The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.

The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.

Date of Patent:
Oct. 20, 2020

Filed:

May. 20, 2014
Applicant:

The Boeing Company, Chicago, IL (US);

Inventors:

Blaine Knight Rawdon, San Pedro, CA (US);

Aaron J. Kutzmann, Long Beach, CA (US);

Assignee:

The Boeing Company, Chicago, IL (US);

Attorney:
Primary Examiner:
Int. Cl.
CPC ...
B64D 27/24 (2006.01); B64C 23/06 (2006.01); B64C 3/18 (2006.01); B64C 39/10 (2006.01); B64C 39/02 (2006.01);
U.S. Cl.
CPC ...
B64D 27/24 (2013.01); B64C 3/185 (2013.01); B64C 23/069 (2017.05); B64C 39/024 (2013.01); B64C 39/10 (2013.01); B64C 2201/028 (2013.01); B64C 2201/042 (2013.01); B64C 2211/00 (2013.01); B64D 2211/00 (2013.01); Y02T 50/164 (2013.01); Y02T 50/55 (2018.05);
Abstract

A solar powered aircraft including a modular main wing and a pair of relatively large modular winglets attached to the transverse end portions of the main wing. To collect solar radiation, including relatively low-angle radiation, solar panels are mounted to both the main wing and the winglets. In some embodiments, the aspect ratio of the main wing is relatively low, such as between 9 and 15, i.e., the main wing is relatively deep compared to its wing span. In some embodiments, the winglets are relatively long, such as in the range of 0.2 to 0.7 times the length of the main wing semi-span. In some embodiments, a truss-like spar passes through and helps support the wing and the winglets.


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