US 12,330,799 B2
Aircraft tow system with forward thrust gain
Doron Appelboim, Snoqualmie, WA (US)
Filed by Doron Appelboim, Snoqualmie, WA (US)
Filed on Feb. 9, 2024, as Appl. No. 18/438,341.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/444,238, filed on Feb. 9, 2023.
Prior Publication US 2024/0270387 A1, Aug. 15, 2024
Int. Cl. B64D 3/00 (2006.01); B64U 10/25 (2023.01); B64U 50/19 (2023.01)
CPC B64D 3/00 (2013.01) [B64U 10/25 (2023.01); B64U 50/19 (2023.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A cargo transport system, comprising:
an engine powered tractor aircraft;
at least one unmanned autonomous towed aircraft, wherein the towed aircraft includes a body with left and right wings positioned on opposing sides of the body;
at least one towing element connecting the towed aircraft to the tractor aircraft;
at least one lift generating surface positioned at a distal end of both the left and right wings, wherein the at least one lift generating surface is configured to provide positive forward thrust gain for the towed aircraft when the at least one lift generating surface is positioned at a specified attack angle in a portion of a wake turbulence of the tractor aircraft; and
an autopilot system configured to control the position of the towed aircraft behind the tractor aircraft and the attack angles of the lift generating surfaces such that the lift generating surfaces on the towed aircraft gain positive forward thrust for the towed aircraft from a wake turbulence of the tractor aircraft.