US 12,110,846 B2
Mechanically-distributed propulsion drivetrain and architecture
Gary Richard Papas, Manassas, VA (US); Neil Titchener, Manassas, VA (US); Brian M. Yutko, Manassas, VA (US); Clint Church, Manassas, VA (US); and Jian Long Tian, Manassas, VA (US)
Assigned to Aurora Flight Sciences Corporation, a subsidiary of The Boeing Company, Manassas, VA (US)
Filed by Aurora Flight Sciences Corporation, Manassas, VA (US)
Filed on May 27, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/332,085.
Application 17/332,085 is a continuation of application No. 16/117,305, filed on Aug. 30, 2018, granted, now 11,142,330.
Prior Publication US 2021/0284352 A1, Sep. 16, 2021
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. F02K 3/062 (2006.01); B64C 1/16 (2006.01); B64C 21/01 (2023.01); B64D 27/14 (2006.01); B64D 33/04 (2006.01); B64D 35/00 (2006.01); F16H 1/22 (2006.01); F16H 37/06 (2006.01)
CPC F02K 3/062 (2013.01) [B64C 1/16 (2013.01); B64C 21/01 (2023.01); B64D 27/14 (2013.01); B64D 33/04 (2013.01); B64D 35/00 (2013.01); F16H 1/222 (2013.01); F16H 37/065 (2013.01)] 15 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An aerial vehicle system comprising:
a fuselage having a forward end and an aft end;
a first propulsor fan integrated at the aft end of said fuselage, the aft end of said fuselage being shaped with a geometry to direct a boundary layer flowing over the fuselage to the first propulsor fan;
a first direction-reversing transmission configured to receive a first mechanical drive power and to redirect the first mechanical drive power from a first direction to a second direction to drive the first propulsor fan;
a first engine configured to expel a first exhaust toward the forward end of the aircraft;
a second propulsor fan integrated at the aft end of said fuselage;
a second direction-reversing transmission configured to receive a second mechanical drive power and to redirect the second mechanical drive power from the first direction to the second direction to drive the second propulsor fan; and
a second engine configured to expel a second exhaust toward the forward end of the aircraft.