Title:
AIRCRAFT THRUST, ASSEMBLY, AND METHODS
Document Type and Number:
WIPO Patent Application WO/2014/168667
Kind Code:
A3
Abstract:
Systems and methods for ground-based aircraft thrust systems are provided. In particular, some embodiments use an electromechanical thrust assembly to accelerate aircraft using ground-based energy for takeoff. The assembly can include one or more sleds, one or more maglev tracks, and/or one or more linear motors. Airplanes are loaded onto a sled (e.g., a saddle-shaped sled) that supports and balances the airplane instead of the landing gear aboard the aircraft. The sled levitates above the ground using high-density permanent magnet arrays. Magnetic levitation forces are varied along the assembly to account for lift provided by airflow over the wings. An aircraft thrust system includes a magnetically levitated saddle-shaped sled with airbags that support an aircraft during takeoff acceleration coupled with a linear motor that spans the length of the distance needed for takeoff.
Inventors:
ENDRES STEVEN P (US)
Application Number:
PCT/US2014/012603
Publication Date:
December 31, 2014
Filing Date:
January 22, 2014
Export Citation:
Assignee:
EXHAUSTLESS INC (US)
International Classes:
B64F1/10; B64F1/04
Domestic Patent References:
| WO2004087459A1 | 2004-10-14 |
Foreign References:
| US20100028123A1 | 2010-02-04 | |||
| US8028953B2 | 2011-10-04 | |||
| US20030053278A1 | 2003-03-20 | |||
| US4842086A | 1989-06-27 |
Other References:
See also references of EP 2948375A4
Attorney, Agent or Firm:
COLEMAN, Brian R. et al. (Seattle, Washington, US)
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