US 12,006,034 B2
Articulated electric propulsion system and lightweight vertical take-off and landing aircraft using same
JoeBen Bevirt, Santa Cruz, CA (US); and Alex Stoll, Santa Cruz, CA (US)
Assigned to Joby Aero, Inc., Santa Cruz, CA (US)
Filed by Joby Aero, Inc., Santa Cruz, CA (US)
Filed on Aug. 30, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/898,488.
Application 17/898,488 is a continuation of application No. 16/436,812, filed on Jun. 10, 2019, granted, now 11,453,490.
Application 16/436,812 is a continuation of application No. 14/660,838, filed on Mar. 17, 2015, granted, now 10,315,760, issued on Jun. 11, 2019.
Application 14/660,838 is a continuation in part of application No. 14/218,845, filed on Mar. 18, 2014, granted, now 9,694,911.
Prior Publication US 2023/0137714 A1, May 4, 2023
Int. Cl. B64C 29/00 (2006.01); B64C 7/02 (2006.01); B64C 11/28 (2006.01); B64C 27/08 (2023.01); B64C 27/28 (2006.01); B64C 27/30 (2006.01); B64C 39/06 (2006.01); B64D 27/24 (2006.01)
CPC B64C 29/0033 (2013.01) [B64C 7/02 (2013.01); B64C 11/28 (2013.01); B64C 27/08 (2013.01); B64C 27/28 (2013.01); B64C 27/30 (2013.01); B64C 39/068 (2013.01); B64D 27/24 (2013.01); Y02T 50/60 (2013.01)] 16 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A vertical take-off and landing aircraft, said vertical take-off and landing aircraft comprising:
a left wing, said left wing comprising a plurality of left side propulsion assemblies; and
a right wing, said right wing comprising a plurality of right side propulsion assemblies, wherein said propulsion assemblies comprise a stowable propeller system, said stowable propeller system comprising:
a central hub, said central hub comprising a first rotation axis;
a drive motor, said drive motor rigidly coupled to said central hub; and
a plurality of stowable propeller blades, said plurality of stowable propeller blades pivotally attached to said central hub, said stowable propeller blades comprising blade tips at an end away from said central hub,
wherein one or more of said plurality of left side propulsion assemblies further comprise an alternate forward flight propeller, and wherein one or more of said plurality of right side propulsion assemblies further comprise an alternate forward flight propeller.