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:
Jan. 19, 1999
Filed:
Jul. 10, 1996
Barnaby Sam Wainfan, Long Beach, CA (US);
Douglas E Shultz, Brea, CA (US);
Jeffry Scott Philhower, Westminster, CA (US);
Northrup Grumman Corporation, Los Angeles, CA (US);
Abstract
A ram wing vehicle comprises a main structure extending between a nose end and a tail end, including an aerodynamic lifting body having an aspect ratio less than approximately 1.0 and extending between a leading edge and a trailing edge. The ratio of the thickness of the lifting body intermediate the leading edge and the trailing edge to the length of the chord thereof is greater than approximately 1:8. A propulsion source is provided adjacent the nose end for generating an efflux and for directing the efflux beyond the tail end in a direction away from the nose end. A directional control mechanism is positioned adjacent the nose end for turning the vehicle about the yaw axis into a curve having a center and so vectoring the efflux from the propulsion source as to direct the efflux to the outside of the turn and the nose end toward the center of the curve. The directional control mechanism includes a yaw control mechanism for vectoring the efflux from the propulsion means about the yaw axis and a pitch control mechanism for vectoring the efflux from the propulsion means about the pitch axis of the main structure. The vehicle has significant cargo carrying capacity and is capable of operating either in ground effect, over terrain, or on water.