WO2010062274A1

WO2010062274A1 - Sky sailer

Info

Publication number: WO2010062274A1
Application number: PCT/TR2009/000133
Authority: WO
Inventors: Huseyin Yavuz Kocaova
Original assignee: Huseyin Yavuz Kocaova
Priority date: 2008-11-03
Filing date: 2009-11-03
Publication date: 2010-06-03
Also published as: TR200808268A2

Abstract

This invention is a manned or unmanned and remote controlled airborne sailing ship with parafoils as the lifting wings. Sky Sailer (1) can provide precious maneuvering capability and lifting capacity. Additionally, Sky Sailer (1) prevents the deflation of parafoils (2) during the adverse weather conditions.

Description

DESCRIPTION SKY SAILER

Technical Introduction This invention is a manned or unmanned airborne sailing vehicle with a paraglider (parafoil) as the carrying wing.

Previous Technology

The paraglider is a competitive and recreational air sport performed by free flying parafoil (ram-air airfoil). In the aeronautical engineering the paraglider is considered as an ultra light aircraft and called as the lightest flying vehicle in its category. Due to the constantly improving aerodynamic capabilities, the paraglider differs from the free parachutes and is considered as a vehicle designed to fly like the gliders and delta wings.

The hang gliders or with a different terminology the delta wing is a combination of the paraglider and the sailplane. Because of its rigid frame the delta wing has more durable structure against turbulence.

FR2845968 numbered French patent document defines a paraglider. The subject paraglider is designed to be inflated by the pressure of the incoming air (ram-air pressure). The airfoil shape is maintained by means of the series of valves system relieving the overpressure. Each valve consists of spaces with claps inside. The pressure level inside the paraglider could be adjusted by means of the movement of the supporting equipment.

In case the wing does not face the wind and the shape of the wing could not be maintained by the moving air, accidents might occur during the landings and take offs. The winds and turbulence in the air may also cause wing collapses (deflation) and accidents.

Brief Description of the Invention

The purpose of the invention is to develop an aircraft with precise maneuverability, high payload, low stall speed, short landing and takeoff capabilities and easy installation/dismounting features. The detailed description of the invention

"Sky Sailer" has been designed to meet the above criteria. The invention is illustrated thru the below Drawings:

Drawing 1. shows the perspective model of the subject invention. Drawing 2. shows another application of the subject invention.

The parts are numbered individually on the drawings and the numbers are identified below:

1. Sky Sailer (Hypersail)

2. Parafoil

3. Frame

4. Wing 5. Ropes

6. Engine

7. Propeller

8. Cabinet

9. Landing gears 10. Wheel

1 1. Dome parachute

As the basic configuration of the invention, Sky Sailer would be constituted by at least:

— One parafoil (2) inflated by the running air that lifts the entire vehicle in the air — One frame (3) that carries all the parts

— Two wings (4) which are fixed to the frame (3) with the parafoils (2) tied by steel ropes (5)

— One cabinet (8) for manned and unmanned flights.

— Landing gear (9) for landing and take off of Sky Sailer (1) on the land or water.

The parafoils (2) that are placed inside the wings (4) of Sky Sailer (1) are tied together by means of the ropes (5). The lifting capacity of Sky Sailer (1) could be increased by placing one or more parafoils (2) that have special design and made of special fabric, inside the wings (4). The parafoils (2) can be made of mylar-carbon reinforced nylon and/or polyester fabric. Additionally the parafoils (2) can also be made of kevlar and dacron material. In Drawing 2 tieing up of the parafoils (2) on the frame (3) thru the multiple points ensures the adjustment of the height of the parafoils (2) and increases the stability. Additionally, by means of tieing the ropes to the apparatus (A) placed on the frame (3) of the invention Sky Sailer (1), the height of the parafoils (2) could be decreased. The process of decreasing the height of the parafoils provides (2) more stable movement of Sky Sailer (1). In a different preferred configuration of Sky Sailer (1), the lifting capacity could be increased by adding subject apparatus' (A) one after the other.

The lifting capacity of Sky Sailer (1) can also be increased by placement of the parafoils (2) between the wings (4) in rows or by addition of the group of parafoils (2) side by side or one on another. The lifting capacity could simply be increased by addition of parafoils (2). Additionally, the subject invention Sky Sailer could be utilized with a delta-wing on it, in place of the parafoils (2).

The parafoils (2), the wings (4) that prevents the deflation of the parafoils (2), the propeller (7) and the propeller (7) drive engine (6) are all placed on the frame (3). The frame is made of light and strong aluminum alloy, carbon fiber or a mixture of both.

The wings (4) that prevents the collapse of the parafoils (2) in the air constitute the most important part of the vehicle. The basic shape of the parafoils is maintained by the wings (4) on the frame (3), the steel ropes (5) between the wings (4) and by the dynamically stretching strings (not shown on the drawings) that ties the parafoils to the steel ropes.

The engine (6) and the propeller (7) are located at the aft section of the Sky Sailer (1) frame (3). The engine (6) and the propeller (7) speeds up the "yaw, pitch, roll/bank" 4 directional maneuverability and the pitch rates could be increased.

The dome parachute (11) is preferably placed on the wing (4) at the aft section of the frame (3) for the emergency utilization. The chute is activated for safe landing of Sky Sailer (1) in the cases that the engine (6) or the parafoils (2) are failed. In case of such emergencies, the deflation preventing wings (4) are closed to allow the safe operation of the dome parachute (11). The cabinet (8) is preferably placed underneath the frame (3) of Sky Sailer (1). The cabinet could be utilized for both manned and unmanned operations. During the unmanned missions, Sky Sailer (1) is vectored by means of radio control. Inside the cabinet (8), there exist the engine -flight controls and the other electronic controls such as "emergency" . Additionally, inside the cab there exist the instrument panels indicating the speed, altitude and position information of Sky Sailer (1) and also the required equipment for the remote control such as CCTV, thermal image intensifϊer, transducers etc. The manned cabin configuration of the invention will also have all the characteristics of the unmanned cabin together with the instrument and control panel for the visual flights and also contain seats for the crew and passengers and a kitchenette if required. The crew and cargo capacity will be defined according to the configuration of Sky Sailer (1). The emergency equipment such as the fire extinguishing and oxygen systems will be in accordance with the ICAO regulations.

In order to allow Sky Sailer (1) to land and cruise on the water, there will be catamaran type rigid inflated or fiberglass landing gears (9) with the cabinet (8) installed above. In case the weight needs to be increased, the fiberglass landing gears (10) are filled with water. Underneath the landing gear. Sky Sailer (1) has got the wheels for the safe landing on to the ground. The wheels (10) are made of stainless or composite material. Additionally in order to steer Sky Sailer (1) on the water, there exist the water rudder (not shown on the drawings). The water rudder is fold during the flight of Sky Sailer.

In cases that Sky Sailer is not operational, the downwards and rotating movement of the deflation preventing wings (4) will be decreasing the height of Sky Sailer (1). Therefore, Sky Sailer (1) can be stored in small areas and low storage.

The invention Sky Sailer (1) could be manufactured with very low costs and could fly at any desired altitude. By increasing the number of parafoils on Sky Sailer (1), the carrying capacity could be increased. By means of the equipment to be attached, Sky Sailer could support the night and infiltration operations. Sky Sailer (1) could land on to the ground or water without harming the passenger or pay load by means of the landing gear (9) and the wheels (10). In addition. It could fly in any adverse flight environment and land in emergency cases safely by the on board engine (6) and the dome parachute (11).

The invention subject, Sky Sailer (1) is explained by sampled and illustrated by drawings for more comprehensive introduction. However, the concept of the invention cannot be limited by these samples or drawings. The experts on the technology could also develop different configurations that are based the basic principles of the invention.

Claims

1. At least one parafoil (2) that lifts the vehicle in the air by means of running air.

— One frame (3) to carry the related parts and equipment

— One cabin for manned and unmanned operations (8) ,

— landing gear (9) for the safe landing on to the water and land

— the wheels (10) placed underneath the landing gear (9)

— At least one rope (5) to tie down the parafoils (2)

— At least two rigid wings(4) that steel ropes (5) strained in between to hang the parafoils (2) which are connected to the frame(3)

— The engine (6) and the propeller (7) increasing the "yaw, pitch, roll/bank" 4 directional maneuverability and the pitch rates.

— Sky Sailer (1) characterized by the dome parachute (11) to be activated for safe landing for emergency cases.

2. Sky Sailer (1) characterized by the claim 1 with the wings (4) that prevents the collapse of the parafoils (2) , the steel ropes (5) between the wings (4) and the dynamically stretching strings (not shown on the drawings) that ties the parafoils to the steel ropes.

3. Sky Sailer (1) characterized by any of the configurations above with the multiple parafoils (2) for increasing the lifting capacity.

4. Sky Sailer (1) characterized by any of the configurations above with the apparatus (A) tied to the parafoils (2)

5. Sky Sailer (1) characterized by any of the configurations above with the dome parachute (11) placed on the wing (4) at the aft section of the frame (3)