Patent ID: 8070092
Filing Date: 2011-12-06
Classification: B64C,B64D

Abstract:
1. A strut support system for a ducted fan unmanned aerial vehicle, the strut support system comprising: a ducted fan fuselage that defines an opening; a centerbody that extends longitudinally through the opening in the fuselage, wherein the centerbody comprises an engine, a drive mechanism rotatably mounted to the engine, and a fan mounted on the drive mechanism; and a plurality of struts extending between the ducted fan fuselage and the centerbody, each strut comprising a first leg and a second leg joined together by a curvilinear junction, wherein the first leg is attached to the ducted fan fuselage and the second leg is attached to the engine, wherein the plurality of struts are positioned upstream of the fan, and wherein the junction between the first leg of each strut of the plurality of struts and the ducted fan fuselage is outside a highlight of a leading edge of the ducted fan fuselage.