BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a mounting system for a ducted fan engine capable of converting between a typical fluid-propulsion configuration and a friction-based drive-wheel configuration.

2. Brief Description of the Prior Art

The current state of the art includes a plurality of distinct thrust producing engines. Typically, these engines are single purpose drive systems designed around the type of vehicle (e.g. ground vehicles, watercraft, or aircraft) on which they are intended to operate. For example, a drive-wheel—a tire connected to a rotating shaft—provides propulsion for land vehicles, while propellers or turbines are connected to a drive shaft to provide propulsion for aircrafts and watercrafts.

Some hybrid vehicles can operate in multiple mediums, such as, amphibious automobiles, which are capable of operating on land and water. Such vehicles, however, require separate or reconfigurable drive systems. For example, amphibious automobiles have a drive system for land-based travel and a separate propulsion system for aquatic-based travel. Both separate and reconfigurable drive systems are less than ideal. Reconfigurable drive systems can be complex and thus more susceptible to failure, while separate drive systems occupy twice the space and require twice the fuel compared to a single drive system.

Accordingly, what is needed is convertible engine that can operate as a fluid-propulsion engine and also as a friction-based drive-wheel. However, in view of the art considered as a whole at the time the present invention was made, it was not obvious to those of ordinary skill in the field of this invention how the shortcomings of the prior art could be overcome.

While certain aspects of conventional technologies have been discussed to facilitate disclosure of the invention, Applicants in no way disclaim these technical aspects, and it is contemplated that the claimed invention may encompass one or more of the conventional technical aspects discussed herein.

The present invention may address one or more of the problems and deficiencies of the prior art discussed above. However, it is contemplated that the invention may prove useful in addressing other problems and deficiencies in a number of technical areas. Therefore, the claimed invention should not necessarily be construed as limited to addressing any of the particular problems or deficiencies discussed herein.

In this specification, where a document, act or item of knowledge is referred to or discussed, this reference or discussion is not an admission that the document, act or item of knowledge or any combination thereof was at the priority date, publicly available, known to the public, part of common general knowledge, or otherwise constitutes prior art under the applicable statutory provisions; or is known to be relevant to an attempt to solve any problem with which this specification is concerned.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The long-standing but heretofore unfulfilled need for a convertible engine that can operate as a fluid-propulsion engine and also as a friction-based drive-wheel is now met by a new, useful, and nonobvious invention.

The novel structure of the convertible ducted fan engine includes a shroud connected to a shroud shaft, a drive shaft connected to a mechanical fan, a rotational drive motor configured to rotate the drive shaft and mechanical fan, and a linear drive motor configured to translate the drive shaft and mechanical fan in a direction parallel to a longitudinal axis of the shroud shaft. The mechanical fan includes a plurality of blades concentrically arranged about a rotational axis. The fundamental functionality of this design encompasses any combination of mechanical (e.g. stops), electro-mechanical (e.g. actuated latches) or electrical (e.g. electromagnetic clutches or couplers) devices that facilitate both: 1) rotation of the shroud relative to the vehicle axle/body in the drive-wheel configuration, and 2) facilitates fan rotation relative to a stationary shroud in the fluid propulsion configuration.

The convertible ducted fan engine includes a fluid-propulsion configuration in which the mechanical fan rotates freely with respect to the shroud to produce thrust through fluid flow, and a drive-wheel configuration in which at least one of the blades in the plurality of blades is in contact with or coupled to the shroud, thereby causing concurrent rotation of the shroud and mechanical fan when the mechanical fan rotates about the rotational axis.

In an embodiment, the drive shaft is configured to move the mechanical fan both (1) into contact with the shroud to place the ducted fan engine into the drive-wheel configuration and (2) out of contact with the shroud to place the ducted fan engine into the fluid-propulsion configuration. An embodiment includes the shroud shaft aligned with the rotational axis and the drive shaft configured to telescopically receive the shroud shaft. In an embodiment this arrangement could be reversed with the fan translating on the telescoping shaft and the shroud mounted to the axle shaft.

In an embodiment, the ducted fan engine includes a blade-contacting flange disposed on an internal surface of the shroud and extending a distance inwardly towards the central longitudinal axis of the shroud. The blade-contacting flanges extends inwardly a distance that is greater than the difference between the outer diameter of the mechanical fan and the inner diameter of the shroud.

An embodiment includes the blade-contacting flange located proximate to a fore end of shroud, such that the drive-wheel configuration is achieved by translating the mechanical fan towards the fore end of the shroud until at least one of the blades in the plurality of blades comes in contact with the blade-contacting flange. The fluid-propulsion configuration is achieved by translating the mechanical fan towards an aft end of the shroud until none of the blades in the plurality of blades can contact the blade-contacting flange when the mechanical fan rotates about the rotational axis.

An embodiment further includes traction improving material or features disposed on an outer surface of the shroud. This increases the traction between a shroud-contacting surface and the shroud when the ducted fan engine operates in the drive-wheel configuration.

An embodiment includes a drive shaft and a translation collar, wherein the drive shaft is configured to translate in a direction parallel to a longitudinal axis of the translation collar. A mechanical fan is interconnected with the drive shaft, such that movement of the drive shaft in an axial direction causes movement of the mechanical fan in the axial direction. The mechanical fan has a plurality of blades concentrically arranged about a rotational axis and is configured to rotate about the rotational axis. In addition, a shroud is interconnected with the translation collar. The embodiment includes a fluid-propulsion configuration in which the mechanical fan rotates freely with respect to the shroud to produce thrust through fluid flow and a drive-wheel configuration in which at least one of the blades in the plurality of blades is incapable of rotating with respect to the shroud, thereby causing concurrent rotation of the shroud and mechanical fan when the mechanical fan rotates about the rotational axis.

In an embodiment, the drive-wheel configuration includes at least one of the blades in the plurality of blades in contact or coupled to the shroud. An embodiment further includes the translation collar having a linear drive motor to translate the mechanical fan parallel to a longitudinal axis of the shroud.

Like previous embodiments, this embodiment may also include a blade-contacting flange disposed on an internal surface of the shroud and extending a distance inwardly towards the central longitudinal axis of the shroud, where the distance is greater than the difference between an outer diameter of the mechanical fan and the inner diameter of the shroud.

In an embodiment, the ducted fan engine includes an outer shroud encircling a plurality of blades with the shroud having an electrical coil connected to a power source. A collar is concentrically located with respect to the outer shroud and receives at least a portion of a proximal body in a rotationally free relation. A first clutch is disposed between the collar and the proximal body, wherein the first clutch can be engaged to prevent relative rotation between the collar and the proximal body. The proximal body is secured to a mounting arm at a first end and is in rotational communication with a distal body at a second end. The distal body is in mechanical communication with the plurality of blades and a second clutch is disposed between the proximal and distal bodies. The second clutch can be engaged to prevent relative rotation between the proximal and distal bodies. In addition, at least one blade in the plurality of blades has a ferric, magnetic, or electromagnetic component disposed proximate a free end of the blade. The electrical coil can be electrified to cause or prevent rotation of the plurality of blades with respect to the shroud, and the first and second clutches enable the ducted fan engine to operate as a propulsion engine or a drive-wheel.

In an embodiment, operation as the propulsion engine includes the first clutch engaged to prevent the proximal body from rotating with respect to the collar secured to the shroud, the second clutch disengaged to allow the distal body to rotating with respect to the proximal body, and the electrical coil being electrifying to cause the plurality of blades to rotate with respect to the shroud.

In an embodiment, operation as the drive-wheel includes the first clutch disengaged to allow the collar secured to the shroud to rotate with respect to the proximal body, the second clutch engaged to prevent the distal body secured to the plurality of blades from rotating with respect to the proximal body, and the electrical coil electrified to cause the shroud to rotate with respect to the plurality of blades.

An embodiment of the present invention is a convertible craft having at least one convertible ducted fan engine pivotally secured to the craft. The ducted fan engine includes a shroud encircling a mechanical fan. The shroud has an internal surface establishing an inner diameter that is greater in size than an outer diameter of the mechanical fan. The mechanical fan has a plurality of blades concentrically arranged about a rotational axis, wherein each blade in the plurality of blades has an extent originating from the rotational axis and terminating at a distal free end. The distal free ends of each blade effectively create the outer diameter of the mechanical fan. a fluid-propulsion configuration in which the plurality of blades are free to rotate with respect to the shroud to produce thrust through fluid flow; and a drive-wheel configuration in which an outer surface of the shroud is in physical contact with a ground surface and the shroud is configured to rotate about the rotational axis, thereby enabling the shroud to roll along the ground surface.

An embodiment further includes a drive shaft. The mechanical fan is configured to translate in an axial direction along the drive shaft, thereby enabling the mechanical fan to change location within the shroud along the longitudinal axis of the shroud.

An embodiment further includes a blade-contacting flange located proximate to a fore end of the shroud, such that the drive-wheel configuration is achieved by translating the mechanical fan along the translation shaft towards the fore end of the shroud until at least one of the blades in the plurality of blades comes in contact with the blade-contacting flange. The fluid-propulsion configuration is achieved by translating the mechanical fan along the translation shaft towards an aft end of the shroud until none of the blades in the plurality of blades can contact the blade-contacting flange when the mechanical fan rotates about the rotational axis. Other methods known to a person of ordinary skill in the art can be used to couple/decouple the fan and motor to achieve the two modes of operation.

An embodiment further includes traction improving material or features disposed on an outer surface of the shroud. This increases the traction between a shroud-contacting surface and the shroud when the ducted fan engine operates in the drive-wheel configuration.

An embodiment of the craft further includes the convertible engine having an electrical coil disposed on or in the shroud and the electrical coil is connected to a power source. A collar is concentrically located with respect to the outer shroud, the collar receiving at least a portion of a proximal body in a rotationally free relation. A first clutch is disposed between the collar and the proximal body. The first clutch can be engaged to prevent relative rotation between the collar and the proximal body. The proximal body is secured to a mounting arm at a first end and is in rotational communication with a distal body at a second end. The distal body is in mechanical communication with the plurality of blades and a second clutch is disposed between the proximal and distal bodies. The second clutch can be engaged to prevent relative rotation between the proximal and distal bodies. In addition, at least one blade in the plurality of blades has a magnetic component disposed proximate a free end of the blade. The electrical coil can be electrified to cause or prevent rotation of the plurality of blades with respect to the shroud, and the first and second clutches enable the ducted fan engine to operate as a propulsion engine or a drive-wheel.

In an embodiment of the convertible craft, the operation of the convertible engine as a propulsion engine includes the first clutch engaged to prevent the proximal body from rotating with respect to the collar secured to the shroud, the second clutch disengaged to allow the distal body to rotating with respect to the proximal body, and the electrical coil being electrifying to cause the plurality of blades to rotate with respect to the shroud.

In an embodiment of the convertible craft, the operation of the convertible engine as a drive-wheel includes the first clutch disengaged to allow the collar secured to the shroud to rotate with respect to the proximal body, the second clutch engaged to prevent the distal body secured to the plurality of blades from rotating with respect to the proximal body, and the electrical coil electrified to cause the shroud to rotate with respect to the plurality of blades.

An embodiment of the ducted fan engine includes gyroscopic mounting system. The mechanical fan is in communication with a power source that causes the fan to rotate about a rotational axis, and the mechanical fan has a plurality of blades concentrically arranged about the rotational axis. A shroud is concentrically aligned with the mechanical fan about the rotational axis. The engine includes a fluid-propulsion configuration in which the mechanical fan rotates freely with respect to the shroud to produce thrust through fluid flow and a drive-wheel configuration in which the shroud rotates about the rotational axis.

The gyroscopic mount is integrated with or attachable to a craft. The gyroscopic mount has a first gimbal ring, a second gimbal ring, and a third gimbal ring. The first gimbal ring encircles the shroud, the second gimbal ring encircles the first gimbal ring, and the third gimbal ring encircles the second gimbal ring. The first ring is adapted to rotate about a first axis with respect to the second ring, the second ring is adapted to rotate about a second axis with respect to the third ring. An axle extends from the first gimbal towards the mechanical fan and is in mechanical communication with the mechanical fan. The gyroscopic mount can alter the orientation of the mechanical fan by pivoting the first gimbal ring, the second gimbal ring, or the third gimbal ring.

In an embodiment, the first and second axes are nonparallel. In an embodiment, the first and second axes are perpendicular. In an embodiment, the ducted fan engine further includes a circular track system adapted to rotate at least the ducted fan engine about a third axis.

In an embodiment, the drive-wheel configuration includes the shroud mechanically or electromagnetically engaged with a rotational component of the fan engine, such that the shroud rotates simultaneously with the mechanical fan. In an embodiment, a blade-contacting flange is disposed on an internal surface of the shroud and extends a distance inwardly towards the rotational axis. The distance of the flange is greater than a difference between an outer diameter of the mechanical fan and an inner diameter of the shroud.

An embodiment includes a tread disposed on an outer surface of the shroud, thereby providing traction between a shroud-contacting surface and the shroud when the ducted fan engine operates in the drive-wheel configuration.

An embodiment of the engine mounting system is attachable to or integrated with a craft and includes a first gimbal ring and a circular track system. The first gimbal ring encircles a ducted fan engine, and the first gimbal ring is nonconcentric with a shroud on the ducted fan engine. An axle extends from the first gimbal ring to the ducted fan engine. In addition, the first gimbal ring is adapted to pivot about a first axis extending through a pair of diametrically opposed pivotable pins. In an embodiment, the first axis is nonparallel with the axle.

The circular track system is adapted to rotate at least the ducted fan engine about a central track axis that is nonparallel to the first axis. The gyroscopic mount can thereby alter the orientation of the ducted fan engine by pivoting first gimbal ring about the first axis or rotating the ducted fan about the second axis.

An embodiment includes a second gimbal ring adapted to pivot about a second axis extending through a pair of diametrically opposed pivotable pins. In an embodiment, the second axis is nonparallel with the first axis. In an embodiment the central track axis is nonparallel with the second axis. In an embodiment, the first and second axes are perpendicular to each other. In an embodiment, the axle is concentrically aligned with the shroud.

An embodiment includes a third gimbal ring. The third gimbal ring encircles the second gimbal ring and is secured to the second gimbal ring through a pair of diametrically opposed pivotable pins.

An embodiment of the engine mounting system is attachable to or integrated with a craft, and includes a first gimbal ring, a second gimbal ring, and a circular track system. The first gimbal ring encircles a ducted fan engine, and the first gimbal ring is nonconcentric with respect to a shroud on the ducted fan engine. An axle extends from the first gimbal ring to the ducted fan engine. A first pair of diametrically opposed pivotable pins extends between the first ring and a second ring. Moreover, the first gimbal ring is adapted to pivot about a first axis extending through the first pair of diametrically opposed pivotable pins, and the first axis is nonparallel with the axle.

The second gimbal ring is adapted to pivot about a second axis extending through a second pair of diametrically opposed pivotable pins, and the second axis is nonparallel with the first axis.

The circular track system is adapted to rotate at least the ducted fan engine about a third axis. As a result, the gyroscopic mount can alter the orientation of the ducted fan engine by pivoting the first gimbal ring about the first axis, the second gimbal ring about the second axis, or rotating the ducted fan about the third axis.

In an embodiment, the central track axis is nonparallel with the second axis. In an embodiment, the first and second axes are perpendicular to each other. In an embodiment, the axle is concentrically aligned with the shroud.

An embodiment further includes a third gimbal ring. The third gimbal ring encircles the second gimbal ring and is secured to the second gimbal ring through a pair of diametrically opposed pivotable pins.

These and other important objects, advantages, and features of the invention will become clear as this disclosure proceeds.

The invention accordingly comprises the features of construction, combination of elements, and arrangement of parts that will be exemplified in the disclosure set forth hereinafter and the scope of the invention will be indicated in the claims.

