Patent ID: 7472863
Filing Date: 2009-01-06
Classification: A63H,B64C,B64D

Abstract:
1. A vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) aircraft, comprising: an elongated fuselage having forward and after sections and defining a longitudinal axis, the forward and after sections each having left and right quarter sections; a first forward structure beam extending outward from the fuselage perpendicular to the longitudinal axis at the forward right quarter section; a second forward structure beam extending outward from the fuselage perpendicular to the longitudinal axis at the forward left quarter section; a first after structure beam extending outward from the fuselage perpendicular to the longitudinal axis at the after right quarter section; a second after structure beam extending outward from the fuselage perpendicular to the longitudinal axis at the after left quarter section; a first forward propulsion unit structurally connected to the first forward structure beam; a second forward propulsion unit structurally connected to the second forward structure beam; a first after propulsion unit structurally connected to the first forward structure beam; and a second after propulsion unit structurally connected to the second after structure beam, wherein each of the propulsion units is rotatable vertically about a horizontal axis relative to the fuselage, and wherein each of the propulsion units is shaft driven and wherein the first and second, forward and after structure beams each comprise a horizontal shaft, and wherein each of the after propulsion units comprise a rudder attached to a rear end of each of the after propulsion units, the rudder providing directional control of the aircraft, the aircraft further comprising: a hydraulic cylinder providing power to actuate the rudder; a hydraulic cylinder fairing encasing the hydraulic cylinder; a hydraulic fluid line contained within each of the after structure beams providing fluid pressure to the hydraulic cylinder; and a rudder anchor rod connecting the hydraulic cylinder to the rudder.