GB2239642A - Microlight aircraft - Google Patents

Abstract

A microlight aircraft comprises a motor car, preferably with a fully enclosed passenger/crew cabin, suspended from a Rogallo wing. The car has a pusher propeller. Pitch control is by a lever similar to a car gear selector lever (Figs 6, 7) connected to control the wing angle of attack. Roll control is by a car type steering wheel (Figs 8-11). The car can be detached from the wing and used as a ground vehicle. <IMAGE>

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD.

INTERNAL CONTROLLED MICRO LIGHT FLEXITNG FLYING AND GROUND RACING MACHINE.

DESIGNED TO BE CAPABLE OF FLYING AND FOR SAFE ROAD DRIVING AND RACING.

BACKGROUND: - Microlight flex-wing flying machines are a machine whose empty weight must not exceed 150 kg and with a wing area in square metres of not less than W/10, where W is the weight in kilograms. These limits are currently being reviewed in order to improve two seater flying.

They are well known for their open to the environment mode of travel and their need to be grounded in wind speeds above 10 miles per hour; unless in the hands of a competent enthusiast who may state that they can fly in winds up to 20 m.p.h.

They come in two parts: THE WING.

The wing is called a ROGALLO WING. A flexible type of wing named after it inventor, who originally designed it for recovering space capsules, now widely used for hang-gliding and weight-shift aircraft.

This patent is intended to use the rogallo wing for air support. In the U.K. it is usually called a flex-wing or flexi-wing and it relies upon air flow to give it its correct profile.

THE TRIKE.

These are weight-shift machines with a single mounted engine on the trike which is driven by a pusher propeller and which usually incorporate a single or tandem two seat configuration; the author knows of only one make with a side-by-side configuration. The undercarriage has a framed body that has three wheels constructed in a tricycle formation. Hence trike.

Some carry a pod at the front of the machine and which the feet, up to the knees, go into. The feet rest upon front nose wheel struts in a push left go right, push right go left steering which is independent from any aerodynamic controls.

ESSENTIAL TECHNICAL FEATURES.

TO OBTAIN FLIGHT PROPERTIES THESE TWO ARE JOINED TOGER.

The TRIKE is suspended below the wing by a POLE which is attached to a central position on the ROGGLO WINGS kingpost and the pilot sits in an open to the elements position (which is similar to a motorcyclist) and grips the 'A' frame in order to keep the wing balanced upon it pivot in a the required position.

The aerodynamic control is obtained by a using the 'A' bar to control pitch and roll and is achieved by altering the position of the trike unit to the wing. This can only be achieved in flight for the 'A' frame, whose centre bar is dropped to join together the two outside struts and is the part that the pilot grips, is attached at the top of the 'A' to the centre balance point of the wing, just in front of the joining of the POLE and KINGPOST. By wires, which run from the "A" frame to left and right part of the wing also to the nose and tail, the pilot is able to push forward for nose up, pull backwards for nose down and leftwards for clockwise/right, rightwards for anticlociise/left. It is the need for this type of steering that makes it essential to be in an open to the elements piloting position.

IT IS TO ENABLE THIS TYPE OF AIRCRAFT TO BE CONTROLLED FROM INSIDE AN ENCLOSED "UNDERCARRIGE POD" ( WHICH TO ALL INIEllTS AND PURPOSES WILL BE SIMILAR TO THE CONFIGURATION AND DRIVING PROPERTIES OF A CAR) THAT THIS PRESENT INVENTION CLADXS TO PROVIDE.

( The change is similar to the comfort and safety differences between a motorcyclist and a car driver.

EXAMPLE.

The specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1. shows in perspective the Aircar with the four wheel "simulated car" vehicle with pusher propeller attached to the rogallo wing and in simulated flight over mountains.

Figure 2. shows a drawing to this effect indicating the position of the driver/pilot within the simulated Finley Aircar.

Figure 3. shows a body design which encloses the internal handling concept of the pitch and roll aerodynamic controls of the rogallo wing which in turn gives direction to the aircar and which also makes obsolete the "A" frame guidance control of existing trike microlight flying. The drawing also shows the mast pole which will be attached to the rogallo wing.

Figure 4. shows the four wheel chassis arrangement with floor resting on supports with the overall design constructed to accommodate various types of shell (body) construction. (Dealt with later) This page also indicates a side by side seating arrangement with central "gear stick" which will control the aircars rogallo wing pitch. (angle of attack).

Figurs 5. shows the Finley overall pitch control (angle of attack) system with suspension boxes on forward and aft wire. This drawing also shows how the wires run from the control points and attach to the rogallo wing.

Figure 6. shows in greater detail the Finley "gear stick" pitch control box configuration and from the neutral gear position to forward ( nose down) and backwards (nose up). The gear control will also incorporate fixed positions for automatic landing and take off. It also indicates the Finley locking system that is designed to restrict the flying envelope to that of the driver/pilot capabilities.This is a definite training aid and gives the aircraft a significant advantage during pilot training and their consequent release to a solo period of flying. (Can become a slandatory training policy coupled to hours of experience with currently unlimited control of any nuMber of forward and backward "gear" positions.) Figure 7. shows the Finley pitch control apparatus which links to the gear stick for positioning and via the elevator cables to the nose and tail of the aircars wing. It is based on a push forward (the gear stick) nose down and conversely pull back (the gear stick) nose up. In this way the driver of the aircar alters the rogallo wings "angle of attack" and thus its flying properties.

Figure 8. shows the interior of the Finley aircar and the conventional looking car steering wheel. The Finley steering column system is designed to be movable to either the left, centre or right driving positions by incorporating a break universal swivel joint and upper, to dashboard, fixed location points.

Figure 9. shows the conventional steering wheel and in particular: A. the Finley guidance control system fixes the amount of roll of the rogallo wing attached to the aircar by incorporating a locking system to allow the aircar and driver/pilot capabilities to be matched. This limits the amount of right and left roll allowed to the pilot. ( Can become a mandatory training policy coupled to hours of experience and the currently unlimited control of any number of roll left or right positions.) B. the Finley fixed central steer left go fly/drive left or steer right go /fly/drive right control system which, by driver/pilot influence, guides the aircars rogallo wing roll/turn to the left or to the right direction. The steering of the aircar without the wing would be as obedient as conventional car steering.

A. and B. can be in any fixed in any order on the steering column according to "cockpit" car body designs.

Figure 10. shows the Finley fixed central roll control system configuration and the attachment of guidance wires which travel from the outer part of grooved wheel, fixed to the steering column, through the flexible or fixed wheel pulleys, according to cockpit design, to the left/port and right/starboard wings. These wires will incorporate the suspension control boxes, as do the forward and aft elevator wires, which are designed to take up flex-wing spasmodic mobility and wind t irbulence.

Figure 11. shows the arrangement of roll control wires to the rogallo wing.

Figure 12. shows a variation on the circular design which design used will depend upon the car/cockysit body design.

Figure 13. shows the Finley automatic guidance flex -wing (rogallo) steering system and the fixed socket positions which relate to the amount of roll left roll right allowed to the driver/pilot. It works on the principle of the half submerged ball bearing locking device which inserts itself into various pre designed position on the fixed to chassis outer ring casing. The various bolt positions restrict the ball bearing insert from steering further left or further right and thereby control the amount of roll allowed to influence the wing. The system will incorporate two inserted ball bearing devices which will both click into position at 45 degree angles. These sunl-,en ball bearing devices will, as they are for most door holding capabilities, be strengthened or relaxed in accordance to driver/pilots requirements.

Figure 14. shows the various types of aircar body to be incorporated with the above Finley inventions.

1. Conventional looking car/aircar.

2. Sporting car configurations.

3. Ralley car configurations.

4. Racing aircars.

5. Single seater racing aircars.

6. Drag racing aircar.

7. the above to be offered in kit form.

Figure 15. shows further use for the Finley aircar design which is to be built with not only flying properties but with ground road motoring and or racing/driving properties for: A. like the Sinclair road transport it is believed that the aircar can become road worthy and will be allowed access to ]tnown road systems incorporating the highway code in much the same way as the Sinclair car and in this way give obvious advantages to this mode of transport. This simply means that the aircar will be able to drive to an advantageous takeoff point, fly to an advantageous landing point and drive to an inneP city or other location.

B. The Finley aircar also has the ability to incorporate ground racing expertize within t'ne confinments of private racing tracks which are to be known as Airenas. ( all aircars, as with all types of vehicles, can be driven on private ground with the permission of the owners of that ground.) By following the conventional heat systems of ranking cars towards an eventual winner, the Finley aircar will also have the advanced properties, for the owners, of incorporating specialised ground racing along with the flying properties of the Finley aircar.This simply means that during adverse weather, or even perfectly calm weather, the aircar can be brought to use for other sporting purposes besides flying and in this way open up the use of this type of flying machine when removed from its rogallo wing.

Figure 15. shows the Finley conception of AIRESXES. These to be similar to standard airports but with the added properties of ground racing tracks for aircars; aircars of various groups as previously indicated will be racing towards an eventual group winner.

The racing can be coupled to aircar flying displays ( depending upon the weather) Figure 17. shows the road grills and covers that will be incorporated into the Finley aircar for obvious safety purposes. This is not a legal requirement but it is felt that for road and racing it is a necessary requirement.

Figure 18. shows the concept of the Finley group numbered Airenas offering an infrastructure to flyers and racers. The Airenas will be ranked major to minor and linked with an over land guidance navigational system that would assist driver/pilots to fly from one Airena to another without the need for advanced navigators skills.

Figure 19. shows a concept of Airena locations with each group major address located on the same map which indicates the group H.O. centres.

Figure 20. shows the wing loading position and the "A" frame support which assists in maintaining the wing position whilst the aircar, with suitable roof opening:a. slide forward. b. detachable roof, c. central opening etc is attached by the POST to the rogallo wing.

Claims (1)

1. TITLE: AIRCRAFT FLEXWING MICROLIGHT CENTRAL CONTROL SYSTEM

   WHICH ALLOWS FOR CAR SIMULATED ENCLOSED POD UNDERCARRIAE FLYINGS.

   FINLEY AIRCAR CLAIMS.

   The claim is that of a fully enclosed micro light aeroplane which is original in its design and invention in that its concept and collective inventions and innovations enables a fully enclosed flying control systems for a micro light aircraft.

   It is to enable this type of aircraft to be controlled from inside an enclosed "undercarriage pod, which to all intents and purposes will be similar to the configuration and driving properties of a car, that this present invention claims to provide.

   THE SPECIFIC E"IB0DIfIENT OF THE INVENTION The proper and.overall embodying concept is in the Request for the Grant Of Patent folder but the following should enhance the actual claims by setting out there distinctive technical features from any other invention.. as requested in your letter dated 3.9.70 of which one month was added due to my absence fron this country.

   CLAIM 3. shows an enclosed body design from which the claimed internal handling of the pitch and roll aerodynamic controls of the rogalla wing are achieved. It is the position of the wing which gives direction to the Finley Aircar and this claim makes obsolete the "A" frame guidance control of existing micro light Flexi (Rogallo)wing flying. ( the drawing shows the conventional mast pole which will be attached to the conventional roggallo wing.) CLAII 5. shows the overall concept of the Finley "pitch control" ( nose up, nose down) which is described aeronautically as the "angle of attack".

   The claim is in the system of control for this activity and the drawing clearly shows the suspension boxes attached to the wires that run to the fore (nose) and aft (tail). This drawing shows also the new claims of how the wires run from the control points (explained later) within the Finley Aircar and which aid the control of the Rogallo wing.

   CLAY:4 6. shows the claim in greater detail and how the Finley "gear stick" pitch control box configuration can move from the neutral gear position. The gear sticks movement forward brings the nose down and how the movement backwards brings the nose up.

   The Finley Gear control will also incorporate fixed positions for ( explained later ) for automatic landing and take of. It also clays that Finley locking system, e(explained later) that is designed to restrict the the flying envelope" to that of the driver / pilots capabilities.

   (Restriction of nose up and nose down of the angle of attack.) CLAIM 7. shows the Finley Pitch Control apparatus in greater detail and this is the claimed system which links the Finley Gear stick positioning to elevator cables which run to suspension boxes and on to the nose and tail of the conventional winO attached to the Finley Aircar. By pushing the gear stick forward or back the driver alters the Rogallo wings angle of attack and thus its flying properties CLAIM 9. shows a conventional steering wheel and column design and in particular claims for two Finley control systems: A. the Finley claimed Rogallo wing roll control system, explained in detail later, which is fixed to a conventional central steering wheel column and allows a system of steer left fly left, steer right fly right control of the Finley Aircar.

   B. the Finley claimed automatic guidance control system, explained in detail later, which fixs the amount of "roll" allowed to the Rogallo wing and incorporates a Finley locking system, explained later, to allow the drivers/pilots capabilities to be matched to the performance of the Finley Aircar. This claimed Finley locking system linits the amount of right and left roll allowed to the driver/pilot. (Turn left - turn right) CLAIM 10. ( concept explained in 9 "A") shows the Finley fixed, to the steering column, roll control grooved wheel configuration to which are attached conventional elevator wires. The claim shows clearly the wires travelling from the outer part of the grooved wheel through conventional flexible fixed wheel pulleys to the left or right wings.The conventional elevator wires will incorporate conventional suspension boxes, as shown, in order to allow the take up of flex wing spasmodic mobility caused by wind turbulence.( Allowing flexibility to wing movements.) CLAIM 11. shows the Finley arrangement of roll control wires to the conventional Rogallo wino.

   CLAIM 12. shows an alternative claim to Claim 10 in that the Finley roll control system is based upon a triangle arrangement fixed to the conventional steering column.

   CLAIMS 13. (concept explained in 9 "B") shows the Finley roll guidance system to conventional Rogallo wing. It indicates the claim of the fixed Finley socket positions which control the amount of left and right roll of the wing allowed to the driver pilot. The claim works on the principal of half submerged conventional ball bearing sockets that click into their "home" by inserting themselves in various sunken and compatible positions within the fixed to chassis outer ring casing which in turn indicates to the driver the position of the wing.

   The various conventional bolts, also fixed to the outer ring casing, screw into this mobile area thereby restricting the movement of the Finley ball bearing steering arrangement. This restricts the movement to left or right thereby controlling the amount of roll allowed to influence the wing and thus controls the angle of wing roll allowed to the driver.