Aircraft

Abstract

An aircraft includes a short-range radar that is configured to detect a trajectory, which is specified based on a position detection of the aircraft by a ground station.

Claims

1. An aircraft comprising: a short-range radar device that detects a landing trajectory for the aircraft, which is specified on the basis of a position detection of the aircraft by a ground station; and detection software of the short-range radar device that interprets symbols transmitted by the ground station, said symbols representing a direction of movement and speed for landing the aircraft, wherein the landing trajectory for the aircraft is determined based upon the symbols interpreted by the detection software.

2. The aircraft as claimed in claim 1, wherein the short-range radar device is configured to read the symbols from a ferroelectric liquid display, and the trajectory is specified by the ferroelectric liquid display.

3. The aircraft as claimed in claim 1, wherein the aircraft comprises an all-electric drive.

4. The aircraft as claimed in claim 1, wherein the aircraft comprises either bent or bendable wings.

5. The aircraft as claimed in claim 1, wherein the aircraft includes a fast-charging battery system.

6. The aircraft as claimed in claim 1, wherein the aircraft further comprises autopilot software that is configured to determine the landing trajectory for the aircraft based upon the symbols interpreted by the detection software, and guide the aircraft along the landing trajectory.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

(1) An exemplary embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the drawing and will be described in greater detail in the following.

(2) FIG. 1a is a schematic view depicting an aircraft and a ground display.

(3) FIG. 1b shows a ferroelectric liquid display.

(4) FIG. 2 depicts an isometric view of an aircraft, wherein the wings are shown in an extended configuration and the rear propellers are shown in an angled orientation.

(5) FIG. 3 depicts a front elevation view of the aircraft of FIG. 2, wherein the wings are shown extended configuration and the rear propellers are shown in a cruising orientation.

(6) FIG. 4 depicts another front elevation view of the aircraft, wherein the wings are shown in a folded configuration and the rear propellers are shown in a take-off/landing orientation.

(7) FIG. 5 depicts a top plan view of a portion of an aircraft, showing an internal duct extending between a nose of the aircraft and a horizontal fan mounted to the wing.

(8) FIG. 6 depicts moveable louvers applied on top of the horizontal fan of FIG. 5, wherein the louvers are shown in a closed position.

(9) FIG. 7 depicts the movable louvers of FIG. 6, wherein the louvers are shown in an open position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(10) FIGS. 1a and 1b illustrate the constructive features of a preferred embodiment of the aircraft of the invention. The system in the aircraft (10) comprises a ground-oriented short-range radar (11) and a simple detection software that interprets predefined symbols and signs, which, in turn, are read on the basis of the reflection of the radio waves from a ferroelectric liquid display (15). Further details of the aircraft (10) are disclosed in U.S. application Ser. No. 16/502,315, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety and for all purposes.

(11) The ground station (14) in turn comprises a system for position detection (13), the combination of sensors of which allows an accurate reading of the position of the aircraft (10) relative to the ground station (14), the liquid display (15) used for guidance on the ground and appropriate control.

(12) The ground station (14) position detection system (13) detects the relative position of the aircraft (10) in relation to the ground station (14) with a high level of accuracy. Such s a positioning system can be a combination of different sensors (camera, radar, lidar, etc.) that may be arranged differently to improve the accuracy of position detection (13). This sensor module does not have to be light or energy-saving and can therefore be manufactured in a cost-effective manner.

(13) The control of the ground station (14) stores a predefined trajectory (12) for the approach. By comparing this trajectory (12) and the current position of the aircraft (10), the controller calculates the required movements of the aircraft (10) and their speeds to follow the trajectory (12). The respective direction of movement and its speed are shown on the liquid display (15) by corresponding directional arrows and numbers. The short-range radar (11) reads the said signs and numbers and transmits them to the autopilot, which correspondingly reacts.

(14) FIGS. 2-4 depict an aircraft 100. The aircraft 100 shown in those figures may appear different from the previously described aircraft, however, many (if not all) of the details of the previously described aircraft also apply to aircraft 100.

(15) The aircraft 100 includes foldable wings 102. The wings 102 are shown in a folded configuration in FIG. 4 and an extended configuration in FIG. 3. A motor or solenoid is configured to move the wings between those configurations. Alternatively, the wings 102 may be permanently maintained in a folded (i.e., bent) position.

(16) Rear propellers 104 are mounted on the trailing edge of the airfoils or wings 102 (i.e., the edge furthest from the nose 105). Propellers 104 may be referred to as cruising propellers because they are used during the cruising operation of the aircraft (at least in one position of the propellers 104). The propellers 104 are configured to pivot between two different positions, as shown in FIGS. 2-4. In the vertical position of the propellers 104 shown in FIG. 3, the propellers 104 generate maximum horizontal thrust for cruising operation of the aircraft (i.e., while the aircraft is flying through the air). In the horizontal position of the propellers 104 shown in FIG. 4, the propellers 104 generate maximum vertical thrust for take-off and landing operations of the aircraft. A motor or solenoid is configured to move the propellers 104 between those two positions.

(17) Alternatively, the propellers 104 may be immovable and fixed in a vertical position, as shown in FIG. 2.

(18) Horizontally mounted propellers 106 are fixedly mounted and integrated into the wings 102. Unlike the propellers 104, the position of the propellers 106 is fixed, however, those skilled in the art will recognize that the propellers 106 could be modified so that they are pivotable between vertical and horizontal positions. The propellers 106 generate maximum vertical thrust for take-off and landing operations of the aircraft. The propellers 106 may also be referred to herein as lifting propellers.

(19) The propellers 104 and 106, which may also be referred to herein as fans, may be operated by a fully-electric drive. To that end, a battery charging system 108 including a charger, an inverter and a fast-charging battery are positioned within the fuselage of the aircraft for powering the propellers 104 and 106. The fuselage may also be configured to carry one or more passengers.

(20) FIGS. 5-7 depict views of an aircraft 200. The aircraft 200 shown in those figures may appear different from the previously described aircraft 100, however, most (if not all) of the details of the previously described aircraft 100 also apply to aircraft 200. Only a segment of the aircraft 200 is shown in FIG. 5. An air duct 210 extends between an opening 212 formed on the nose 214 of the aircraft 200 and the horizontally mounted propeller 206 that is fixedly mounted to the wing 202. In operation, air is delivered to the propeller 206 via the duct 210, as depicts by the arrows. Although not shown, air ducts that are similar to duct 210, may extend to the propeller 206 on the opposite wing 202, as well as any rear propellers 104 (not shown in these views). Accordingly, the propellers may be referred to as either “ducted propellers” or “ducted fans.”

(21) FIGS. 6 and 7 depict louvers 216 that are configured to selectively cover the horizontally mounted propellers 206. It is noted that the louvers 216 are omitted from FIG. 5 for clarity purposes. Each louver 216 is rotatable about a shaft (or otherwise moveable) between a closed position (FIG. 6) and an open position (FIG. 7). The louvers 216, which are flush with the top face of the wing 202, may be moved to the closed position during the cruising operation of the aircraft 200 for aerodynamic purposes. The louvers 216 may be moved to an open position at any time during operation of the propellers 206 to permit the exit or entrance of air therethrough. A motor or solenoid is configured to move the louvers 216 between those positions. It is noted that the louvers are shown in a closed position in FIG. 2.

(22) A sealing ring 218 surrounds the louvers 216 and is moveable between a retracted position (FIG. 6) and a deployed position (FIG. 7). The louvers 216 are mounted to the sealing ring 218 and move therewith between the retracted and deployed positions. The lower surface of the sealing ring 218 is configured to be in sealing relationship with an opening 220 formed in the wing 202. It should be understood that the opening 220 accommodates the body of the propeller 206. The sealing ring 218 may be moved to the retracted position, which is flush with the top face of the wing 202, during cruising operation of the aircraft 200 for aerodynamic purposes. Alternatively, the sealing ring 218 may be moved to the deployed (i.e., extended) position at any time during operation of the propellers 206 to permit the exit or entrance of air, as depicted by the arrows in FIG. 7. A motor or solenoid is configured to move the sealing ring 218 between those positions.