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. 27, 2009
Filed:
Sep. 27, 2001
Wayne Elmo Vicknair, Austin, TX (US);
Stewart E. Nickolas, Austin, TX (US);
Wayne Elmo Vicknair, Austin, TX (US);
Stewart E. Nickolas, Austin, TX (US);
International Business Machines Corporation, Armonk, NY (US);
Abstract
A circular VTOL aircraft with a central vertically mounted turboprop engine, driving contra-rotating co-axial propellers, above a central jet engine (or engines), horizontally mounted on a turntable podwhich is steerable through 360 degrees. The turboprop provides vertical thrust from contra-rotating propellers compressing air from an upper circular intakedownward through a circular shaped rotor-chamberto a circular ventat the base of the craft. The resulting column of compressed air supports the craft during take-off and landing operations and provides a cushion of air in normal flight. The horizontally mounted jet turbine provides main thrust for horizontal flight and vectored thrust for VTOL. The passenger cabinis circular and is situated in the main body of the disc-shaped craft. Fuel tanks are situated around the circumference of the craft to maximise fuel capacity. The flight-deckis situated at the top centre of the craft, above the engine unit, which is detachable.