Patent ID: 6113029
Filing Date: 2000-09-05
Classification: B64C

Abstract:
An aircraft which provides hovering and forward flight, comprising:an annular casing formed in the aircraft and defining an opening which extends through the aircraft;a central compartment located within the opening formed in the aircraft, wherein the central compartment and the annular casing are spaced from each other to define an annular channel extending through the aircraft;a rotor system located within the annular channel and including a pair of blade wheels associated with the central compartment, wherein each of the blade wheels has a plurality of blades extending from the blade wheels to a position adjacent to the annular casing, and a vane wheel associated with the central compartment and located between the pair of blade wheels, wherein the vane wheel has a plurality of vanes extending from the vane wheel to the annular casing; andmeans for rotating the blade wheels within the annular channel so that an air flow is developed through the annular channel which produces lift for the aircraft;wherein the central compartment and the annular casing have side walls which define the annular channel, and wherein the side walls which define the annular channel have a configuration which narrows the annular channel in the direction of the air flow through the annular channel, thereby increasing the speed of the air flow through the annular channel while achieving air flow conditions through the annular channel which are substantially constant in pressure; andwherein the pair of blade wheels are vertically aligned, the blades extending from the blade wheels have a length, and the length of the blades extending from a first one of the blade wheels is greater than the length of the blades extending from a second one of the blade wheels which is located beneath the first one of the blade wheels.