VERTICAL TAKE-OFF AND LANDING COCOON-TYPE FLYING VEHICLE

Abstract

An innovative capsule type flying vehicle with vertical takeoff and landing, which belongs to the field of devices for air transportation, preferably used for individual transportation, but optionally can be configured for the transportation of two people, where the great inconvenience of products of the same purpose found in the state of technology is the fact that they leave the user exposed and unprotected; differently, the object of this present request consists of a propelled flying vehicle having an aerodynamic envelope and structure, shaped as an ogive capsule, manufactured using light, reliable, safe and easily controllable material, capable of taking off and landing vertically and hovering, flying and maneuvering over great distances and altitudes; consisting of a pod-shaped capsule (1) formed by a base (2), head (3), entry door (4) with a windshield (4A) and a support to fix the propulsion engine.

Claims

1. “CAPSULE TYPE FLYING VEHICLE WITH VERTICAL TAKEOFF AND LANDING” consists of a propelled flying vehicle, characterized by being made based on a capsule in the form of a pod (1), which forms the cockpit, where in the front portion there is a door (4) containing a windshield (4A) and a control panel (12), and below the cockpit there is a base platform (2) below which accessories and the electric batteries are concentrated and externally the skid type landing gear, and in the upper posterior portion of the capsule there is a pair of propulsion systems (6), positioned side by side, which can be electric propulsion systems or mini turbojets, and on top of the capsule (1) there is a ballistic parachute (5).

2. “CAPSULE TYPE FLYING VEHICLE WITH VERTICAL TAKEOFF AND LANDING”, according to claim 1, characterized by the pod (1) is formed by a tubular structure (13) enclosed by a body of composite material.

3. “CAPSULE TYPE FLYING VEHICLE WITH VERTICAL TAKEOFF AND LANDING”, according to claim 1, characterized by the cockpit having in its interior a fixed seat on a cradle attached to the tubular structure (13) consisting of four vertical tubes and having metallic pivoting sleeves (11) attached to two columns of the pod, for vertical displacement and adjustment or shock absorption, where the tubular structure (13) has joysticks (9) for directional control and acceleration and deceleration of the propulsion systems

4. “CAPSULE TYPE FLYING VEHICLE WITH VERTICAL TAKEOFF AND LANDING”, according to claim 1, characterized by fixed, axial flow propulsion engines (6), enclosed within aerodynamic nacelles, equipped with two finned nozzles or control surfaces (8), where one group of manually operated control devices is mechanically linked to these control surfaces.

5. “CAPSULE TYPE FLYING VEHICLE WITH VERTICAL TAKEOFF AND LANDING”, according to claim 1, optionally characterized by the vehicle being equipped with a landing gear having wheels (14) instead of a skid type landing gear.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION DRAWINGS

[0042] In order to complement this present description so as to obtain better understanding of the characteristics of this present invention and according to the preferred practical execution hereof, a set of drawings, attached hereto, is part of this description in which, for the purpose of exemplification but not limited hereto, the following is presented:

[0043] A FIG. 1—Shows an upper-posterior perspective view of the capsule type flying vehicle of vertical takeoff and landing.

[0044] A FIG. 2—Shows an upper-frontal perspective view of the capsule type flying vehicle of vertical takeoff and landing.

[0045] A FIG. 3—Shows a side view of the capsule type flying vehicle of vertical takeoff and landing.

[0046] A FIG. 4—Shows an upper-frontal transparent view of the capsule type flying vehicle of vertical takeoff and landing.

[0047] A FIG. 5—Shows an upper-posterior perspective view of the tubular structure and the seat that comprises the interior portion of the capsule type flying vehicle of vertical takeoff and landing, where the pilot and the instruments and control panel are represented, which are assembled on the vehicle door.

[0048] A FIG. 6—Shows an upper-frontal perspective view of the capsule type flying vehicle of vertical takeoff and landing, without the door representation.

[0049] A FIG. 7—Shows a side view of the capsule type flying vehicle of vertical takeoff and landing, equipped with wheels.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0050] According to that illustrated in the figures listed above, the “CAPSULE TYPE FLYING VEHICLE WITH VERTICAL TAKEOFF AND LANDING”, object of this present patent, consists of a propelled flying vehicle, having an aerodynamic envelope and structure, shaped as an ogive capsule, manufactured using light, reliable, safe and easily controllable material, configured as a jetpod, capable of taking off, landing vertically and hovering, flying and maneuvering over great distances and altitudes.

[0051] Basically the capsule type flying vehicle with vertical takeoff and landing consists of a pod-shaped capsule (1) formed by a base (2), head (3) entrance door (4) with a windshield (4A) and a support to affix the propulsion motor.

[0052] More specifically, the vehicle has two fixed propulsion systems (6) (it is possible to use just one) of axial flow, encased by aerodynamic nacelles, which allow it to take off from the ground to hover or to fly in aerial displacement. The vehicle thrust is directed by two finned nozzles (8) or control surfaces. A set of control devices operated manually is mechanically connected to these control surfaces, to change the vehicle's heading.

[0053] Each control surface is at the outlet of each propulsion system (6) and are independently controlled by means of an array of elements or mechanical joints using two joystick type control levers (9).

[0054] These finned nozzles (8) redirect the thrust forward and backward; to the right or to the left of the vehicle, allowing it to execute all types of maneuvers in several directions.

[0055] The joysticks (9) also have a device to accelerate or decelerate the propulsion systems, thereby controlling their speed.

[0056] The capsule (1) is manufactured using a aeronautical aluminum tubular structure (13), enclosed by a body made of lightweight composite material.

[0057] This body forms the cockpit, which provides safety to the passenger or pilot (a two-seat version is possible to transport two people). At the front of the cockpit there is a door (4) made of composite material that allows passenger entry and exit. This door also has the windshield (4A), which protects against adverse conditions during the flight, and a control panel (12) for the user to control the spatial orientation, to orient himself and assess the flight.

[0058] Right below the cockpit there is a base platform (2) where several accessories are concentrated, the skid type landing gear, for landings, and the electric batteries.

[0059] In the upper pod portion, on each side, there is a pair of propulsion systems (6), which can be electric propulsion systems or mini turbojets. These propulsion systems are installed above the assembly's center of gravity, to produce thrust with directional stability. The pilot is positioned at the center of the pod fastened to a seat (1), which offers vertical movement to better adjust it and absorb shocks in case the vehicle falls.

[0060] This light wooden chair is attached to a cradle fixed to the tubular structure (13) made using four vertical tubes and has metallic pivoting sleeves (11), fixed to two capsule columns, for vertical displacement in case of adjustment or shock absorption in case of a low altitude fall not greater than 8 m .

[0061] A ballistic parachute (5) is installed on top of the vehicle for use in case of an emergency or malfunction while the vehicle is airborne above an altitude of 8m.

OPERATION

[0062] The capsule type flying vehicle with vertical takeoff and landing can use various engine configurations: two spin turbojets; two spin turbofans, two spin compressors, four spin compressors, and finally, one double shaft turbofan with spins, i.e., each shaft spins in the opposite direction of the other shaft.

[0063] The simplest propulsion model requires just one small turbofan engine that is assembled vertically, with its air inlet turned upwards.

[0064] The intake air is divided into two flows. One flow enters the combustion chamber, the other flow ignores the engine and, afterwards, is mixed with the hot turbine gases, cooling them and protecting the pilot against the high temperatures that are generated.

[0065] The design of the nozzles makes it possible to move the jet to any side. The kerosene fuel is stored in a tank, next to the engine, fixed to the pod.

[0066] The control of the turbojet package is similar for the models using a rocket system, but the pilot cannot incline the entire engine. Maneuvers are done by tilting the levers, the pilot can move the jets of both engines forward, aft or sideways. The pilot turns the lever to the left and right by turning the left wrist. The right identifier governs the engine propulsion.

[0067] The engine is started with the aid of a small electric starter motor.

[0068] There are instruments to control the engine power and a portable radio to connect and transmit data.

[0069] A model was presented to carry just one pilot, but versions with two or more occupants can be developed adopting the same flying capsule concept hereby requested.

[0070] With regard to the propulsion systems, propulsion versions using two mini turbojets can be made. This configuration may apply one or two turbojets or even mini turbofans, which produce less noise and consume less fuel.

[0071] Optionally, the vehicle may be equipped with landing gear using wheels (14) instead of the skid type landing gear.

[0072] The vehicle applications are basically limited initially to the transportation of people (one or two) with a small amount of luggage. Autonomous vehicles can be designed, without the need of passenger operation.

[0073] It is certain that when this present invention is put into practice, modifications may be introduced with regard to certain construction and form details, without this implying moving away from the fundamental principals that are clearly substantiated within the content of this claim, therefore being understood that the employed terminology has the purpose of description and not of limitation.