Vertical takeoff and landing aeronautical apparatus with a folding wing

Abstract

An electric VTOL aeronautical apparatus is disclosed that has folding wings each having an inboard wing portion coupled to an outboard portion via a hinge. Folding wings are known to be used during flight, although using a motor to fold and unfold the wings. In the present disclosure, the motor with its concomitant weight and complication is obviated or reduced by employing the force generated by deploying a control surface in a moving airstream. By controlling this deployment, aero forces on the desired wing portion can be controlled and used to obviate the need for a motorized actuator. Lift generated by the wing and control surface are used to unfold the folding portion of wing, reconfiguring it for forward flight. When the aeronautical apparatus transitions to vertical flight, gravity pulls the wings downward into the folded position.