US 12,227,291 B2
Distributed propulsion system for vertical take off and landing closed wing aircraft
Carlos Alexander Fenny, Fort Worth, TX (US); Rohn Lee Olson, Hurst, TX (US); and Andrew James Zahasky, North Richland Hills, TX (US)
Assigned to TEXTRON INNOVATIONS INC., Providence, RI (US)
Filed by TEXTRON INNOVATIONS INC., Providence, RI (US)
Filed on Feb. 14, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/168,683.
Application 18/168,683 is a continuation of application No. 16/920,017, filed on Jul. 2, 2020, granted, now 11,613,355.
Application 16/920,017 is a continuation of application No. 15/593,575, filed on May 12, 2017, granted, now 10,737,786, issued on Aug. 11, 2020.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/336,290, filed on May 13, 2016.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/336,432, filed on May 13, 2016.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/336,363, filed on May 13, 2016.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/336,420, filed on May 13, 2016.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/336,465, filed on May 13, 2016.
Prior Publication US 2023/0382526 A1, Nov. 30, 2023
Int. Cl. B64C 29/02 (2006.01); B64C 1/06 (2006.01); B64C 3/10 (2006.01); B64C 3/16 (2006.01); B64C 11/28 (2006.01); B64C 27/08 (2023.01); B64C 27/12 (2006.01); B64C 27/50 (2006.01); B64C 29/00 (2006.01); B64C 39/02 (2023.01); B64C 39/06 (2006.01); B64D 27/24 (2006.01); B64D 31/00 (2006.01); B64U 10/20 (2023.01); B64U 30/293 (2023.01); B64C 1/00 (2006.01); B64C 39/00 (2023.01); B64D 27/02 (2006.01); B64U 30/10 (2023.01); B64U 50/11 (2023.01); B64U 50/12 (2023.01); B64U 50/19 (2023.01); B64U 60/50 (2023.01)
CPC B64C 29/02 (2013.01) [B64C 1/068 (2013.01); B64C 3/10 (2013.01); B64C 3/16 (2013.01); B64C 11/28 (2013.01); B64C 27/08 (2013.01); B64C 27/12 (2013.01); B64C 27/50 (2013.01); B64C 29/0025 (2013.01); B64C 39/024 (2013.01); B64C 39/06 (2013.01); B64C 39/062 (2013.01); B64D 27/24 (2013.01); B64D 31/00 (2013.01); B64U 10/20 (2023.01); B64U 30/293 (2023.01); B64C 2001/0045 (2013.01); B64C 39/029 (2020.01); B64D 27/026 (2024.01); B64U 30/10 (2023.01); B64U 50/11 (2023.01); B64U 50/12 (2023.01); B64U 50/19 (2023.01); B64U 60/50 (2023.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An aircraft capable of vertical takeoff and landing, stationary flight and forward flight, the aircraft comprising:
a first wing segment and a second wing segment;
a fuselage at least partially disposed between the first wing segment and the second wing segment;
a plurality of spokes coupling the fuselage to the first wing segment and the second wing segment;
a plurality of electric motors attached to the plurality of spokes in a distributed configuration;
a plurality of propellers operably connected to the plurality of electric motors;
a source of power coupled to each of the plurality of electric motors; and
a processor coupled to the plurality of electric motors;
wherein the fuselage extends above the first wing segment, the second wing segment, the plurality of spokes, and the propellers when the aircraft is in vertical takeoff and landing and stationary flight, and
wherein the fuselage is forward of first wing segment, the second wing segment, the plurality of spokes, and the propellers when the aircraft is in forward flight.