US 12,479,610 B2
Vertical air vehicle takeoff and landing stabilization apparatuses, systems, and methods
Wayne Richard Howe, Irvine, CA (US); and Terrance Mason, Pasadena, CA (US)
Assigned to THE BOEING COMPANY, Arlington, VA (US)
Filed by The Boeing Company, Arlington, VA (US)
Filed on Apr. 17, 2024, as Appl. No. 18/637,605.
Application 18/637,605 is a continuation of application No. 17/588,477, filed on Jan. 31, 2022, granted, now 11,993,409.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/167,248, filed on Mar. 29, 2021.
Prior Publication US 2024/0262544 A1, Aug. 8, 2024
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. B64U 70/70 (2023.01); B60L 53/00 (2019.01); B60L 53/16 (2019.01); B64U 10/14 (2023.01); B64U 30/299 (2023.01); B64U 70/30 (2023.01); B64U 101/64 (2023.01)
CPC B64U 70/70 (2023.01) [B60L 53/00 (2019.02); B60L 53/16 (2019.02); B64U 30/299 (2023.01); B64U 70/30 (2023.01); B60L 2200/10 (2013.01); B64U 10/14 (2023.01); B64U 2101/64 (2023.01)] 15 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An apparatus for stabilizing takeoff and landing of a vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) vehicle, the apparatus comprising:
at least one vertically-oriented support element, said at least one vertically-oriented support element comprising a vertically-oriented support element first end and a vertically-oriented support element second end, said at least one vertically-oriented support element extending from the vertically-oriented support element first end to the vertically-oriented support element second end, said at least one vertically-oriented support element further comprising at least one first cooperating stabilizer element located proximate to the vertically-oriented support element second end, said at least one vertically-oriented support element further comprising a vertically-oriented support element channel configured to extend an entire length of the at least one vertically-oriented support element;
an enclosure comprising at least one moveable enclosure panel, said at least one moveable enclosure panel positioned proximate to the vertically-oriented support element first end, said enclosure further comprising an enclosure inner surface, said enclosure dimensioned to substantially surround the at least one vertically-oriented support element, said enclosure further dimensioned to completely surround the VTOL vehicle during at least one of VTOL vehicle takeoff and landing, said at least one moveable enclosure panel configured to open during the VTOL vehicle takeoff and landing to mitigate ground effect turbulence within the apparatus;
an electric charging element, said electric charging element in communication with a power supply, said electric charging element comprising at least one charging element charging contact, said at least one charging element charging contact in communication with at least one of a charging base, the at least one vertically-oriented support element, and the enclosure inner surface;
a guide comprising a guide first end and a guide second end, said guide further comprising at least one of a frustoconical geometry and a rectangular geometry, said guide first end in communication with the vertically-oriented support element second end of the at least one vertically-oriented support element, said guide further in communication with the at least one first cooperating stabilizer element, said guide comprising a guide inner surface, said guide inner surface further comprising at least one guide inner surface channel, said at least one guide inner surface channel configured to substantially align with the vertically-oriented support element channel; and
wherein the at least one first cooperating stabilizer element comprises at least one of a male attachment portion and a female attachment portion.