US 12,221,210 B2
Wing-in-ground effect vehicles and uses thereof
Kelly A. Echols, Monett, MO (US); and Randall Petersen, Salt Lake City, UT (US)
Assigned to LeVanta Tech Inc., Springfield, MO (US)
Filed by LeVanta Tech LLC, Monett, MO (US)
Filed on Oct. 25, 2022, as Appl. No. 18/049,588.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/368,335, filed on Jul. 13, 2022.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/335,221, filed on Apr. 27, 2022.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/271,589, filed on Oct. 25, 2021.
Prior Publication US 2023/0127417 A1, Apr. 27, 2023
Int. Cl. B64C 35/00 (2006.01); B60F 5/02 (2006.01); B63B 79/10 (2020.01); B64C 1/26 (2006.01); B64C 3/14 (2006.01); B64C 3/38 (2006.01); B64C 9/24 (2006.01)
CPC B64C 35/006 (2013.01) [B60F 5/02 (2013.01); B63B 79/10 (2020.01); B64C 1/26 (2013.01); B64C 3/14 (2013.01); B64C 3/38 (2013.01); B64C 9/24 (2013.01)] 16 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A flying vehicle comprising:
an airframe operatively connected to one or more blowers;
an airfoil comprising;
an upper surface and a lower surface extending laterally along a leading edge to first and second arcuate wingtips defining a concave region bounded by the lower surface of the airfoil;
a channel extending from the upper surface to the lower surface of the airfoil;
a front flap pivotably attached to the leading edge, wherein the front flap is configured to seal against the leading edge when the front flap is extended downward and operating to trap fluid in the concave region when the airfoil is operating in a hovercraft mode, and wherein the front flap is configured to tuck up against the upper side of the lower surface of the airfoil when the airfoil is operating as a wing in a flight mode; wherein the airfoil is operatively connected to the airframe via the upper surface of the airfoil, and wherein the channel is in fluidic communication with at least one of the one or more blowers.