AN AIR VEHICLE

Abstract

The invention relates to a body (2); a canopy (3) disposed on the body (2) so as to be able to move relatively to the body (2), enabling access and providing protection to the cockpit; more than one hook (4) located on the canopy (3); more than one pin (5) located on the body (2), enabling the canopy (3) to be fixed to the body (2) by engaging to the hook (4); an open position (A) enabling access to the cockpit so as to leave a gap between the canopy (3) and the body (2); a closed position (K) in which the canopy contacts the body (2) so that there is almost no gap left between the body (2) and the canopy (3); and a locked position (L) in which the canopy (3) is fixed to the body (2) by locking the pin (5) to the hook (4).

Claims

1-14. (canceled)

15. An air vehicle (1) comprising; a body (2); a canopy (3) disposed on the body (2) so as to be able to move relatively to the body (2), enabling access and providing protection to the cockpit; more than one hook (4) provided on the canopy (3); more than one pin (5) provided on the body (2), enabling the canopy (3) to be fixed to the body (2) by engaging to the hook (4); an open position (A) enabling access to the cockpit so as to leave a gap between the canopy (3) and the body (2); a closed position (K) in which the canopy contacts the body (2) so that there is almost no gap left between the body (2) and the canopy (3); a locked position (L) in which the canopy (3) is fixed to the body (2) by locking the pin (5) to the hook (4); at least one canopy mechanism (6) that enables the canopy (3) to switch from the closed position (K) to the open position (A) or from the open position (A) to the closed position (K); a J-shaped transmission element (7) located between the canopy (3) and the canopy mechanism (6) so as to extend outward from the canopy (3), thereby transferring the movement it receives from the canopy mechanism (6) to the canopy (3); more than one rolling element (10) disposed on the canopy mechanism (6) so as to be in contact with the transmission element (7); a recess (11) provided on the transmission element (7), having a form that is compatible with the rolling element (10), wherein the at least one canopy mechanism (6) enables the canopy (3) to switch from the closed position (K) to the open position (A) or from the open position (A) to the closed position (K) by performing a rotational motion when the rolling element (10) and the recess (11) contact each other and enables the canopy (3) in the closed position (K) to be brought to the locked position (L) by performing a sliding motion on the body (2); an inclined surface (12) provided on the transmission element (7), enabling the transmission element (7) to be positioned between two rolling elements (101, 102), wherein the at least one rolling element (10) comprises two rolling elements (101, 102) so as to contact the recess (11) by moving on the rolling element (10); and a curved surface (13) enabling the transmission element (7) to perform a rotational motion between the two rolling elements (101, 102).

16. The air vehicle (1) as claimed in claim 15, comprising at least one actuator (8) providing power required to actuating the transmission element (7) and/or the canopy mechanism (6) according to commands received from a user.

17. The air vehicle (1) as claimed in claim 16, comprising a first canopy mechanism (601) placed in connection with the actuator (8) and the transmission element (7) to transfer the actuator's (8) movement to the transmission element (7), and a second canopy mechanism (602) that enables the canopy (3) to switch between rotational and/or sliding motions, the transmission element (7) being provided so as to be connected with one end thereof to the first canopy mechanism (601) and with the other thereof to the second canopy mechanism (602).

18. The air vehicle (1) as claimed in claim 15, comprising at least one limiter (9) disposed between the second canopy mechanism (602) and the transmission element (7), said limiter almost completely preventing the canopy (3) from moving by applying force onto the second canopy mechanism (602) while the canopy is in the closed position (K), thereby allowing the canopy (3) in the closed position (3) to perform a rotational motion by limiting its sliding motion.

19. The air vehicle (l) as claimed in claim 15, comprising a mount (14) with an inclined form on the hook (4), enabling the canopy (3) in the locked position (L) to perform a sliding motion by limiting its rotational motion while the canopy (3) is brought to the closed position (K), thereby enabling the canopy (3) to be brought from the locked position (L) to the closed position (K).

20. The air vehicle (1) as claimed in claim 15, comprising at least one tail hook (15) that is positioned so as to contact the body (2) when the canopy (3) is in the locked position (L), enabling the canopy (3) to be removed from the body (2) toward the tail part of the air vehicle (1) by performing a rotational motion in the event of an emergency ejection.

21. The air vehicle (1) as claimed in claim 15, wherein in the event of an emergency ejection, the canopy (3) is configured to move away from the body (2) by opening in the opposite direction to the direction it moves while being from the closed position (K) to the open position (A).

22. The air vehicle (1) as claimed in claim 15, comprising at least one beam (16) located on the canopy (3) so as to extend lengthwise thereon, said beam having hooks (4) on itself that provide the connection of the canopy (3) to the body (2), wherein the beam remains on the body (2) when the canopy (3) is removed from the body (2) in the event of an emergency ejection, thereby facilitating the removal of the canopy (3) from the body (2) as a result decreasing the weight of the canopy.

23. The air vehicle (1) as claimed in claim 22, comprising at least one explosive (17) disposed between the canopy (3) and the beam (16), activated in an emergency, thereby enabling the canopy (3) to be disconnected in one piece from the beam (16) and hooks (4) and preventing at least partially the injuries caused by the parts of the canopy (3).

24. The air vehicle (1) as claimed in claim 15, wherein the canopy mechanism (6) has a geometric structure and dimensional properties, enabling the canopy (3) to be held stationary at a desired position between the open position (A) and the closed position (K).

25. The air vehicle (1) as claimed in claim 16, wherein the canopy mechanism (6) is disposed in the cockpit, enabling the canopy (3) to be triggered and actuated by a single actuator (8), thereby reducing the pressurized volume and the need for a position sensor.

Description

[0023] The air vehicle realized to achieve the object of this invention is shown in the accompanying figures, wherein from these figures;

[0024] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of an air vehicle when the canopy is in the open position (A).

[0025] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of an air vehicle when the canopy is in the closed position (K).

[0026] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of an air vehicle when the canopy is in the locked position (L).

[0027] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of an air vehicle when the canopy is in the open position (A).

[0028] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of an air vehicle when the canopy is in the closed position (K).

[0029] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of an air vehicle when the canopy is in the locked position (L).

[0030] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of an air vehicle when the canopy is in the case of an emergency ejection.

[0031] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the transmission element.

[0032] The parts illustrated in figures are individually assigned a reference numeral and the corresponding terms of these numbers are listed below. [0033] 1. Air vehicle [0034] 2. Body [0035] 3. Canopy [0036] 4. Hook [0037] 5. Pin [0038] 6. Canopy mechanism [0039] 601. First canopy mechanism [0040] 602. Second canopy mechanism [0041] 7. Transmission element [0042] 8. Actuator [0043] 9. Limiter [0044] 10. Rolling element [0045] 101. First rolling element [0046] 102. Second rolling element [0047] 11. Recess [0048] 12. Inclined surface [0049] 13. Curved surface [0050] 14. Mount [0051] 15. Tail hook [0052] 16. Beam [0053] 17. Explosive [0054] (A) Open position [0055] (K) Closed position [0056] (L) Locked position

[0057] The air vehicle (1) comprises a body (2); a canopy (3) disposed on the body (2) so as to be able to move relatively to the body (2), enabling access and providing protection to the cockpit; more than one hook (4) provided on the canopy (3); more than one pin (5) provided on the body (2), enabling the canopy (3) to be fixed to the body (2) by engaging to the hook (4); an open position (A) enabling access to the cockpit so as to leave space between the canopy (3) and the body (2); a closed position (K) in which the canopy contacts the body (2) so that there is almost no gap left between the body (2) and the canopy (3); and a locked position (L) in which the canopy (3) is fixed to the body (2) by locking the pin (5) in the hook (4) (FIG. 1).

[0058] The air vehicle (1) of the invention comprises at least one canopy mechanism (6) that enables the canopy (3) to move from the closed position (K) to the open position (A) or from the open position (A) to the closed position (K) by a rotational motion and enables the canopy (K) in the closed position (3) to be brought to the locked position (L) by performing a sliding motion on the body (2) (FIG. 1).

[0059] There are provided more than one hook (4) evenly spaced on the canopy (3) so as to be integrated with the canopy (3) or to be in connection with the canopy (3), and more than one pin (5) evenly spaced on the body (2), almost completely preventing the movement of the canopy (3) by contacting the hooks (4) when the canopy (3) is brought to the locked position (L). It can move between an open position (A) wherein space is present between the body (2) and canopy (3) to provide access to the cockpit; a closed position (K) wherein almost a complete contact is present between the body (2) and the canopy (3) moved to come from the open position (A); and a locked position (L) wherein the hooks (4) contact the pins (5) so that the movement of canopy (3) is almost completely terminated and sealing is provided.

[0060] There is at least one canopy mechanism (6) enabling the canopy to move from the closed position (K) to the open position (A), from the open position (A) to the closed position (K) by performing a rotational motion around the axis that provides the connection of the canopy (3) to the body (2), as well as enabling the canopy (3) in the closed position (K) to be brought to the locked position (L) by performing a horizontal sliding motion on the body (2) along an axis that is parallel to the body (2). A single canopy mechanism (6) provides the movement of the canopy (3) between the open position (A), closed position (K) and locked position (L), said canopy opening toward the front to create a force against the air flow force that will act on it during the movement of the air vehicle (1).

[0061] In an embodiment of the invention, the air vehicle (1) comprises a J shaped transmission element (7) located between the canopy (3) and the canopy mechanism (6) so as to extend outward from the canopy (3), thereby transferring the movement it receives from the canopy mechanism (6) to the canopy (3). (FIG. 2). The transmission element (7) is located with one end connected to the canopy (3) and the other end to the canopy mechanism (6), thereby being triggered by the canopy mechanism (6) and/or by the actuator (8) and enabling the canopy (3) to be actuated.

[0062] In an embodiment of the invention, the air vehicle (1) comprises at least one actuator (8) providing the power required to actuate the transmission element (7) and/or the canopy mechanism (6) according to the commands received from the user. With the actuation of the actuator (8), the transmission element (7) can be triggered directly or through the canopy mechanism (6) (FIG. 2).

[0063] In an embodiment of the invention, the air vehicle (1) comprises a first canopy mechanism (601) in connection with the actuator (8) and the transmission element (7) to transfer the actuator's (8) actuation to the transmission element (7), a second canopy mechanism (602) that enables the canopy (3) to switch between rotational motion and/or sliding motion, and a transmission element (7), one end thereof being connected to the first canopy mechanism (601) and the other end thereof to the second canopy mechanism (602). The first canopy mechanism (601) is located in connection with the actuator (8) and the transmission element (7), performing a rotational motion and transmitting this rotational motion to the transmission element (7) by means of an arm to enable the canopy (3) to be actuated. While the second canopy mechanism (602) is in motion, the canopy (3) enables the pins (5) to be released from the hooks (4) by performing a sliding motion almost parallel to the body (2) to move from the locked position (L) to the closed position (A) or from the closed position (K) to the locked position (L). When the motion of the second canopy mechanism (602) is terminated, the canopy (3) can move from the open position (A) to the closed position (K) or from the closed position (K) to the open position (A) by performing a rotational motion around the point where the transmission element (7) is connected to the second canopy mechanism (602) (FIG. 2).

[0064] In an embodiment of the invention, the air vehicle (1) comprises at least one limiter (9) located between the second canopy mechanism (602) and the transmission element (7), which almost completely prevents the canopy (3) from moving by applying force onto the second canopy mechanism (602) while the canopy is in the closed position (K), thereby allowing the canopy (K) in the closed position (3) to perform a rotational motion by limiting its sliding motion. The limiter (9) consists of a spring disposed on the second canopy mechanism (602) so as to be in connection with the transmission element (7). When the canopy (3) switches from the locked position (L) to the closed position (K), the spring is compressed as a result of the movement of the second canopy mechanism (602) and when the second canopy mechanism (602) reaches a predetermined position by the user, the movement of the second canopy mechanism (602) is terminated by the force applied to the mechanism by the spring.

[0065] In an embodiment of the invention, the air vehicle (1) comprises more than one rolling element (10) in contact with the transmission element (7) on the canopy mechanism (6), a recess (11) provided on the transmission element (7), having a form that is compatible with the rolling element (10), and a canopy mechanism (6) enabling the canopy (3) to move from the closed position (K) to the open position (A) by performing a rotational motion with the rolling element (10) contacting the recess (11). When the recess (11) is in full contact with the rolling element (10), the end of the transmission element (7) that is not connected to the canopy (3) is located between the two rolling elements (10), in which case the canopy (3) being only able to perform a rotational motion.

[0066] In an embodiment of the invention, the air vehicle (1) comprises an inclined surface (12) provided on the transmission element (7), enabling the transmission element (7) to be positioned between two rolling elements (101, 102) so as to contact the recess (11) by moving on the rolling element (10), and a curved surface (13) enabling the transmission element (7) to perform a rotational motion between the two rolling elements (101, 102). While the canopy (3) is brought from the locked position (L) to the closed position (K), the rolling element (10) moves on the inclined surface (12), enabling the transmission element (7) to be elevated and placed between the first rolling element (101) and the second rolling element (102), and at the same time, enabling the canopy (3) to perform a sliding motion that is almost parallel to the body (2). When the rolling element (10) is placed in the recess (11), the canopy (3) can perform a rotational motion between the first rolling element (101) and the second rolling element (102). The rolling element (10) that contacts the transmission element (7) from its upper side at the same time prevents the upward movement of the transmission element (7).

[0067] In an embodiment of the invention, the air vehicle (1) comprises a mount (14) with an inclined form on the hook (4), enabling the canopy (3) in the locked position (L) to perform a sliding motion by limiting its rotational motion while the canopy (K) is brought to the closed position (K), thereby enabling the canopy (3) to be brought from the locked position (L) to the closed position (K). Thanks to its inclined form, the mount (14) almost completely prevents the canopy (3) from performing a rotational motion, allowing the canopy (3) to move on the horizontal axis with the pin (5) sliding in the mount (14).

[0068] In an embodiment of the invention, the air vehicle (1) comprises at least one tail hook (15) that is positioned in contact with the body (2) when the canopy (3) is in the locked position (L), enabling the canopy (3) to be moved away from the body (2) toward the tail part of the air vehicle (1) by performing a controlled rotational motion around the axis to which it is connected by means of air flow force in the event of an emergency ejection. In this way, the canopy (3) is almost completely prevented from hitting the pilot in an emergency evacuation.

[0069] In an embodiment of the invention, the air vehicle (1) comprises a canopy (3) that is opened almost in the opposite direction to the direction in which it is moved from the closed position (K) to the open position (A) in the event of an emergency ejection and is moved away from the body (2). The motion performed by the canopy (3) to be brought from the closed position (K) to the open position (A) while the air vehicle (1) is on the ground and the opening motion performed by the canopy to be removed from the body (2) while the air vehicle is in the air during an emergency are almost opposite to each other. In this way, it is facilitated to remove the canopy (3) from the air vehicle (1) by air flow. In an embodiment of the invention, the air vehicle (1) comprises at least one beam (16) that is located on the canopy (3) so as to extend lengthwise thereon, said beam having hooks (4) on itself that connect the canopy (3) to the body (2), wherein the beam remains on the body (2) when the canopy (3) is removed from the body in the event of an emergency ejection, thereby facilitating the removal of the canopy (3) from the body (2) by decreasing the weight of the canopy. As a result of keeping mechanical transmission parts such as the canopy mechanism (6), the transmission element (7) on the structure of the air vehicle, these heavy parts are prevented from causing injury by hitting the pilot during an emergency rescue, and the canopy (3) is thus made more lightweight so that it can be removed from the body (2) in a quick and easy manner.

[0070] In an embodiment of the invention, the air vehicle (1) comprises at least one explosive (17) between the canopy (3) and the beam (16), activated in an emergency and enabling the canopy (3) to be detached from the beam (16) and hooks (4) in one piece, thereby preventing at least partially the injuries caused by the parts of the canopy (3). Thus, the need for pilots to wear special clothes to protect themselves from glass fractures is reduced.

[0071] In an embodiment of the invention, the air vehicle (1) comprises a canopy mechanism (6) that enables the canopy (3) to be held stationary in the desired position between the open position (A) and the closed position (K). With a canopy mechanism (6) having a precision overcenter feature, the canopy (3) can remain stationary when the power supplied by the actuator (8) is cut off.

[0072] In an embodiment of the invention, the air vehicle (1) comprises a canopy mechanism (6) located in the cockpit, enabling the canopy (3) to be actuated by a single actuator (8), thereby reducing the pressurized volume and the need for a position sensor.