Abstract:
A disc-shaped aircraft including an airfoil having a convex upper surface and a planar lower surface with the edges of the surfaces meeting at the periphery of the disc and having a plurality of rotational mini turbine jets affixed sequentially at the edge of the circumference of the disc, the turbine jets effecting vertical, horizontal, and directional thrust under computer and pilot control. Stable flight is maintained by an internal gyroscopic counter-rotating rotor blade system, individual control of the turbine jets, and a series of retractable flaps.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application claims priority to, and the benefit of, the filing date of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/167,189 filed May 27, 2015 (May 27, 2015), incorporated in its entirety by reference herein. 
    
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     Not applicable. 
     THE NAMES OR PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT 
     Not applicable. 
     INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC 
     Not applicable. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to the field of transportation technology, and more specifically aircraft technology, and still more particularly to disc-shaped turbo-jet aircraft having a peripherally distributed propulsion system and stabilizing gyroscope. 
     Background Discussion 
     Lenticular and disc-shaped aircraft, when compared to alternative configurations, offer an efficient airfoil, a potentially more stable platform when employing peripheral thrust, a lower amount of drag, and a lower radar profile, all while providing direct vertical and horizontal movement options. However, of the countless disc-shaped aircraft for which patent protection has been sought, none have achieved commercial success. What the prior art of fifty years in this field has taught us is that there is a substantial collection of disc-shaped aircraft designs (flying saucers) that won&#39;t fly. This failure is concealed in patent applications by the calculated absence of any performance data that would predict a functional future for the designs—i.e., actual utility beyond that of an exotic landscape ornament. This is because they have never overcome the historical power/weight problem—that is, how to provide a disc-shaped aircraft with sufficient power to lift its weight off the ground. In almost all instances, the weight alone of the proposed power plants for these aircraft precluded any reasonable expectation of flight. The resulting patents have made their named inventors stakeholders in some undefined future technology that will confer credibility to the general concept by achieving actual flight. 
     Buried in the graveyard of good ideas are the many disc-shaped airframe designs disclosed in the following patents: U.S. Pat. No. 3,045,951 (to Freeland); U.S. Pat. No. 3,933,325 (to Kaelin); U.S. Pat. No. 6,382,560 (to Ow); U.S. Pat. No. 3,065,935 (to Dubbury, et al.); U.S. Pat. No. 3,082,977 (to Arlin); and U.S. Pat. No. 3,514,053 (to McGuiness), all of which are hereby incorporated in their entirety by reference herein, along with all other references cited in this application. As noted, the failure of these designs is likely attributable to the failure to address and overcome the power/weight problem recognized long ago by Wilbur and Orville Wright and Igor Sikorsky. 
     The foregoing patents reflect the current state of the art of which the present inventor is aware. Reference to, and discussion of, these patents and other patents herein is intended to aid in discharging Applicant&#39;s acknowledged duty of candor in disclosing information that may be relevant to the examination of claims to the present invention. However, it is respectfully submitted that none of the above-indicated patents disclose, teach, suggest, show, or otherwise render obvious, either singly or when considered in combination, the invention described and claimed herein. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The disc-shaped aircraft of the present invention departs from the prior art to achieve actual flight by answering a long unsolved problem for a lightweight power source. In an embodiment, the aircraft is a 25 foot (7.25 m) diameter disc-shaped airframe that employs a plurality of lightweight mini turbojets, each weighing approximately 3.5 lbs. (1.5 kg). This combined power package weighs only 175 lbs. (79.3 kg) but delivers a total thrust force in excess of 1500 lbs. psi (7100 N). This thrust force is sufficient to provide lift and to propel a piloted aircraft weighing approximately 800 lbs. (362.8 kg) at a speed in excess of 120 mph (53.6 m/s). This embodiment is capable of maintaining a minimum level cruise speed, at which lift equals gravity, of 52.4 mph (26.242 m/s), at an angle of attack of 4 degrees, virtually level, while at the same time possessing a formidable VTOL capacity. [Calculations provided by Mont Hubbard, Ph.D., Univ. California, Davis.] Measured against the patent history of disc-shaped aircraft, this performance data is both an unexpected and surprising development for the future and a positive affirmation of the non-obvious nature of the embodiments herein. Further, fuel consumption is conservative and economical, with a representative array of 50 turbojets operating at a cruise speed (approximately 10% of maximum thrust) requiring 40 gallons of fuel (151.42 liters) per hour. 
     It will be appreciated that the mini turbojet technology has itself evolved considerably, at an encouraging pace. Weight parameters have remained generally stable, but other dimensions have changed in recent years. For instance, mini turbojets sized at 6 inches in length only a few years ago are now 12 inches in length. 
     As will be seen below, in an embodiment, the present invention uses peripherally located miniature turbine jets (“mini turbojets”) to overcome the power/weight problem in disc-shaped aircraft. Maneuverability is not sacrificed, but it is rather actually enhanced by the power plant distribution. In addition, an embodiment provides a gyroscopic mechanism consisting of counter-rotating blades rotating about the central axis of the aircraft disc and extending to an internal rim of the disc. Furthermore, in an embodiment, the disc shaped aircraft may have both standard and storage/travel configurations. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The invention will be better understood and its various objects and advantages will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a side view in elevation of an embodiment of the inventive disc-shaped turbo aircraft. 
         FIG. 2  is a top plan view thereof. 
         FIG. 3  is cross-sectional side view in elevation taken along section lines  3 - 3  of  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 4  is a detailed front side elevational view taken along section line  4 - 4  of  FIG. 3 . 
         FIG. 4A  is a detailed front side elevations view taken along section line  4 - 4  of  FIG. 3  showing the mini turbojets in a side-by-side configuration. 
         FIG. 4B  is a detailed front side elevations view taken along section line  4 - 4  of  FIG. 3  showing the mini turbojets in a vertically offset configuration. 
         FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional upper front left perspective view of the details shown in  FIG. 4 , showing a turbojet as fixed in the aircraft&#39;s engine bay and enclosed in the power alley by the power alley shroud. 
         FIG. 6  is an upper front left partial cross-sectional view showing interior components of the inventive disc-shaped turbo-jet aircraft, including gyroscopic rotor blades, turbojets, power rails, and their relative respective placements. 
         FIG. 7  is a bottom view of an embodiment of the aircraft illustrating the placement of the turbojets, the gyroscopic rotor blades, and the bottom power rails. 
         FIG. 8  is a transparent top plan view of an embodiment of the aircraft illustrating the form and location of the spars and fuselage rib side panels in a storage/travel configuration. 
         FIG. 9  is a side view of fuselage panel elements. 
         FIG. 10  is a front view of the aircraft in its folded storage/travel configuration. 
         FIG. 11  is a top plan view showing an alternative embodiment that includes a plurality of slots disposed across the top rear panel of the aircraft. 
     
    
    
     DRAWING REFERENCE NUMERALS [PARTS LEGEND] 
     
         
         
           
               10 —Disc-shaped aircraft 
               12 —Top panel 
               13 —Reinforced circumferential engine mount wall 
               14 —Bottom panel of disc-shaped aircraft 
               15   a —Interior of disc 
               15   b —Bottom panel outlet ports 
               16 —Top panel circumferential ridge lines 
               17 —Circumferential power alley engine bay 
               18 —Power alley 
               18   a —Power alley inlet/outlet ports 
               18   b —Power alley shroud 
               19 —Jet mounts 
               20 —Mini turbojets 
               20   a —Mini turbojets 
               21 —Gimbals 
               22 —Auxiliary engine for gyroscopic rotor blades 
               24 —Supporting shaft for gyroscopic rotor blades 
               25 —Center (yaw axis) of aircraft 
               26 —Gear box for counter-rotating gyroscopic rotor blades 
               28 —Counter-rotating gyroscopic rotor blades 
               30 —Rotor fly weights 
               32 —Widened centers of gyroscopic rotor blades 
               34 —Rotor end perimeter rim bearings 
               36 —Exterior flange plate 
               38 —Landing skids 
               40 —Top panel directional flaps 
               42 —Pilot canopy 
               44 —Pilot cabin (cockpit) 
               46 —Fuel bladders 
               48 —Interior fuselage rib sides 
               50 —Exterior wing rib sides 
               52 —Exterior wing spars 
               54 —Optional turbojets on power rails 
               56 —Exterior power rails 
               56   a —Bottom power rails 
               58   a —Storage configuration fuselage box 
               58   b —Left airfoil portion 
               58   c —Right airfoil portion 
               60 —Alternative embodiment with downdraft ports 
               62 —Downdraft ports 
           
         
       
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The disc-shaped, full airfoil-surfaced aircraft of the present invention solves the power/weight problem by employing a plurality of mini turbojets to achieve and maintain effective vertical and horizontal flight and maneuvering. The potential of such embodiments for civil and military applications is manifest. Indeed, whether in drone or manned configurations, such aircraft could command the battlefield for the remainder of the twenty-first century, particularly in hostile desert environments involving terrorist activities and occupations. The simplicity of the inventive design reduces manufacturing costs and facilitates rapid manufacture. 
     Embodiments in this disclosure generally include a lightweight disc-shaped aircraft capable of vertical and horizontal flight and full VTOL capability with the performance data set forth above. 
       FIG. 1  is a side elevation view of an embodiment of the inventive aircraft  10 . In the embodiment, mini turbojets  20  ( FIG. 3 ) are generally equidistantly spaced apart peripherally and circumferentially about the interior portion  15   a  of the perimeter  18   b  of the airfoil top panel  14 . In an alternative embodiment, the power plants can be grouped or ganged and the groups or gangs then generally equidistantly spaced apart about the periphery. For instance,  FIG. 4A  and  FIG. 4B  show, respectively, turbojets in a vertically offset configuration and turbojets mounted in pairs. The additional power plants enabled with the grouped configuration would add weight to the aircraft; but, the additional weight is offset by the added thrust, all within expected performance parameters. Each configuration achieves an even weight distribution encircling the aircraft center of gravity. Proper spacing helps to overcome the power/weight problem. Mini turbojets suitable for the embodiment may be obtained, e.g., from JetCat USA, LLC (775 Fentress Blvd., Daytona Beach, Fla. 32114; Tel. 386-944-9122). An exemplary power plant is the currently available JetCat P140 turbine that produces 32 pounds of vertical thrust at a functional weight of 3.5 pounds. Comparable products, weighing 3 to 5 pounds, with thrust ranges from 12 to 52 pounds, are also available from JetCat and other manufactures. 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , disc-shaped aircraft  10  includes a centrally convex top panel (i.e., upper side)  12  and a generally flat (planar) bottom  14  which combine to create an airfoil providing lift during flight. The convex top panel and planar bottom provide the opposed airfoil surfaces. The shape will be recognized to be that of the rotating flying disc commonly known as a FRISBEE® [a registered trademark of Wham-O, Inc., of Woodland Hills, Calif.]. Aircraft  10  is sheathed on the upper and lower opposed airfoil surfaces,  12 ,  14 , respectively, the convex upper top panel and the planar lower bottom panel converging toward each other toward their peripheral edges  12   a ,  14 , respectively. However, the peripheral edges remain spaced apart, such that in an embodiment, the airfoil is open about its periphery where needed to allow thrust from turbojets  14  to be directed downward or in other desired directions in relation to the airfoil ( FIGS. 3-7 ). 
       FIG. 2  is a top view of an embodiment of the aircraft. In  FIG. 2 , the forward upper surface supports numerous circumferential line ridges  16 . Circumferential line ridges  16  protrude minimally above the upper panel and parallel the forward circumference of the aircraft to enhance air adhesion to the upper airfoil during forward flight. 
       FIG. 3  is an interior sectional view of an embodiment of the aircraft. In  FIG. 3 , an array of multiple turbojets  20  is affixed and arranged around a reinforced circumferential engine mount wall  13  of the disc-shaped aircraft  10 . Turbojets  20  are installed and covered by a skirt portion of the convex upper panel, which cooperates with the engine mount wall to define a power alley shroud  18   b  and forms a generally continuous circumferential engine bay or perimeter “power alley”  18 , which surrounds the whole of the disc-shaped aircraft  10 . The skirt, exterior side, or power alley shroud  18   b  of circumferential power alley  18  is shown extending below bottom  14 , with the result that both faces of the exterior side are exposed to the exterior environment. The skirt portion or perimeter shroud  18   b  of power alley  18  is perforated on its upper and lateral surfaces with sequential air inlets to provide for air ingress and egress, and, on its lower surface, to provide an exit for thrust gases. In the embodiment, turbojets  20  may be rotated about horizontal and vertical axes, but have limited longitudinal or lateral movement. 
       FIGS. 4, 4A, and 4B , are interior sectional views of embodiments of the aircraft&#39;s shrouded power alley  18 .  FIG. 5  is an interior sectional view of an embodiment illustrating a single turbojet  20  as fixed in the power alley  18 . The turbojets  20  are suspended within the power alley  18  from fixed jet mounts  19  by gimbals  21  which allow the turbojets to be rotated in a horizontal or vertical position on vertical and horizontal axes, respectively, by actuators (not shown).  FIGS. 4A-4B  show grouped or ganged turbojets  20 ,  20   a , mounted with correspondingly paired gimbals  21   a.    
     Returning to  FIG. 3 , a supporting shaft  24  for counter-rotating gyroscopic rotor blades  28  (or “gyroscopes”) is affixed and suspended from an auxiliary engine  22  below the pilot cabin (cockpit)  44  and near the center  25  (yaw axis) of the aircraft  10 . The primary purpose of the gyroscopic rotor blades  28  is to give stability in level flight. Rotors  28  are actuated by a counter-rotating gear  26  at the bottom of shaft  24  with gyroscopic rotor blades  28  fixed in a continuous rigid plane from end to end. The size of the gyroscopic rotor blades  28  in relation to aircraft  10  results in their contributing substantially to the stability of aircraft  10 , so much so that the loss of stability due to the malfunctioning of one or more of turbojets  20  or the malfunctioning of the control of turbojets  20  is greatly reduced or eliminated. Thus, gyroscopic rotors  28  enhance the safety of aircraft  10 . A secondary purpose for the gyroscopic rotor blades is to create lift over the upper rear half surface of the disc by down drafting rear exterior surface air into the center of the aircraft and venting the drafted air through the bottom panel outlet ports  15   b  (see  FIG. 7 ). 
       FIG. 6  is a top and interior sectional view of an embodiment of the gyroscope rotor blades and their placement, showing that the blades may be “canted” or pitched slightly such that in operation the blades create a suction force sufficient to draw in air through the air inlets  62  in the upper rear surface of the disc and then vent the same through air outlet ports in the bottom planar panel  14 .  FIG. 6  shows that the center axis of each rotor  28  is broadened near the center portion  32  to deter midpoint deflection. Each of the rotor ends is attached to a fly weight  30  ( FIGS. 3 and 5 ).  FIG. 5  shows that end fly weights  30  are horizontally supported by bearings  34  contained in the lower portion of the aircraft&#39;s interior perimeter rim in circumferential channels above the bottom sheathed panel. Returning to  FIG. 6 , the counter-rotating gear, located near the bottom sheathed panel, is shown supporting an exterior flanged plate  36 . 
       FIG. 7  is a bottom view of an embodiment of the aircraft illustrating the placement of the turbojets, the gyroscope rotor blades, and the bottom power rails.  FIG. 7  shows optional turbojets  54 , which may be affixed to parallel power rails  56  affixed to the outside exterior of flanged plate  36 . Optional turbojets  54  may be added to, for example, enhance forward speed. 
     Returning to  FIG. 3 , the aircraft  10  may be supported on the ground by helicopter type skids  38  located equidistant outboard of the aircraft&#39;s bow to stern midline. In an embodiment, in addition to or instead of skids  38 , four retractable struts may be stored in recessed compartments within the aircraft&#39;s sheathed bottom panel. 
     Pilot cabin  44  and canopy  42  may be of conventional design containing a control suite for pilot inputs to engage alternative mechanisms involving a CPU control box (Fly by Wire) which governs all flight functions through various actuators, solenoid/traducers, cables and levers. Auxiliary internal combustion engine  22  may be positioned below pilot cabin  44 . Internal combustion engine  22  provides rotational power to gyroscopic rotor blades  28 , compression for hydraulic systems, and power for an electric alternator. 
     Fuel for auxiliary engine  22  and turbojets  20  may be contained in multiple fuel bladders  46  affixed internally in a circumferential pattern to the interior of the aircraft&#39;s upper perimeter wall above the rotor channels. In an embodiment, the fuel bladders are of substantially the same volume, and fuel is drained from all circumferential fuel bladders simultaneously to maintain stability. 
     Adjustment of flight attitude is achieved by varying the direction of thrust of some or all turbojets  20  in conjunction with four top panel flaps  40 , two of which are located laterally on the top panel evenly spaced from the midpoint of the aircraft and proximate the top panel perimeter, and two of which are located proximate to the perimeter at the aircraft stern and bow midpoints (see  FIG. 2 ). Flaps  40  are recessed in the sheathed top panel and extend above the top panel. Flaps  40  may be actuated by conventional means through hydraulic, solenoid/traducer, and/or cable actuated mechanisms. 
       FIG. 8  is a top transparent exterior/interior view of an embodiment of aircraft  10  illustrating the form and location of the spars and fuselage rib side panels in a storage/travel configuration. In the storage/travel configuration, a rectangular box fuselage  58   a  bisects the craft from bow to stern with plywood (or comparable sheer panel material) ribs (or “sidings”)  48  (see also  FIG. 9 ) affixed to the frame to provide a support structure for the hinging apparatus connecting the wing sections to the fuselage. As shown in  FIG. 8 , the right and left airfoil sections  58   b ,  58   c , respectively, are parts of semicircles, but in embodiments the shape of the wing sections, and the overall shape of aircraft  10 , may be other shapes that provide for placing turbojets  20  about a perimeter of the shape and also housing gyroscopes  28 . The tubular construction of each airfoil portion (or wing) is in turn attached to a single internal rib  50  facing the central section of the fuselage and connected to the hinging apparatus. Rib  50  supports two attached spars  52  (see also  FIG. 9 ) that extend to the curved perimeter of the wing. This design is identical for both wing sections. 
     In an embodiment, the aircraft  10  is simple to operate. Starting from a parked (static) position, the turbojets  20  are engaged and a number of the peripheral turbojets are directed to provide vertical thrust, consistent with the CPU biases for initial take off, while a remaining number of turbojets are directed to provide horizontal thrust for forward flight. This ability to simultaneously balance between vertical and horizontal flight provides a substantial safety factor over the current design of the Osprey, for example, and its attendant problems when converting from vertical to horizontal flight. Forward speed and directional control may be achieved through throttle controls by actuating CPU selected turbojets  20  located at opposed sides of aircraft  10  with assistance available from port and starboard flaps  40 . 
     Flight stability in a level position is achieved by using by gyroscopic stabilizers  28  with assistance available from the port, starboard, bow, and stern flaps  40 . The angle of attack is achieved by CPU selected turbojets  20  with assistance provided as needed by the bow and stern flaps  40 . Landing of the aircraft, at a CPU dictated speed, requires a reversal of the takeoff procedure described above, coupled with a flaring maneuver to inhibit forward motion. All of the foregoing directional movements are subject to pilot control and adjustment. 
       FIG. 11  is a top plan view showing an alternative configuration  60  for the top panel  12  (other structural and operational features remaining the same as those of the above-described embodiment). Analysis of lift problems associated with disc-shaped aircraft reveal that at any angle of attack greater than 9 degrees or more, the center of lift is slightly forward of the geometric center of the disc, and the rear half of the deck of the disc provides no measurable lift during flight. This condition can be advantageously addressed by perforating the rear half of the top panel with multiple longitudinally oriented slots (vents)  62 . For an aircraft having dimensions as described above, slots of approximately one inch in width and six inches in length are sufficient. These serve as outlet ports for air to pass through to create a downdraft effect induced by the gyroscopic rotor blades, which for this purpose may be canted or pitched to pull air through the ports and exhaust it through the bottom panel outlet ports  15   b . This provides lift on the rear half of the disc deck. 
     The above disclosure is sufficient to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to practice the invention, and provides the best mode of practicing the invention presently contemplated by the inventor. While there is provided herein a full and complete disclosure of the preferred embodiments of this invention, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction, dimensional relationships, and operation shown and described. Various modifications, alternative constructions, changes and equivalents will readily occur to those skilled in the art and may be employed, as suitable, without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention. Such changes might involve alternative materials, components, structural arrangements, sizes, shapes, forms, functions, operational features or the like. 
     Therefore, the above description and illustrations should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention, which is defined by the appended claims.