GB900095A - Air-craft having an annular wing and a propulsion means fitted into the latter - Google Patents

Abstract

900,095. Annular-wing aircraft. BINDER, W. Oct. 20, 1958, No. 33470/58. Class 4. An aircraft has an annular wing of aerodynamic profile, a propeller propulsion unit located within the annular wing for causing airflow therethrough, and control surfaces located in the path of a part of the air stream from the propulsion unit which does not flow over the control surfaces, the flaps being so arranged that they may be caused to deflect the latter part of the air stream downwardly to convert the propulsion force into a lifting force for slow-speed flight. The aircraft comprises an annular wing 1 having its leading and trailing edges inclined rearwardly, the lateral portions of the wing being bridged by plane upper and lower surfaces provided with trailing edge flaps 8 and 9 respectively, the upper surface providing a support for a power plant 3 driving contra-rotating propellers 4. The annular wing supports at its lower surface a cabin 2 and tail booms 11 which carry a tail structure 10 provided with an elevator 6 and fins 7. Flaps 8 and 9 and elevator 6 may be set as shown in Fig. 2a to assist in take-off at a steep angle of attack or in hovering flight and flaps 8 may be operated differentially to provide an aileron effect. The annular wing may extend forwardly in the form of a scoop with lateral plane extensions with tail control surfaces in the trailing edge of the wing and the tail unit may be of T or annular section. The engine may be supported from the base of the annular wing by pylons and in one embodiment a tubular wing, with lateral plane extensions, houses a gas turbine engine, the outlet from the wing being provided with deflector flaps to provide vertical lift.