fuselage to the first and second wing segments, one or more motors disposed within or attached to the plurality of spokes, and three or more propellers proximate to a leading edge of the plurality of spokes, distributed along the plurality of spokes, and operably connected to the motors to provide lift whenever the aircraft is in vertical takeoff and landing and stationary flight and provide thrust whenever the aircraft is in forward flight. When the aircraft is in vertical takeoff and landing and stationary flight, the fuselage is approximately vertical. When the aircraft is in forward flight, the fuselage is approximately in the direction of the forward flight and extends forward beyond the leading edges of the first wing segment and the second wing segment.

Distributed propulsion system for vertical take off and landing closed wing aircraft

An aircraft includes a closed wing, a fuselage at least partially disposed within a perimeter of the closed wing, and one or more spokes coupling the closed wing to the fuselage. A source of electric power is disposed within or attached to the closed wing, fuselage or one or more spokes. A plurality of electric motors are disposed within or attached to the one or more spokes in a distributed configuration. Each electric motor is connected to the source of electric power. A propeller is operably connected to each of the electric motors and proximate to a leading edge of the one or more spokes. One or more processors are communicably coupled to the plurality of electric motors. A longitudinal axis of the fuselage is substantially vertical in vertical takeoff and landing and stationary flight, and substantially in a direction of a forward flight in a forward flight mode.

Vertical take off and landing closed wing aircraft

An aircraft capable of vertical takeoff and landing, stationary flight and forward flight, includes a closed wing that provides lift whenever the aircraft is in forward flight, a fuselage at least partially disposed within a perimeter of the closed wing, and one or more spokes coupling the closed wing to the fuselage. One or more motors are disposed within or attached to the spokes. Three or more propellers are proximate to a leading edge of the one or more spokes, distributed along the one or more spokes, and operably connected to the one or more motors to provide lift whenever the aircraft is in vertical takeoff and landing and stationary flight and provide thrust whenever the aircraft is in forward flight.

The present invention achieves technical advantages as a pilot and passenger seating. An aircraft employs a pilot seat, comprising a contoured structure having ergonomically formed and padded surfaces, with left and right arm supports that include an articulated control knob, movable in three rectangular axes and rotatable about a vertical axis to provide one or more aircraft steering functions for an aircraft, and a touch-sensitive control surface for controlling one or more power system components. A passenger seat, having a contoured structure, having ergonomically formed and padded surfaces, a headrest, a seat, a left support member, and a right support member are adapted to cradle a portion of a passenger's body to support the passenger during travel.

Pilot and passenger seat

The present invention achieves technical advantages as a vehicle cabin, comprising a floor system formed of removable and reconfigurable floor segments extending from a vehicle frame, and a ceiling system formed of removable and reconfigurable ceiling segments disposed in the ceiling of the vehicle cabin. Floor segments that can be positioned to form a floor channel, therebetween. A fixture interface adapted to releasably secure a fixture to the floor system. The fixture can be slidably repositioned within the vehicle along the floor channel. One of the ceiling segments includes one or more of a lighting module, a ventilation outlet, a ventilation inlet, a display screen, or a touch control panel. The ceiling segments can be hexagonal.

Hexagonal floor and ceiling system for a vehicle

An aircraft capable of vertical takeoff and landing, stationary flight and forward flight includes a closed wing that provides lift whenever the aircraft is in forward flight, a fuselage at least partially disposed within a perimeter of the closed wing, and one or more spokes coupling the closed wing to the fuselage. One or more engines or motors are disposed within or attached to the closed wing, fuselage or spokes. Three or more propellers are proximate to a leading edge of the closed wing or the one or more spokes, distributed along the closed wing or the one or more spokes, and operably connected to the one or more engines or motors. The propellers provide lift whenever the aircraft is in vertical takeoff and landing and stationary flight, and provide thrust whenever the aircraft is in forward flight.

An aircraft includes a closed wing, a fuselage at least partially disposed within a perimeter of the closed wing, and one or more spokes coupling the closed wing to the fuselage. A plurality of hydraulic or electric motors are disposed within or attached to the closed wing, fuselage or spokes in a distributed configuration. A propeller is proximate to a leading edge of the closed wing or spokes and operably connected to each hydraulic or electric motor. A source of hydraulic or electric power is disposed within or attached to the closed wing, fuselage or spokes and coupled to each hydraulic or electric motor disposed within or attached to the closed wing, fuselage or spokes. A controller is coupled to each hydraulic or electric motor, and one or more processors communicably coupled to each controller that control an operation and speed of the plurality of hydraulic or electric motors.

An aircraft capable of vertical takeoff and landing and stationary flight includes a distributed airframe coupled to a modular fuselage. The modular fuselage has a longitudinal axis substantially parallel to a rotational axis of three or more propellers. The modular fuselage includes a rear module substantially disposed within a perimeter of the distributed airframe, a front module removably connected to the rear module and substantially aligned with the longitudinal axis. One or more engines or motors are disposed within or attached to the distributed airframe or fuselage. The three or more propellers are proximate to a leading edge of the distributed airframe, distributed along the distributed airframe, and operably connected to the one or more engines or motors to provide lift whenever the aircraft is in vertical takeoff and landing and stationary flight.

Modular fuselage sections for vertical take off and landing distributed airframe aircraft

A rotor blade rotation system includes two or more rotor blades, each rotor blade in mechanical communication with a hub and pivotable about an axis of rotation, a bearing plate comprising a rotating portion and a non-rotating portion, a fold linkage coupled to the rotating portion of the bearing plate and in mechanical communication with the rotor blade, and an actuator coupled to the non-rotating portion of the bearing plate and operable to reposition the bearing plate from a first position to a second position such that the folding links pivot the rotor blades from a deployed position to a forward folded position.

Growing community of inventors

North Richland Hills, TX, United States of America

Andrew James Zahasky