Zhuo Chen

US Patent:

6669137, Dec 30, 2003

Filed:

Aug 26, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/227955

Inventors:

Zhuo Chen - Norcross GA 30093

International Classification:

B64C 2724

US Classification:

244 7R

Abstract:

An air vehicle, such as a manned or unmanned air vehicle, has a fuselage, a rotor/scissors wing, and a scissors wing. At helicopter mode, the rotor/scissors wing rotates to make the air vehicle fly like a helicopter to achieve vertical and/or short take-off and landing, hovering, and low speed flying. At airplane mode, the rotor/scissors wing and scissors wing form a scissors wings configuration to maximize the air vehicles flying efficiency at a wide range of speed and flying conditions by adjusting the yaw angle of the rotor/scissors wing and scissors wing. During the conversion from helicopter mode to airplane mode, the scissors wing generates lift to offload the rotating rotor/scissors wing and eventually the offloaded rotor/scissors wings rotating speed is slowed and stopped so that the rotor/scissors wing can be locked at a specific position and the conversion can be achieved. In a reverse order, the air vehicle can convert from airplane mode to helicopter mode. Either turbofan or turbojet engine, or turboshaft/turbofan convertible engine can be used to power the air vehicle.

US Patent:

6745979, Jun 8, 2004

Filed:

Oct 22, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/277687

Inventors:

Zhuo Chen - Norcross GA 30093

International Classification:

B64C 338

US Classification:

244 46, 244 45 R, 244 49, 244119

Abstract:

A spacecraft such as a fly back booster or a reusable launch vehicle, or an aerospace plane has a fuselage and a set of scissors wings consisting of two main wings. Both of the main wings are rotatably mounted on the fuselage and can be yawed at opposite directions. If the spacecraft is launched vertically, both of its main wings can be yawed to be generally parallel with its fuselage so that it can connect with other vehicle or vehicles to form different launch configurations. When the spacecraft or aerospace plane is flying in the air, landing, or taking off horizontally, it can yaw both of its main wings in opposite directions to maximize its lift-to-drag ratio by optimizing the yaw angle of the main wings according to flying conditions. It can also produce desired aerodynamic characteristics such as forming a high drag configuration by adjusting the yaw angle of its main wings. The scissors wings can be used on a spacecraft that is launched vertically on the ground, or a spacecraft that is carried to the air and launched in the mid-air, or a spacecraft that takes off horizontally like an aircraft or glider.

US Patent:

6860449, Mar 1, 2005

Filed:

Jul 16, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/197358

Inventors:

Zhuo Chen - Stockbridge GA, US

International Classification:

B64C029/00

US Classification:

244 121, 244 5, 244 26, 244 6, 244 124, 244 126

Abstract:

An aircraft has a flying wing and two wingtip hulls installed on the wingtips of the flying wing. Both of the wingtip hulls contain lighter-than-air gas to generate static lift. These wingtip hulls not only contribute to lift-generating but also help the aircraft achieve roll stability and control. Forward propulsion systems are installed at the upper-front positions of the flying wing. When vertical and/or short take-off and landing (V/STOL) capability is required, one or more lift-fan propulsion systems can be installed on the flying wing. The lift-fan propulsion systems can either be driven by their own engines or by the power transmitted from the forward propulsion systems. Payload can be carried inside the flying wing or be hung under or held above the flying wing.

US Patent:

6601795, Aug 5, 2003

Filed:

Aug 23, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/227130

Inventors:

Zhuo Chen - Norcross GA 30093

International Classification:

B64C 338

US Classification:

244 46, 244 39

Abstract:

An air vehicle, such as an aircraft, an unmanned air vehicle, a missile, or an aero bomb that has a fuselage and two main wings each of which has a left side wing and a right side wing. Both of the main wings are rotatably mounted on the fuselage via one or two pivots or hollow turrets so that both of them can be yawed during flight to optimize flying efficiency under various flying conditions.