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:
Apr. 30, 2024
Filed:
Sep. 21, 2021
William Swindt Butterfield, Mountain View, CA (US);
William Swindt Butterfield, Mountain View, CA (US);
Abstract
An electrically-powered VTOL aircraft has a fuselage with a cabin flexibly connected to a powerplane assembly that includes a plurality of electrically-powered rotors and booms. The powerplane assembly can pitch and roll relative to and independently of the cabin, thereby generating efficient fore, aft and lateral thrust while the cabin attitude remains unchanged. This provides a stable passenger experience and enhanced performance and controllability with reduced cost and complexity. In some embodiments, the fuselage is vertically elongated and the powerplane assembly mounts above the fuselage such that a person may walk beneath the rotors completely erect without the fear of being struck by any of the rotors. Using a vertically elongated cabin in conjunction with a relatively high powerplane provides various performance benefits that improve controllability and maneuverability particularly in congested environments, reduce complexity and costs, and enhance passenger safety and experience.