US3547384A - Air foil flying device with multiple-stage lift areas - Google Patents

Description

United States Patent [72] Inventor Louis J. Clark 840 Nightingale Ave., Miami Springs, Fla. 33166 [21] Appl. No. 819,612 [22] Filed April 28, 1969 [45] Patented Dec. 15, 1970 [54] AIR FOIL FLYING DEVICE WITH MULTIPLE- STAGE LIFT AREAS 7 Claims, 6 Drawing Figs.

[52] U.S. Cl. 244/154 [51] 1nt.Cl B64c31/06 [50] Field of Search 244/153, 154, 12, 23: 46/(lnquired) [56] References Cited UNlTED STATES PATENTS D17l,327 l/l954 Gould 244/153X 1,734,493 11/1929 Knott 244/153 2,483,614 10/1949 Benson.... 244/153 2,588,293 3/1952 Roe 244/153 Primary Examiner-Milton Buchler Assistant Examiner--Paul E. Sauberer Attorney-John Cyril Malloy ABSTRACT: A tethered flying device in which an annular torus-shaped wing includes lateral dihedral and forward lift sectors defining a primary lift area and a rear horizontal stabilizer area in which a depending vertical stabilizer extends longitudinally beneath a central opening covered by a supplemental tunnel-forming element defining a secondary lift area disposed above the horizontal stabilizer area.

PATENTED 11m 51978 3547384 w VE/U TOR. LOU/S a. CL HRK H TTORA/EX AIR FOIL FLYING DEVICE WITH MULTIPLE-STAGE LIFT AREAS This invention relates generally to an improved tethered device i.e. a kite-type apparatus, and in which an improved torus-shaped airfoil, supplemental lift and vertical stabilizer are provided.

Tethered, aerodynamically sustained craftof the kite type have been heretofore produced in the prior art and these devices have simulated many conventional shapes i.e. airplanes, birds and the like. Additionally, kites in the past have been produced from plastic materials such as polyurethane foam or the like.

Primary objects of the present invention are:

to provide a novel airfoil including primary and supplemental lift sectors;

to provide a novel airfoil in which a torus-shaped wing includes a dihedral and nose sector defining a primary lift area, a trailing portion at another angle providing a horizontal stabilizer, a vertical stabilizer depending below the airfoil and along its longitudinal axis, and a secondary lift area defined by a tunnel-forming elemcnt overlying the central aperture of the airfoil and in essentially trailing relationship with respect to the horizontal stabilizer; to provide a novel airfoil as set forth above in which the tunnel-forming element defines a pair of arcuate tunnel elements merging in a supplemental vertical stabilizer at the upper edge of said depending stabilizer.

These, together with other objects and advantages, will become apparent from a consideration of the following description of an exemplary embodiment when taken in conjunction with the drawing forming a part thereof, and in which:

IN THE DRAWING FIG. I is a perspective view of the novel airfoil;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view; 1

FIG. 3 is a bottom plan view;

FIG. 4 is a rear perspective view;

FIG. 5a is a side elevation illustrating the general attitude of the airfoil when initiallylaunched; and

FIG. 5b is a view similar to FIG. 50 showing the general attitude of the airfoil after it-assumes its general flying attitude.

Before referring to the drawing in detail, the airfoil of the present invention is particularly adapted for use as a kite, however, propulsion means could apparently be utilized. Preferably the airfoil, when used as a kite, is produced from styrofoam or the like, however, other materials could be use.

Referring to FIG. 5a the airfoil is indicated generally at and portions 12 and l4of a tether-line bridle are respectively connected to the forward or nose portion of the air foil and an intermediate portion of the vertical stabilizer, and at their in- Y tersection 16 are connected to a tether-line 18. Assuming that the force of the wind is approximately 5 to. 6 miles per hour, the tether-line 18 will be at approximately 35 with respect to the horizon, and the air will generally assume the paths indicated at A, B and C. As the wind velocity increases up to 10 to 20 miles per hour, the tether-line 18 will assume an angle of approximately 80 with respect to the horizon and the wind as indicated at A, B and C; this causes the airfoil to rise substantially vertically i.e. ascend at approximately 75 to 80, and at times almost at 90 depending upon the wind velocity.

and 24, and at a lesser angle than the nose section 26, is a trailing sector 30 defining the horizontal stabilizer for the air foil. If desired, although not shown, the horizontal stabilizer 30 can be provided with aluminum foil trim tabs or the like to provide variations in the flying attitude of the device. Additionally, as previously mentioned above, supplemental power means such as an elastic-band motor etc. (pusher or puller type) could be utilized with the airfoil of the invention.

Depending from the undersurface of the airfoil 20 along the centerline and longitudinal axis thereof if a vertical stabilizer 32 which is essentially triangular and diverges from the trailing edge of the nose sector 26 below and beyond the horizontal stabilizer 30. I

Overlying the central aperture 28 in an arc of substantially 180, and suitably sealed thereat, is a tunnel-forming element 34 which diverges upwardly and outwardly above and beyond the horizontal stabilizer 30. The tunnel-forming element defines a secondary or supplemental lift area. In the preferred embodiment, the tunnel-forming element 34 comprises two arcuate sections 36 and 38 which are concavo-convex merging'to form a supplemental secondary vertical stabilizer 40 extending into and merging with the upper edge of the vertical stabilizer 32; see FIG. 4.

Although not shown, the tunnel-forming element 34 can also be applied over the central aperture '28, in the same general angular attitude as shown in FIGS. 5a and b for example, but formed only as a single tunnel-forming a supplemental or secondary lift area.

Briefly in review, the air foil or tethered kite is essentially a shallow truncated or frustoconical shaped disc having a central aperture through which air will pass and engage the undersurface of a supplemental lift area. The primary lift area comprises lateral sectors 22 and 24 in conjunction with the forward or nose sector, 26 and the trailing part of the disc 30 comprises the horizontal stabilizer or-elevator". Supplemental lift tabs can be incorporated on the horizontal stabilizer.

It will be observed that many tethered flying devices are relatively heavy at the top or forward end. in the present invention, when used, as a tethered flying device, the weighted rear end of the flying device is heavier than the forward end i.e. the airfoil is weighted aft and the supplemental lift area causes the device to rise substantially vertically.

The actual flying attitude of the device when tethered is illustrated in FIGS. 5a and 5b, at initial .launching it ascends with the tether-line at approximately 35 with respect to the horizon, and rapidly reaches an angle of 80,and when the fly- Referring to FIGS. 1-4 the airfoil or tethered kite as indicated generally at 10 comprises a truncated or frustoconical primary wing 20 which is essentially torus-shaped i.e. having'a "doughnutlike"configuration. The primary-wing 20 includes lateral, angularly related sectors 22 and 24 which define a dihedral angle with respect to the center line or longitudinal axis of the wing or airfoil. The airfoil 20 also includes a forward, upwardly angled nose sector 26 which combines the sectors 22 and 24 to provide the primary lift area of the airfoil.

As previously mentioned, the airfoil 20; see HO. 3, is torusshaped and has a substantially centrally located aperture 28 thereth'rough. Rearwardly of the dihedrally related sectors 22 ing device is retrieved, it tends to descend generally overhead and at substantially with respect to the horizon.

The device can be used as a kite for amusement of children, for example; however, is particularly practical as a rescue signal device and/or to elevate an emergency radio antenna, since it can be readily launched at relatively low wind velocities due to the multilift areas which supplement each other.

i claim: i. A tethered flying device comprising:

a body member of a relatively light sheet material having a longitudinal axis; said body member having a substantially annular, torus wing having angularly disposed, lateral sectors defining a dihedral angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the body member;

said annular wing including a forward, upwardly angled nose sector defining with said lateral sectors a primary lift area;

said wing including a trailing, upwardly angled sector disposed at a lesser angle than said nose sector and comprising a horizontal stabilizer, a vertical stabilizer depending beneath said body member along said longitudinal axis;

said wing including a substantially central aperture; and

a tunnel element overlying the central aperture of said wing and closing a forward portion thereof;

said tunnel element projecting above said trailing sector and defining a secondary lift area downstream of and supplementing said primary lift area.

2. A flying device as set forth in claim 1 in which said vertical stabilizer is essentially triangular and diverges angularly from the forward nose sector rearwardly ben'eath said trailing sector.

3. The structure as claimed in claim 1 in which said tunnel element is arcuate and defines at least one tunnel above said horizontal stabilizer and opening rearwardly.

4. A flying device as set forth in claim 1 in which said tunnel element includes a medial secondary vertical stabilizer portion having a substantially V-shaped cross section and terminating at and integral with the upper edge of said vertical stabilizer extending diametrically above the central aperture of said wing.

5. The structure as claimed in claim 4 in which said tunnel element defines two lift-tunnels flanking said secondary vertical stabilizer.

6. The structure as claimed in claim 5 in which said two lifttunnels are arcuate.

7. in a flying device, an airfoil:

said air foil being substantially annular and having a torusshape including angularly disposed, lateral sectors defining a dihedral angle relative to the longitudinal axis of said airfoil;

said airfoil including a forward. upwardly angled nose sector defining with said lateral sectors a primary lift area;

said airfoil including a trailing. upwardly angled sector disposed at a lesser angle than said nose sector and comprising a horizontal stabilizer;

a vertical stabilizer depending beneath said body member and along said longitudinal axis;

said airfoil including a substantially central aperture through which air will pass and beneath which said vertical stabilizer extends diametrically; and

a tunnel element overlying said central aperture of said air foil enclosing a forward portion of said aperture;

said tunnel element projecting above said trailing sector and defining a secondary lift area downstream of and supplementing said primary lift area.

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