Vertical take-off and/or landing aircraft and method for controlling a flow of a fluid along a fluidic line of a vertical take-off and/or landing aircraft

Abstract

A vertical take-off and/or landing aircraft comprising: a fuselage having a longitudinal axis; a pair of semi-wings protruding from the fuselage in a transversal direction with respect to the longitudinal axis; a pair of a predetermined breaking areas of the semi-wings defining respective preferred rupture sections at which the respective semi-wings are designed to break, during operation, in a controlled way moving along a preferred collapse trajectory in the event of impact; and at least one fluidic line configured to convey at least one service fluid from and/or towards at least one said semi-wing and crossing at least one of said preferred rupture sections; the aircraft comprises a self-sealing coupling movable between a first configuration in which it enables the flow of said service fluid from and/or towards the semi-wing, and a second configuration in which it prevents the above-mentioned flow and the spilling of the service fluid from the fluidic line; the self-sealing coupling is movable from the first to the second configuration via the movement of the semi-wing along the preferred collapse trajectory.

Claims

1. A vertical take-off and/or landing aircraft (1) comprising: a fuselage (2) having a longitudinal axis (D); a pair of semi-wings (3) protruding from said fuselage (2) in a transversal direction with respect to said longitudinal axis (D); a pair of predetermined breaking areas (11) of said semi-wings (3) defining respective preferred rupture sections (12) at which the respective semi-wings (3) are designed to break, in use, in a controlled way moving, in use, along a preferred collapse trajectory in the event of impact; and at least one fluidic line (13) configured to convey at least one service fluid from and/or towards at least one said semi-wing (3) and crossing at least one of said preferred rupture sections (12); a self-sealing coupling (15) movable between a first configuration in which it enables the flow of said service fluid from and/or towards said at least one semi-wing (3), and a second configuration in which it prevents said flow and the spilling of said service fluid from said fluidic line (13); said self-sealing coupling (15) being movable from said first configuration to said second configuration through the movement of said semi-wing (3) along said preferred collapse trajectory; and a driving device (20), configured to transmit said movement of said at least one semi-wing (3) along said preferred collapse trajectory to said self-sealing coupling (15), so as to control the movement of said self-sealing coupling (15) from said first configuration to said second configuration.

2. The aircraft according to claim 1, wherein said driving device (20) comprises: a control appendix (21) fixed to said self-sealing coupling (15) and movable to cause the movement of said self-sealing coupling (15) from said first configuration to said second configuration; and a connection element (22) operationally interposed between said at least one semi-wing (3) and said control appendix (21) and configured to transform said movement of said at least one semi-wing (3) along said preferred collapse trajectory into the movement of said control appendix (21).

3. The aircraft according to claim 2, wherein said movement of said at least one semi-wing (3) comprises a substantially rotational motion of said at least one semi-wing (3) about an axis lying on said preferred rupture section (12); said connection element (22) being configured to transform said substantially rotational motion of said semi-wing (3) into a substantially translational motion of said control appendix (21) to move said self-sealing coupling (15) from said first configuration to said second configuration.

4. The aircraft according to claim 2, wherein said connection element (22) is fixed to said at least one semi-wing (3) at its first end portion (22a), and is hinged to said control appendix (21) at its second end portion (22b).

5. The aircraft according to claim 2, wherein said connection element (22) is a rigid element or a flexible element.

6. The aircraft according to claim 1, wherein said fluidic line (13) comprises a first segment (14a) extending at said semi-wing (3) and a second segment (14b) extending at said fuselage (2); said self-sealing coupling (15) comprising a valve device (16) movable between: an open position, in which it allows said flow of said service fluid between said first segment (14a) and said second segment (14b); and a closed position, in which it prevents said flow of said service fluid between said first segment (14a) and said second segment (14b); said valve device (16) being arranged in said open position when said self-sealing coupling (15) is in said first configuration, and being arranged in said closed position when said self-sealing coupling (15) is in said second configuration.

7. The aircraft according to claim 6, wherein said self-sealing coupling (15) further comprises a coupling device (17) configured to fluidly connect said first segment (14a) to said second segment (14b) and comprising a first coupling element (18) carried by said first segment (14a) and a second coupling element (19) carried by said second segment (14b); said coupling device (17) being movable between: an operating position, in which said first coupling element (18) is coupled with said second coupling element (19); and a rest position, in which said first coupling element (18) is decoupled from said second coupling element (19); said coupling device (17) being arranged in said operating position when said self-sealing coupling (15) is in said first configuration, and being arranged in said rest position when said self-sealing coupling (15) is in said second configuration.

8. The aircraft according to claim 2, wherein said control appendix (21) is fixed to one of said first coupling element (18) and second coupling element (19) and can be actuated by said connection element (22) to determine the removal of said one of said first coupling element (18) and second coupling element (19) from the other of said first coupling element (18) and second coupling element (19) and thus moving said self-sealing coupling (15) from said first configuration to said second configuration.

9. The aircraft according to claim 1, wherein each preferred rupture section (12) is arranged in an intersection area between the related semi-wing (3) and said fuselage (2); said semi-wing (3) being configured to separate from said fuselage (2) along said preferred rupture section (12) moving along said preferred collapse trajectory.

10. The aircraft according to claim 1, wherein said aircraft (1) is a convertiplane or a helicoplane.

11. A method for controlling a flow of a service fluid inside a fluidic line (13) of a vertical take-off and/or landing aircraft (1); said aircraft (1) comprising: a fuselage (2) having a longitudinal axis (D); a pair of semi-wings (3) protruding from said fuselage (2) in a transversal direction with respect to said longitudinal axis (D); a pair of a predetermined breaking areas (11) of said semi-wings (3) defining respective preferred rupture sections (12) at which the respective semi-wings (3) are designed to break, in use, in a controlled way moving along a preferred collapse trajectory in the event of impact; and at least one fluidic line (13) configured to convey at least one service fluid from and/or towards at least one said semi-wing (3) and crossing at least one of said preferred rupture sections (12); wherein the method comprises the steps of: moving a self-sealing coupling (15) between a first configuration, in which it enables the flow of said service fluid from and/or towards said at least one semi-wing (3), and a second configuration, in which it prevents said flow and the spilling of said service fluid from said fluidic line (13), through said movement of said at least one semi-wing (3) along said preferred collapse trajectory; and transmitting said movement of said at least one semi-wing (3) along said preferred collapse trajectory to said self-sealing coupling (15) through a driving device (20).

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein said driving device (20) comprises: a control appendix (21) fixed to said self-sealing coupling (15); and a connection element (22) operationally interposed between said at least one semi-wing (3) and said control appendix (21); wherein the method further comprises the steps of: translating said control appendix (21) to cause the movement of said self-sealing coupling (15) from said first configuration to said second configuration; and transforming said movement of said semi-wing (3) along said preferred collapse trajectory into the translation of said control appendix (21) via said connection element (22), and/or wherein the step of moving said self-sealing coupling (15) comprises the step of: arranging a valve device (16) from an open position, in which it allows said flow of said service fluid from and/or towards said semi-wing (3), to a closed position, in which it prevents said flow and said spilling from said fluidic line (13), through the translation of said control appendix (21).

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein said self-sealing coupling (15) comprises a first coupling element (18) and a second coupling element (19), coupled to each other when said self-sealing coupling (15) is arranged in said first configuration and decoupled when said self-sealing coupling (15) is arranged is said second configuration; wherein the step of moving said self-sealing coupling (15) comprises the step of: decoupling said first coupling element (18) and said second coupling element (19) through the translation of said control appendix (21).

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) For a better understanding of the present invention, a preferred non-limiting embodiment thereof is illustrated, purely by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

(2) FIG. 1 is a perspective side view, with parts removed for the sake of clarity, of a vertical take-off and/or landing aircraft made according to the present invention, in particular a convertiplane;

(3) FIG. 2 is a front view, with parts removed for the sake of clarity, of the convertiplane of FIG. 1, during nominal operating conditions;

(4) FIG. 3 is a front view, partly cross-sectional and with parts removed for the sake of clarity, of the convertiplane of FIG. 1, during non-nominal operating conditions, for example after ground impact;

(5) FIG. 4 is a front view, on an enlarged scale and with parts removed for the sake of clarity, of some details of the aircraft of FIG. 1, during nominal operating conditions;

(6) FIG. 5 is a front view, on an enlarged scale and with parts removed for the sake of clarity, of the detail of FIG. 4, during a wing detachment phase following impact; and

(7) FIGS. 6 and 7 are side partly cross-sectional views, on an enlarged scale and with parts removed for the sake of clarity, of the detail of FIG. 4, during different operating conditions.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

(8) With reference to FIGS. 1 to 3, a vertical take-off and/or landing aircraft is illustrated.

(9) According to this preferred and non-limiting embodiment, the aircraft is a convertiplane designated as a whole by reference numeral 1 and capable of taking off and landing in a vertical, or substantially vertical, direction.

(10) The convertiplane 1 is capable of taking off and landing like a helicopter, with no need for a long runway.

(11) The convertiplane 1 essentially comprises: a fuselage 2 having a longitudinal axis D; a pair of semi-wings 3 that cantilever from the respective opposite parts of the fuselage 2 and transversally to the longitudinal axis D; and a pair of nacelles 4 housing related rotors 5.

(12) The fuselage 2 comprises, a nose 6 arranged in the front portion, and a tail portion 7, which are opposite each other along the longitudinal axis.

(13) It is specified that the terms “front”, “tail”, “longitudinal”, “lateral” and similar ones used in the present description refer to a normal movement direction of the convertiplane 1 during flight.

(14) In greater detail, each rotor 5 essentially comprises: an engine which is not shown; a shaft which is not shown and rotating about an axis A; a hub 8 which is driven to rotate by the shaft; and a plurality of blades 10 pivoting on the hub 8, in particular distributed circumferentially with respect to the axis A on the hub 8.

(15) The nacelles 4 are tiltable integrally with the rotors 5 about an axis B relative to the semi-wings 3.

(16) Axis B is transversal to the longitudinal axis and to axes A. The semi-wings 3 extend substantially along axis B.

(17) The convertiplane 1 can be selectively arranged: in a “helicopter” configuration in which axes A of the rotors 5 are orthogonal to the longitudinal axis and to axis B (FIG. 2); and in an “airplane” configuration (not visible) in which axes A of the rotors 5 are parallel to the longitudinal axis and orthogonal to axis B.

(18) Given that the semi-wings 3 are identical, for the sake of brevity, a single semi-wing 3 of the convertiplane 1 will be mentioned below.

(19) However, the structural and functional characteristics described and indicated below are applicable in the same way to the other semi-wing 3 of the convertiplane 1.

(20) The convertiplane 1 further comprises a predetermined breaking area 11 of the semi-wing 3 defining a respective preferred rupture section 12 at which the semi-wing 3 breaks in a controlled way moving along a preferred collapse trajectory in the event of impact, in particular in case of ground impact.

(21) In particular, the breaking area 11 is arranged in the area where the semi-wing 3 and the fuselage 2 intersect.

(22) Consequently, the semi-wing 3 is designed to break, that is to separate, from the fuselage 2 along the rupture section 12 defined by the breaking area 11, carrying out the above-mentioned movement along the preferred collapse trajectory.

(23) Preferably, the rupture section 12 is a weakened section of the semi-wing 3, at which a breaking of the latter is configured to start and continue along a rupture path extending along the semi-wing profile, in particular from top to bottom, transversally to axis B.

(24) More specifically, the separation movement along the collapse trajectory occurs, during operation, following impact, for example following a vertical drop during take-off or landing, at a horizontal forward velocity close to zero.

(25) In particular, the semi-wing 3 is designed to break off from the fuselage 2 along the rupture section 12 and to rotate downwards with the respect to the latter, until it touches ground at its free end portion, thus avoiding or at least limiting damages to persons or payload occupying the fuselage 2.

(26) In view of the above description, the preferred collapse trajectory is defined by a substantially rotational motion of the semi-wing 3 about an axis lying on the rupture section 12 between a starting position, corresponding to the nominal position of normal operation of the semi-wing 3 and illustrated in FIG. 2, and a final position, corresponding to the setting on the ground of the broken semi-wing 3 and illustrated in FIG. 3.

(27) As is visible in FIGS. 2 to 5, the convertiplane 1 further comprises a fluidic line 13 configured to convey at least one service fluid from and/or towards the semi-wing 3.

(28) In detail, the fluidic line 13 comprises at least one tube 14 configured to convey a control fluid, for example pressurised oil, inside the semi-wing 3, in particular from and towards the nacelle 4, with the purpose of hydraulically controlling its tilt with respect to axis B.

(29) In greater detail, the tube 14 comprises a segment 14a extending at the semi-wing 3, in particular inside the semi-wing 3, and a segment 14b which extends at the fuselage 2, in particular inside the fuselage 2.

(30) Advantageously, the convertiplane 1, in particular the fluidic line 13, is provided with a self-sealing coupling 15 configured to fluidly connect the segment 14a and the segment 14b and to enable or to interrupt the flow of the control fluid between the segment 14a and the segment 14b.

(31) In detail, the self-sealing coupling 15 is controllable between: a first configuration, in which it enables the flow of the control fluid from and/or towards the semi-wing 3 and therefore fluidly connects the segment 14a and the segment 14b and enables the flow of the control fluid between the segment 14a and the segment 14b; and a second configuration, in which it prevents the above-mentioned flow and the spilling of the control fluid from the fluidic line 13, and therefore in which the segment 14a and the segment 14b are fluidly disconnected and the flow of control fluid between the segment 14a and the segment 14b is prevented.

(32) In greater detail, when the self-sealing coupling 15 is in the second configuration, it prevents a spilling of the control fluid from the segment 14a and/or from the segment 14b.

(33) According to the invention, the self-sealing coupling 15 is movable from the first configuration to the second configuration through the above-mentioned movement of the semi-wing 3 along the preferred collapse trajectory.

(34) Preferably, the self-sealing coupling 15 is a Stratoflex Slide-Lok coupling and is described below in so far as is necessary to the comprehension of the present invention.

(35) With reference to FIGS. 6 and 7, the self-sealing coupling 15 further comprises a coupling device 17 configured to fluidly connect the segment 14a with the segment 14b.

(36) In detail, the coupling device 17 comprises: a first coupling element, in particular a hose coupling 18 carried by the segment 14a, even more in particular fixed to a free end of the segment 14a; a second coupling element, in particular a hose coupling 19 carried by the segment 14b, even more in particular fixed to a free end of the segment 14b fluidly facing the above-mentioned free end of the segment 14a.

(37) In greater detail, the hose coupling 18 can be releasably coupled to the hose coupling 19 in order to fluidly connect the segment 14a with the segment 14b.

(38) More specifically, the coupling device 17 is selectively movable to: an operating position, illustrated in FIG. 6, in which the hose coupling 18 is coupled to the hose coupling 19; and a rest position, illustrated in FIG. 7, in which the hose coupling 18 is decoupled from the hose coupling 19.

(39) The self-sealing coupling 15 further comprises a valve device 16, housed inside the coupling device 17 and movable so as to prevent the flow of the control fluid from and/or towards the semi-wing 3, more specifically to prevent the flow of the control fluid between the segment 14a and the segment 14b of the tube 14.

(40) In the specific example, the valve device 16 is movable between: an open position, in which it allows the flow of the control fluid between the segment 14a and the segment 14b; and a closed position, in which it prevents the flow of the control fluid between the segment 14a and the segment 14b.

(41) More specifically, when the valve device 16 is in the closed position, it prevents the spilling of the control fluid from the segment 14a and/or from the segment 14b.

(42) In this regard, the valve device 16 comprises a first valve element 16a adapted to seal (that is close in a fluid-tight manner) the segment 14a and a second valve element 16b adapted to seal (that is close in a fluid-tight manner) the segment 14b.

(43) In a known way, the valve device 16 is arranged, in use, in the open position when the coupling device 17 is in the operating position, that is when the hose coupling 18 and the hose coupling 19 are coupled to one another, and in the closed position when the coupling device 17 is in the rest position, that is when the hose coupling 18 and the hose coupling 19 are decoupled from one another.

(44) In particular, such an arrangement of the valve device occurs automatically following the coupling or decoupling between the hose coupling 18 and the hose coupling 19, according to a known manner characteristic of the self-sealing couplings of the type described above and not illustrated in detail.

(45) In other words, when the hose couplings 18 and 19 are coupled, the fluid flows between the segments 14a and 14b (FIG. 6). On the other hand, when the hose couplings 18 and 19 are decoupled, the fluid cannot spill from the segments 14a and 14b (FIG. 7).

(46) According to this preferred and non-limiting embodiment, the self-sealing coupling 15 comprises spring mechanisms that are configured to arrange the valve device 16, and in particular the first valve element 16a and the second valve element 16b, from the open position to the closed position when the coupling device 17 is arranged from the operating position to the rest position.

(47) In greater detail, the first valve element 16a is defined by a hose coupling housed inside the hose coupling 18 and movable between: a rest position, in which it is pushed, through the restoring force of a special elastic body, against a sealing element integral with the hose coupling 18, preventing the spilling/entry of the fluid from/into the hose coupling 18 and therefore out of/into the segment 14a; and an operating position, in which is pushed by the hose coupling 19 far away from the sealing element, enabling the spilling/entry of the fluid from/into the hose coupling 18 and therefore out of/into the segment 14a.

(48) Similarly, the second valve element 16b is defined by a hose coupling housed inside the hose coupling 19 and movable between: a rest position, in which it is pushed, through the restoring force of a special elastic body, against a constriction of the hose coupling 19, preventing the spilling/entry of the fluid from/into the hose coupling 19 and therefore out of/into the segment 14b; and an operating position, in which it is pushed by the sealing element of the hose coupling 18 far away against the restoring force of the related elastic body, enabling the spilling/entry of the fluid from/into the hose coupling 19 and therefore out of/into the segment 14b.

(49) The valve device 16 is movable, in use, through the above-mentioned movement of the semi-wing 3 along the above-mentioned preferred collapse trajectory, in order to prevent the flow of the control fluid from and/or towards the semi-wing 3, in particular inside the self-sealing coupling 15 and, therefore, inside the tube 14.

(50) Moreover, the coupling device 17 is movable, during operation, from said operating position to said rest position through the above-mentioned movement of the semi-wing 3 along the above-mentioned preferred collapse trajectory.

(51) Conveniently, the convertiplane 1 comprises a driving device 20 configured to activate the valve device 16 so as to prevent the flow of the control fluid from and/or towards the semi-wing 3 along the tube 14.

(52) Moreover, the driving device 20 is also configured to control the arrangement of the coupling device 17 from the operating position to the rest position.

(53) In detail, the driving device 20 is configured to transmit the above-mentioned movement of the semi-wing 3 along the preferred collapse trajectory to the self-sealing coupling 15 and, therefore, to the valve device 16 and to the coupling device 17.

(54) More specifically, the driving device 20 comprises (FIG. 4): a control appendix 21, fixed, in particular assembled, to the hose coupling 18; and a rigid bar 22 rigidly assembled to the semi-wing 3, at its end portion 22a, and coupled, in particular hinged, to the control appendix 21, at its end portion 22b, opposite to the end portion 22a.

(55) In practice, the bar 22 transmits the above-mentioned movement of the semi-wing 3 to the control appendix 21. In view of the above description, the driving device 20 defines a lever body, which transforms the rotational motion of the semi-wing 3 into a substantially translational motion of the control appendix 21 fixed to the hose coupling 18. Such a movement draws the hose coupling 18 and the hose coupling 19 apart.

(56) In this way, the decoupling of the hose couplings 18 and 19 and the actuation of the valve device 16 following the dropping of the semi-wing resulting from its breaking along the preferred rupture section 12, are determined. In view of the above description, the driving device 20 is configured to simultaneously control the decoupling of the hose coupling 18 from the hose coupling 19 and the actuation of the valve device 16.

(57) In this way, when the semi-wing 3 moves along the preferred collapse trajectory, the segment 14a of the tube 14 is decoupled from the segment 14b and the flow of the control fluid between the two and the spilling of the same from the two are almost instantly interrupted through the closing of the valve device 16.

(58) The operation of the convertiplane 1 according to the present invention will be described below, with particular reference to a starting condition in which the convertiplane 1 has undergone a ground impact with a substantially vertical speed and the semi-wing 3 is breaking along the rupture section 12, separating from the fuselage 2 and collapsing along the preferred collapse trajectory (FIG. 4).

(59) In such a condition, the coupling device 17 is in the operating position and the valve device 16 is in the open position; therefore the segment 14a is fluidly connected with the segment 14b (FIG. 6).

(60) The bar 22 transmits the rotational motion of the semi-wing 3 to the hose coupling 18 of the coupling device 17, through the control appendix 21. Thanks to the lever body defined by the hinged coupling of the bar 22 with the control appendix 21, the rotational movement of the semi-wing 3 is transformed into a translational motion of the control appendix 21 itself and, hence, of the hose coupling 18, to which the control appendix 21 is rigidly assembled.

(61) The movement of the semi-wing 3 thereby results in the arrangement of the coupling device 17 from the operating position to the rest position.

(62) Moreover, according to a known characteristic mode of the self-sealing couplings, the movement of the first valve element 16a and of the second valve element 16b of the valve device 16 from the open position to the closed position is determined.

(63) Therefore, the flow of control fluid between the segment 14a and the segment 14b of the tube 14 is interrupted.

(64) Moreover, the spilling of the control fluid from the segment 14a and the segment 14b are prevented, significantly reducing the risk of fire on board.

(65) The examination of the characteristics of the convertiplane 1 and of the method implemented according to the present invention highlight the advantages that they enable to obtain.

(66) In particular, the rotation of the semi-wings 3 in case of impact determines the movement of the respective self-sealing couplings 15 between the first and the second configuration.

(67) In this way, the spilling of the control fluid from the tube 14 is automatically prevented should there be an accident at take-off/landing.

(68) Therefore, the risk of fire resulting from the spreading of service fluids following non-nominal take-off or landing is significantly reduced, thereby increasing the safety of the convertiplane 1 during the take-off and landing phases.

(69) The invention is particularly applicable to convertiplanes and helicoplanes, since in these aircraft there is the need to convey service fluids from and towards the semi-wings 3 to feed the rotors 5 and, therefore, tubes shall be present in the respective breaking areas.

(70) Thus, it is possible to facilitate the certification of the convertiplane 1.

(71) It is clear that modifications and variations can be made to the convertiplane 1 described and illustrated herein without thereby departing from the scope of protection defined by the claims.

(72) In particular, the fluidic line 13 may comprise more than one tube 14.

(73) Moreover, the driving device 20 may comprise a flexible cable instead of the bar 22. In this case, the required tension of the flexible cable during the movement of the semi-wing 3 would be ensured by a special pulley system.

(74) In addition, the aircraft may be a helicoplane or a gyrodyne.