GB2549252A

GB2549252A - Airborne vehicle

Info

Publication number: GB2549252A
Application number: GB1603468.8A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Hatcher William
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2016-02-29
Filing date: 2016-02-29
Publication date: 2017-10-18
Anticipated expiration: 2036-02-29
Also published as: GB2549252B; GB201603468D0

Abstract

An airborne vehicle (fig.1,10) has a propulsion system with a pair of motion inducing members 18 such as paddles, one on each side of the vehicle, which are driven by a drive arrangement 32,34,36 so that they simultaneously rotate and flap to provide thrust. Preferably the paddles are substantially planar and rotate about a transverse axis so that two flaps are completed for each complete rotation. The drive arrangement may include a pair of cranked connections onto which the paddles are mounted at an incline to the axis of rotation; the degree of inclination of each paddle may be manually controlled separately by a pilot in use. Front and rear propellers 42,48 may be provided on a longitudinal axle (fig.1,46) of the vehicle. The propellers may be driven by an internal combustion engine 56 which also drives an electric generator 58. The generator may be used to charge a rechargeable power source of an electric motor 36 used in the drive arrangement. The propellers may be located within casings 44,70 having inlets 64,72 and outlets 68,74 with controllable flaps 66,76 to vary their extent and/or orientation.

Description

Airborne Vehicle

This invention concerns an airborne vehicle, and particularly a pilotable airborne vehicle. A number of prior manoeuverable airborne vehicles, and particularly pilotable such vehicles which can carry a person have been proposed, and one such vehicle is a “hover bike”. This type of vehicle includes two, three or four propellers, each generally mounted about respective vertical axes. Such vehicles can be manoeuvered by adjusting the respective motor speeds and centre of gravity of the vehicle. Successful versions of these vehicles however tend to be quite large and do not handle easily when in flight.

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided an airborne vehicle, the vehicle including a propulsion system with a pair of motion inducing members, one on each side of the vehicle, and a drive arrangement which is operatively engageable with the motion inducing members to cause such members to simultaneously rotate and flap, to provide downwards and forwards thrust.

The drive arrangement may provide substantially transverse axes about which the motion inducing members are rotatable.

The drive arrangement may be configured such that two flaps of the motion inducing members are provided for each complete rotation thereof.

The drive arrangement may include a pair of rotatable cranked connection members, with a cranked end of each connection member mounting a respective motion inducing member, such that the motion inducing member is inclined relative to the axes of rotation, and the remainder of the cranked connection members may be coaxial with the axis of rotation.

The motion inducing members may be at least generally planar, and may be substantially planar.

The drive arrangement may be controllable in use such that the inclination of each of the cranked connection members can be controlled as required, and separate manual engageable control members may be provided for each cranked connection member. A first motor may be provided for powering the drive arrangement, and the motor may be electrical, and may include a rechargeable power source. A casing may be provided around the motion inducing members to direct air flow therefrom.

The vehicle may also include a front propeller located in front of the motion inducing members.

The vehicle may also include a rear propeller located behind the motion inducing members.

The front and/or rear propellers may be mounted on longitudinal axes.

The front and/or rear propellers may be drivable by a second motor arrangement, which second motor arrangement may include an internal combustion engine.

The second motor arrangement may include an electric motor. The electric motor may be configured to be operable as a generator to be driven by the internal combustion engine, and the generator may charge the rechargeable power source of the first motor.

The second motor arrangement may include a clutch to permit selective rotation of the front and/or rear propellers. A throttle may be provided to permit the power applied by the internal combustion engine to be varied. A propeller casing may be provided around the front and/or rear propellers. Inlets and outlets may be provided for the propeller casing, and control arrangements may be provided for at least some of the inlets and outlets to vary the extent and/or orientation of the respective inlet or outlets. The control arrangements may include a plurality of adjustable flaps.

According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided a pilotable airbourne vehicle, the vehicle being according to any of the preceding fifteen paragraphs.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:-

Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional plan view of an airborne vehicle according to the invention in a first position;

Fig. 2 is a similar view to Fig. 1 but in a second position;

Fig. 3 is a perspective diagrammatic front view of the vehicle of Fig. 1 from beneath, with a number of features removed for clarity in the first condition;

Fig. 4 is a perspective front view of the vehicle from above in a similar form to Fig. 3 but in the second position.

Fig. 5 is a front perspective view from beneath of the vehicle in the condition shown in Fig. 3 showing a first position of the vehicle;

Fig. 6 is a diagrammatic front view of the vehicle in the condition shown in Fig. 3 in a further sequential position from Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is a diagrammatic front perspective view from above of the vehicle in the condition shown in Fig. 3 in a further sequential position from Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is a diagrammatic front perspective view from above of the vehicle in the condition shown in Fig. 3 in a further sequential position from that shown in Fig. 7;

Figs. 9-12 are respectively diagrammatic side views of the vehicle in corresponding positions to Figs. 5-8;

Figs. 13-16 are diagrammatic perspective views of a few of the components of the invention in the respective position shown in Figs. 5-8;

Fig. 17 is a diagrammatic rear perspective view of the apparatus of Fig. 1;

Fig. 18 is a further diagrammatic rear perspective view of the apparatus of Fig. 1;

Figs. 19 and 20 are similar diagrammatic cross-sectional side views showing the apparatus of Fig. 1 in two different conditions; and

Fig. 21 is a diagrammatic side view of the vehicle of Fig. 1.

The drawings show a pilotable airborne vehicle 10. The vehicle 10 has a main longitudinal frame member 12 extending from front to back. A drive arrangement 14 is located towards the front of the vehicle 10 and includes a hollow rectangular frame part 16.

The drive arrangement 14 includes a pair of motion inducing members, each in the form of a substantially planar paddle member 18, one on each side of the frame part 16. Each paddle member 18 is mounted on the cranked end 20 of a respective cranked member 22, the remainder main part 24 of each cranked member 22 rotatingly extends transversely into the frame part 16. A first connecting part 26 extends from the cranked end 20 to connect to a generally mid-part of the paddle member 18. A transverse sleeve 28 is mounted to and extends perpendicularly to the main part 24 of the cranked member 22. The transverse sleeve 28 mounts linking members 30 at each end which also connect to the paddle member 18 on each side thereof.

As indicated the opposite ends to the cranked ends 20 of the cranked members 22, extend into the frame part 16 and are rotatingly supported therein. Wheels 32 on the cranked members 22 mount respective belts 34 which are rotatable by an electric motor/generator 36 mounted on a lower part of the frame part 16, towards the front thereof. A pair of control members 38 are provided, one on each side of the frame part 16. The control members 38 are inclined forwards and each provide a respective control handle 40 for a purpose hereinafter to be described. The control members 38 can be rotated forward to adjust the thrust provided by the drive arrangement 14.

In use, rotation of the wheels 32 by the electric motor 36 through the belts 34 will cause paddle members 18 to rotate and also flap up and down, and this configuration provides for two flaps for each complete rotation. Accordingly the paddle members will adopt the orientations shown in Figs. 1 and 2 twice in each rotation thereof. A front propeller 42 is provided in a casing 44 in front of the frame part 16 and is drivable by an axle 46 rotatingly mounted on the frame member 12 and extending to the rear of the vehicle 10. A rear propeller 48 is provided at the rear end of the frame member 12. Immediately behind the rear propeller is a clutch arrangement 50 on the rear of the drive axle 46, with a clutch pad 52 operatively engageable with a similar clutch pad 54 on the rear end of the drive axle 46. A petrol motor 56 at the rear of the vehicle 10 can turn the drive axle 46 and hence the front and rear propellers 42, 48 through the clutch arrangement 50. Connected to the petrol motor 56 is an electric motor/generator 58, which can either drive the drive axle 46, or act as a generator being driven by the petrol motor 56 so as to recharge the power supply for the electric motor 36. A downwardly open casing 60 is provided around the paddle members 18 such that the air flow from the paddle members 18 can be pushed downwardly and rearwardly therefrom to provide downward and forward thrust.

The front casing 44 is provided around the front propeller 42, and has an inlet 64 at a lower front part thereof, with adjustable flaps 66 to selectively partially or substantially close the inlet 64. The front casing 62 has rearwardly and outwardly extending outlets 68. A rear casing 70 is provided around the rear propeller 48. The rear casing 70 includes an upwards and forward facing inlet 72 and a downwardly and rearwardly facing outlet 74, with a plurality of selectively adjustable flaps 76 extending across the outlet 74, to selectively partially or wholly close the outlet 74, and/or to direct the air flow therefrom.

In use the vehicle 10 can be piloted as follows, and for instance an appropriate seat may be provided at a position corresponding to that shown at 78 in Fig. 17. By using the electric motor 36 the paddle members 18 can be driven to provide upwards and forwards thrust thereby driving the vehicle 10 forwards and upwards or downwards as required. Control may be provided using the control members 38, and the right hand control handle 40 provides clutch control, whilst the left hand control handle 40 provides throttle control.

The front and rear propellers 42, 48 are driven using the petrol motor 56, and controlled using the control handles as indicated above. The respective flaps 66, 76 can be controlled across the inlets 64 and outlets 74 as shown.

In Fig. 19 the vehicle 10 is shown in a hover phase. The flaps 66 close the front inlet 64 such that the front propellor has no effect. Lift is provided at the front of the vehicle 10 by the drive arrangement 14. Lift is provided at the rear of the vehicle 10 by the rear propellor 48 which directs air downwardly through the open flaps 76. The amount of lift provided by the rear propellor 48 can be controlled by the control handle 40 providing throttle control. This will have the effect of lowering or lifting the tail of the vehicle 10, allowing the vehicle to be stabilised by a pilot.

Fig. 20 shows the vehicle 10 in a drive phase. The control levers 38 are pushed forward such that the drive arrangement 14 provides some lift and some forward thrust. The angle of thrust can be given a nominal angle of 45°. The front flaps 66 can be adjusted by the the control levers 38 to enable this drive phase. The vents 66 are open such that air can be drawn in through the inlet 64 and expelled both rearwardly and downwardly to create both lift and forward thrust. Again this angle of thrust can be given a nominal value of 45°.

As the control levers 38 are pushed forward, the rear flaps 76 are opened as required to provide lift and thrust to the rear of the vehicle, and again the angle of this lift and thrust can be at a nominal value of 45°. Whilst in flight the tail of the vehicle 10 can be controlled so as to climb and provide a diving effect at the front of the vehicle 10. Alternatively the vehicle can be controlled such that the front is raised to provide a climbing effect. This is achieved using the control handle 40 as a throttle lever to control the speed of the rear propellor 48 and thus the air expelled through the rear outlet 74.

The vehicle 10 can be steered to the left or right by respective movement of the control members 38 to adjust the respective forward thrust on each side applied by the drive arrangement 14.

As indicated the propellers 42, 48 could be powered by the electric motor 36 as opposed to the petrol motor 56. Alternatively the petrol motor 56 could be run, and the electric motor/generator 58 could operate as a generator to recharge the rechargeable power supply for the vehicle 10. This dual power arrangement, and with the rotational flapping movement of the paddle members, provides for significant manoeuvrability. Also the dual power, and dual drive arrangements provide for added security in the instance that one power supply could for instance fail during flight.

Various modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. For instance the paddle members can take a different form and/or could be differently mounted. The casing may take a different form, as could the front and rear propellers and their mounting.

Whilst endeavouring in the foregoing specification to draw attention to those features of the invention believed to be of particular importance it should be understood that the Applicant claims protection in respect of any patentable feature or combination of features hereinbefore referred to and/or shown in the drawings whether or not particular emphasis has been placed thereon.

Claims

1. An airborne vehicle, the vehicle including a propulsion system with a pair of motion inducing members, one on each side of the vehicle, and a drive arrangement which is operatively engageable with the motion inducing members to cause such members to simultaneously rotate and flap, to provide downwards and forwards thrust.

2. An airborne vehicle according to claim 1, in which the drive arrangement provides substantially transverse axes about which the motion inducing members are rotatable.

3. An airborne vehicle according to claims 1 or 2, in which the drive arrangement is configured such that two flaps of the motion inducing members are provided for each complete rotation thereof.

4. An airborne vehicle according any of the preceding claims, in which the drive arrangement includes a pair of rotatable cranked connection members, with a cranked end of each connection member mounting a respective motion inducing member, such that the motion inducing member is inclined relative to the axes of rotation.

5. An airborne vehicle according to claim 4, in which the remainder of the cranked connection members are coaxial with the axis of rotation.

6. An airborne vehicle according to any of the preceding claims, in which the motion inducing members are at least generally planar.

7. An airborne vehicle according to any of the preceding claims, in which the motion inducing members are substantially planar.

8. An airborne vehicle according to any of claims 4 to 7, in which the drive arrangement is controllable in use such that the inclination of each of the cranked connection members can be controlled as required.

9. An airborne vehicle according to any of claims 4 to 8, in which separate manual engageable control members are provided for each cranked connection member.

10. An airborne vehicle according to any of the preceding claims, in which a first motor is provided for powering the drive arrangement.

11. An airborne vehicle according to claim 10, in which the motor is electrical.

12. An airborne vehicle according to claim 11, in which the motor includes a rechargeable power source.

13. An airborne vehicle according to any of the preceding claims, in which a casing is provided around the motion inducing members to direct air flow therefrom.

14. An airborne vehicle according to any of the preceding claims, in which the vehicle includes a front propeller located in front of the motion inducing members.

15. An airborne vehicle according to any of the preceding claims, in which the vehicle includes a rear propeller located behind the motion inducing members.

16. An airborne vehicle according to claims 14 or 15, in which the front and/or rear propellers are mounted on longitudinal axes.

17. An airborne vehicle according to any of claims 14 to 16, in which the front and/or rear propellers are drivable by a second motor arrangement.

18. An airborne vehicle according to claim 17, in which the second motor arrangement includes an internal combustion engine.

19. An airborne vehicle according to claims 17 or 18, in which the second motor arrangement includes an electric motor.

20. An airborne vehicle according to claim 19, in which the electric motor is configured to be operable as a generator to be driven by the internal combustion engine.

21. An airborne vehicle according to claim 20 when dependent on claim 12, in which the generator charges the rechargeable power source of the first motor.

22. An airborne vehicle according to any of claims 17 to 21, in which the second motor arrangement includes a clutch to permit selective rotation of the front and/or rear propellers.

23. An airborne vehicle according to any of claims 18 to 22, in which a throttle is provided to permit the power applied by the internal combustion engine to be varied.

24. An airborne vehicle according to any of claims 14 to 23, in which a propeller casing is provided around the front and/or rear propellers.

25. An airborne vehicle according to claim 24, in which inlets and outlets are provided for the propeller casing.

26. An airborne vehicle according to claim 25, in which control arrangements are provided for at least some of the inlets and outlets to vary the extent and/or orientation of the respective inlet or outlets.

27. An airborne vehicle according to claim 26, in which the control arrangements include a plurality of adjustable flaps.

28. A pilotable airborne vehicle, the vehicle being according to any of the preceding claims.

29. Any novel subject matter or combination including novel subject matter disclosed herein, whether or not within the scope of or relating to the same invention as any of the preceding claims.