GB912087A - Improvements in or relating to devices for the sustentation of aircraft - Google Patents

Abstract

912,087. Aircraft. BIANCHI, F. March 9, 1959 [March 20, 1958], No. 8070/59. Class 4. An aircraft lifting device comprises a supporting surface having a curved part whose upper surface has a cross-section substantially similar to that of a conventional wing, and means for blowing air at a pressure lower than ambient over the upper surface of the curved portion, to produce a low pressure over said surface. The aircraft shown comprises a superstructure 3 secured to a body 1, the upper annular surface of which has the shape obtained by rotating the trailing part of an aerofoil upper surface about a vertical axis X-X. The superstructure 3 has an air intake 5 variable in area by an axially movable bullet 4, leading to a centrifugal impeller 2 driven by a motor 9. The impeller vanes 6 are shaped so as to deliver air at high speed and at a pressure lower than ambient. Stator vanes 8 normally serve to render the flow of air from the impeller radial, and may be pivoted about axes (not shown), parallel to axis X-X to impart a tangential component to the flow for controlling the aircraft in yaw. The air is delivered through an annular slot to flow over the surface 1 and reduce the pressure over it. Propulsion may be effected by differential operation of an oppositely disposed pair of four equally circumferentially spaced flaps 11 (one shown). The attitude of the aircraft may be controlled by operation of four equally circumferentially spaced flaps 12 (one shown). The impeller 2 may be replaced by an axial-flow fan. The surfaces 11 are then dispensed with, the superstructure being movable relatively to the body 1 instead for control purposes. Pumps with pistons, or a source of compressed gas utilized in an ejector may be used instead of an impeller.