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.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Feb. 23, 2021
Filed:
Jan. 11, 2017
Aurora Flight Sciences Corporation, Manassas, VA (US);
Francesco Giannini, Manassas, VA (US);
Martin Gomez, Fairfax, VA (US);
Daniel Cottrell, Manassas, VA (US);
Jean-Charles Lede, Oakton, VA (US);
Thomas Roberts, Bristow, VA (US);
Carl G. Schaefer, Jr., Woodbridge, VA (US);
Dorian Colas, Seattle, WA (US);
Brian Whipple, Manassas, VA (US);
Timothy Nuhfer, Sterling, VA (US);
Herbert E. Hunter, Herndon, VA (US);
Jonathan Grohs, Manassas, VA (US);
Steve Petullo, Bristow, VA (US);
Aurora Flight Sciences Corporation, Manassas, VA (US);
Abstract
A hybrid propulsion aircraft is described having a distributed electric propulsion system. The distributed electric propulsion system includes a turbo shaft engine that drives one or more generators through a gearbox. The generator provides AC power to a plurality of ducted fans (each being driven by an electric motor). The ducted fans may be integrated with the hybrid propulsion aircraft's wings. The wings can be pivotally attached to the fuselage, thereby allowing for vertical take-off and landing. The design of the hybrid propulsion aircraft mitigates undesirable transient behavior traditionally encountered during a transition from vertical flight to horizontal flight. Moreover, the hybrid propulsion aircraft offers a fast, constant-altitude transition, without requiring a climb or dive to transition. It also offers increased efficiency in both hover and forward flight versus other VTOL aircraft and a higher forward max speed than traditional rotorcraft.