US 12,151,808 B2
Aircraft and methods of operating the same to increase descent angles thereof
Pedro Alexandre Tonet Fleig, Brno (CZ); and Ondrej Karas, Brno (CZ)
Assigned to HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL, INC., Charlotte, NC (US)
Filed by HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC., Charlotte, NC (US)
Filed on Aug. 17, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/820,302.
Prior Publication US 2024/0059409 A1, Feb. 22, 2024
Int. Cl. B64C 29/00 (2006.01); B64C 27/02 (2006.01); B64U 10/20 (2023.01); G05D 1/00 (2024.01); G05D 1/485 (2024.01); G05D 1/654 (2024.01)
CPC B64C 29/0025 (2013.01) [B64U 10/20 (2023.01); G05D 1/102 (2013.01); G05D 1/485 (2024.01); G05D 1/654 (2024.01); B64C 27/025 (2013.01)] 16 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An aircraft comprising:
a fuselage having fixed wings;
a horizontal thrust source coupled to the fuselage and configured to selectively generate and supply horizontal thrust to the aircraft;
a vertical thrust source coupled to the fuselage and configured to selectively generate and supply vertical thrust to the aircraft, the vertical thrust source including a vertical thrust rotor that is configured to selectively operate in a locked mode, in which the vertical thrust rotor cannot rotate freely in response to contact of airflow therewith, and an unlocked mode, in which the vertical thrust rotor can rotate freely in response to contact of airflow therewith; and
a controller in operable communication with at least the vertical thrust source, the controller configured to selectively supply a command to the vertical thrust source that causes the vertical thrust rotor to operate in the unlocked mode.