Jet-propelled Patents (Class 446/56)
  • Patent number: 10138899
    Abstract: An electric propulsion assembly for an aircraft includes a nacelle having a nacelle cowl which defines an inner space for arranging an electric propulsion unit, which includes a blower, of the aircraft. An electric motor assembly is placed in the inner space and connected to the propulsion unit to supply power to the propulsion unit. An airflow generated by the blower flows in a space between the motor assembly and the nacelle cowl defining a duct to supply thrust to the aircraft. A power electronics system has at least one heat exchanger to transfer thermal energy from the system to a work fluid to cool the system. The heat exchanger is placed to project at least partially into the duct, so that the work fluid consists of the air flow generated by the blower.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: AIRBUS SAS
    Inventors: Emmanuel Joubert, Hichem Smaoui, Charles Nespoulous, Bruno Rechain
  • Patent number: 9283582
    Abstract: A bellow actuated pump may be attached to a pouch using a pouch fitment integrated with a base of the pump or to which the pump may be attached, wherein the pouch fitment includes one or more curved wings and each of the wings has one or more weld ribs wherein at least two weld ribs cross to provide a contact for sealing with a pouch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: MeadWestvaco Calmar Netherlands B.V.
    Inventors: Eelco Han de Man, Ryan A. Bailey, Kevin White, Erwin Boes, Stefan Koster
  • Patent number: 9102407
    Abstract: A resonance engine is disclosed including: a driver plate, to which is coupled at least one oscillatory transducer; a drive signal generator connected to the oscillatory transducer for excitation thereof; a first spring-mass resonator, having a first natural resonant frequency, with a proximal end attached to the driver plate and a free distal end; and a reaction means attached to the driver plate substantially opposite to the first spring-mass resonator. When the oscillatory transducer is excited by a drive signal from the generator having a component at or close to said natural resonant frequency, the first spring-mass resonator oscillates at resonance, substantially in anti-phase to the driver plate. Small vibrational strains in the oscillatory transducer are converted to large strains of controllable kinematic movements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: MapleBird Ltd
    Inventor: Guy Thomas Greenyer
  • Patent number: 8998669
    Abstract: A reconfigurable model rocket that can be flown either in a single-stage or a two-stage configuration is disclosed. The model rocket has a main body tube, a nose cone, a first tail section, a second tail section, and a staging adapter. The nose cone is removably coupleable to a top end of the main body tube and the first tail section is removably coupleable to a bottom end of the main body tube. The first tail section accommodates a first rocket engine to propel the model rocket by allowing gases from a combustible propellant to escape from the bottom end of the first tail section. The second tail section is removably coupleable to a bottom end of the first tail section and accommodates a second rocket engine to propel the model rocket by allowing gases from a combustible propellant to escape from the bottom end of the second tail section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Estes-Cox Corp.
    Inventor: John G. Boren
  • Publication number: 20140370776
    Abstract: A reconfigurable model rocket that can be flown either in a single-stage or a two-stage configuration is disclosed. The model rocket has a main body tube, a nose cone, a first tail section, a second tail section, and a staging adapter. The nose cone is removably coupleable to a top end of the main body tube and the first tail section is removably coupleable to a bottom end of the main body tube. The first tail section accommodates a first rocket engine to propel the model rocket by allowing gases from a combustible propellant to escape from the bottom end of the first tail section. The second tail section is removably coupleable to a bottom end of the first tail section and accommodates a second rocket engine to propel the model rocket by allowing gases from a combustible propellant to escape from the bottom end of the second tail section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2013
    Publication date: December 18, 2014
    Inventor: John G. Boren
  • Publication number: 20140120797
    Abstract: No manufacturer of Flying Model Rocket Kits at present have a rocket that carries four gliders at once, have gliders that are dual purpose, have gliders that are released in the way Glide-A-Raptor's gliders are released, or have the flight characteristics that Glide-A-Raptor has. Glide-A-Raptor releases its gliders in a Fleur-de-lis pattern; it often reminds you of a break away flight pattern that is preformed by the Blue Angels. It is a sight to see. All 4 gliders are long delta wing gliders with a steep angle. This steep angle enables 4 gliders to be mounted onto a single rocket with a symmetry that enables the rocket to use the gliders as if they were permanent fins for the stability of the rocket during acceleration and flight.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2012
    Publication date: May 1, 2014
    Inventor: Thomas Eric Collins
  • Patent number: 8303365
    Abstract: A jet propulsion construction toy assembly includes a container mounted on a movable brick assembly. A launching unit includes a launching seat permitting extension of a nozzle of the container thereinto and having an inlet. When the nozzle extends into the launching seat, an actuator mounted movably in said launching seat is operable to engage the nozzle such that said container is filled with fluid including air and liquid and pumped out of a barrel by a pump through first and second conduits, the inlet and the nozzle. Thereafter, when the nozzle is released from the launching seat due to disengagement between the nozzle and the actuator, jet of the fluid from the container through the nozzle forms a propulsion force to drive movement of a combination of the brick assembly and the container away from the launching unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Inventor: Wen-Pin Lin
  • Publication number: 20120238177
    Abstract: Disclosed is a self-propelled football with an internally ducted fan and electric motor. An exemplary embodiment has an oblate spheroidal body. The body has a front section, a center section, a back section, and a longitudinal axis. The ducted fan is located within the body substantially within the center section and substantially along the longitudinal axis. The electric motor is located within the body and mechanically coupled to the ducted fan. At least one electrical power source is located within the body and electrically coupled to the electric motor. At least one air-inlet is located within the front section of the body in airflow communication with the ducted fan. At least one air-outlet is located within the back section of the body in airflow communication with the ducted fan. A means for automatic activation and deactivation of the electrical motor is located within the body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2012
    Publication date: September 20, 2012
    Inventor: Marc Gregory Martino
  • Patent number: 8025546
    Abstract: A ducted fan assembly includes a housing unit, a motor, and a propeller. The housing unit includes a duct member, and a hollow seat member disposed in the duct member. The motor is mounted to an exterior of the seat member, and includes a power cord extending through the seat member. The propeller is mounted to the motor and is driven thereby to generate an airflow that flows through the duct member and that acts on the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2011
    Assignee: EPF Hobby Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Li-Hua Yen
  • Publication number: 20100248580
    Abstract: A jet propulsion construction toy assembly includes a container mounted on a movable brick assembly. A launching unit includes a launching seat permitting extension of a nozzle of the container thereinto and having an inlet. When the nozzle extends into the launching seat, an actuator mounted movably in said launching seat is operable to engage the nozzle such that said container is filled with fluid including air and liquid and pumped out of a barrel by a pump through first and second conduits, the inlet and the nozzle. Thereafter, when the nozzle is released from the launching seat due to disengagement between the nozzle and the actuator, jet of the fluid from the container through the nozzle forms a propulsion force to drive movement of a combination of the brick assembly and the container away from the launching unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2010
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Inventor: Wen-Pin Lin
  • Patent number: 7617818
    Abstract: An apparatus has a container with a cavity containing a medium, and the container is sealed with a membrane that ruptures at a rupture pressure. A pressurizer pressurizes the cavity to at least the rupture pressure, and a projectile is disposed externally to the cavity during the pressurization. The projectile is propelled by the medium following rupture of the membrane. Preferred containers include pressurized cylinders, gun barrels, and ammunition cartridges, and preferred media include air, pressurized air and explosives, and a particularly preferred apparatus is a toy rocket launcher.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2009
    Assignee: William Mark Corporation
    Inventors: David Túrchik, William Mark Forti
  • Patent number: 7549416
    Abstract: A launch vehicle includes an air pump, an injection valve, a connecting member, a trigger, and a projectile. Thus, the launch vehicle is operated on the ground and is also operated in a hand-held manner, thereby enhancing the amusement effect of the launch vehicle. In addition, the user only needs to hold the air pump and the trigger so as to launch the projectile easily and conveniently in an energy-saving manner, thereby facilitating the user operating the launch vehicle. Further, the launch vehicle has a simplified construction to perform the hand-held launching function, thereby decreasing the costs of fabrication. Further, the launch vehicle is further provided with a safety device to prevent the trigger from being triggered unintentionally to protect the user's safety.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2009
    Inventor: Jeng-Chian Lin
  • Publication number: 20090137181
    Abstract: A toy plane includes a body made by light material such as polylone and a pressurized container is securely engaged with a groove defined in an underside of the body. The pressurized container includes a closed front end and a nozzle which connected to a rear end of the pressurized container. Water and pressurized air are received in the pressurized container. The wings and stabilizers on the body are well secured by any known method so that they do not separated from the body when the pressurized container releases the pressure to launch the plane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2007
    Publication date: May 28, 2009
    Inventor: Ping-Sung Chang
  • Patent number: 6957526
    Abstract: A pressure-actuated rocket system comprises a bottom base, a detonator and a rocket body. A top base is placed on a top surface of the bottom base. At least one through hole is located on a side of the top base and extended to an opening of the top surface. The hollow detonator has a closed and an opened ends. The rocket body is a bottle with fins. After soda powder is placed inside the detonator and vinegar is filled into the rocket body, the bottom base, the detonator and the rocket body are held inclined. The openings are aimed at the inclined bottom base in turn, the pressure-actuated rocket system is then turned upside down. Soda powder subsequently falls and reacts with vinegar, and gas is generated. A pressure accumulates inside the rocket body until it is high enough to shoot the rocket body up.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2005
    Inventor: Chitsan Lin
  • Patent number: 6926576
    Abstract: This invention is a long thin rocket that launches forward and glides backward after an ejection pitch maneuver with no moving parts. It takes advantage of a shift in center of pressure caused by a change in the angle of incidence of the rocket. This change in angle of incidence is caused by the side thrust pitch maneuver. The pitch maneuver is initiated by the ejection charge out a side thrust port or other side thrusting apparatus at a location on the rocket causing a large torque about the center of gravity of the rocket. The center of gravity of the rocket after the pitch is optimally less than 60% of the way between the Barrowman center of pressure and the center of lateral area center of pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2005
    Inventors: Peter Curtis Alway, Robert Matthew Alway
  • Patent number: 6799516
    Abstract: A reusable aluminum fire cup having a dome-shaped cap and including an ordinary fire cracker placed in a copper tube, then placed in a container with small amount of water, and then ignited, the fire cracker's blast and the pressure from the water will propel the fire cup high into the air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2004
    Inventors: Joseph Patrick Lucero, Sr., Kelly Jane Lucero, Joseph Patrick Lucero, Jr., Brandon Scott Lucero
  • Patent number: 6435932
    Abstract: A model space vehicle having a fixed circular wing, streamlined fuselage, fins with booms attached thereto all efficiently configured to result in an article possessing suitable aerodynamic properties to enable it to glide smoothly through the air for a substantial period of time and substantial distance relative to its size and weight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2002
    Inventor: Anthony Lynn
  • Patent number: 6022260
    Abstract: A model rocket kit which has a substantially lower material and manufacturing cost is provided. The model rocket kit includes at least one flat sheet of cardboard material which includes the outlines of the various components of a model rocket such as the rocket frame, nose cone, and recovery device. In order to assemble the model rocket, the various components are either punched by means of perforations or cut out of the flat sheet of cardboard material. The various components of the model rocket are then folded into the appropriate form and secured using conventional adhesive tape or the like. The resulting model rocket has a structurally stable and aerodynamic configuration which is reusable and results in a stable and true flight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2000
    Inventor: John Fritzel
  • Patent number: 5881706
    Abstract: A toy rocket launcher for launching a common bottle such as a plastic two liter beverage bottle in the air with pneumatic pressure. The toy rocket launcher includes a support stand having a top member and a plurality of support legs downwardly depending from the top member. The top member has a hole through which the upper end of a conduit is upwardly extended. An end of a hose is coupled to a lower end of the conduit to fluidly connect the hose to the conduit. A pneumatic pump is attached to a second end of the hose for pumping air into the hose. The upper end of the conduit is inserted into an opening in the neck of an inverted beverage bottle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1999
    Inventor: William C. Carson
  • Patent number: 5712446
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to an apparatus and method a flat-side model rocket. In the preferred embodiment, the model rocket is four-sided, and may be constructed by a user from wooden pieces that are pre-cut and pre-engraved with a sealed-CO.sub.2 laser. The model rocket of the present invention is compatible with existing model rocket engines, launching apparatuses, and parachute-type recovery apparatuses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 27, 1998
    Inventor: David R. Spence
  • Patent number: 5507451
    Abstract: A shuttle launch system for a model rocket which includes a model rocket engine having a propellant charge for propelling the model rocket in a first direction and an ejection charge for ejecting matter in a second direction generally opposite the first direction consists of a booster rocket having a longitudinally extended tube with a peripheral sidewall, an inner chamber and top and bottom ends and an engine-receiving chamber adjacent the bottom end of the tube. A shuttle glider support structure is mounted on the booster rocket for releasably supporting a shuttle glider thereon. A fluid passage extends between the inner chamber of the booster rocket and the shuttle glider support structure such that a portion of gas within the inner chamber is redirected from the inner chamber through the fluid passage and out of the shuttle glider support structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 16, 1996
    Inventor: Eugene Karnish
  • Patent number: 5304090
    Abstract: A catapultable or rocket propelled toy helicopter (100,200) are provided that have foldable rotor blades (16 and 16') and a forwardly inclined rotor shaft surface (8) against which a rotor shaft (9) rests during flight that in combination with a balancing weight (28) enhance the spreading of rotor blades (16 and 16') at the apex of flight and the pitch and forward movement of the helicopter during flight thereafter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 19, 1994
    Inventor: Robert R. Vanni
  • Patent number: 5199643
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for providing an operable variable geometry exhaust nozzle for scale model jet aircraft. A multiplicity of hinged, overlapping, nozzle blades circumferentially surround the exhaust nozzle thereby providing a divergent cylindrical exhaust nozzle that may be convergingly reduced to a conical configuration by action of a remotely controlled solenoid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 6, 1993
    Inventor: Walter J. Rozmus
  • Patent number: 5197452
    Abstract: The present invention involves a liquid jet propelled transporter and launcher toy. The launcher has a housing with a reservoir for holding a predetermined amount of liquid therein less than the volume of a transporter container and related to that volume. There is a reservoir fill port and cap to enable a user to fill the reservoir and close it. The launcher has a jet tube receiver adapted to receive a jet tube of a transporter. A pump is connected to the housing with a manually actuated pump and a one way valve from the pump to the reservoir. There is a transporter latch mechanism located on the housing and a release for releasing the latch mechanism so as to launch a transporter. The transporter includes a container for receiving liquid from the reservoir of the housing and a jet tube extending from the container which is adapted to fit onto the jet tube located in the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 30, 1993
    Inventors: Lonnie G. Johnson, Bruce M. D'Andrade
  • Patent number: 4923196
    Abstract: An engine-spiraled, stabilized toy football including a skeleton made up of a plurality of spaced ribs collectively configured as a truncated football. An external skin of strong, thin plastic covers the skeleton. A generally conical zone at each end of the football is not covered by the skin. The circular opening thus formed at one end accommodates an air intake pod. An engine mounting tube is disposed centrally on the interior of the football and is secured to the skeleton of the ball and opens out of the opposite end of the ball from the air intake pod. An engine is secured in the engine mounting tube and drives a propeller housed within a gyroscopic propeller ring. The propeller and gyroscopic ring turn freely within the skeleton and skin, and function to pull air through the air intake pod and force the air out the open end of the engine mounting tube at the opposite end of the ball. A system is provided within the ball for starting and fueling the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 8, 1990
    Inventor: Daniel Z. Rohring
  • Patent number: 4687455
    Abstract: A flying model rocket includes a body made up of several telescoping segments with a model rocket engine at one end. The telescoping segments are movable between a retracted condition, for ease of transport and storage, and an extended condition, for greater visibility. A recovery system includes a collapsible recovery surface, such as a parachute or paraglider, mounted to the outside of one of the telescoping segments, and a recovery surface containment structure, secured to an adjacent telescoping segment. According to the method of recovery, the recovery surface and the containment structure are positioned so that when their associated telescoping segments are telescopically retracted, the containment structure keeps the recovery surface in a stowed condition external of, and typically next to, the outer surface of the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1985
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1987
    Inventor: Ron Sculatti
  • Patent number: 4685289
    Abstract: A ducted fan type model aircraft power plant having a mounting for a one cylinder internal combustion model aircraft engine. The preferred engine utilized a special vertically oriented carburetor. A duct is supported by a set of stators having an aerodynamic shape for straightening airflow through the duct. A fan having seven identical individual replaceable blades is disposed at the front of the duct and directly driven by the engine. One stator is adapted to essentially enclose the vertical carburetor and to smoothly direct the airflow from the fan around the carburetor to the engine cylinder for cooling. The stator has an opening to the carburetor air inlet for providing air under pressure thereto. The stator shapes cooperate with the duct and aft fairings of the power plant to deliver a smooth airstream having a uniform non-turbulent flow to produce a maximum propulsive efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 1985
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1987
    Inventors: Robert S. Violett, W. Lee Anderson
  • Patent number: 4573937
    Abstract: A line-controlled, centrifugal fan, jet-propelled model airplane is disclosed in which the impeller of a fan contained within the fuselage of the aircraft is driven from a remote drive unit by an elongated flexible cable contained within a flexible sheath. The impeller rotates about an axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the airplane and is driven in a direction of rotation tending to rotate the airplane about its lateral axis in a nose-up direction, due to the frictional contact of the compressed air between the rotating impeller and the housing of the centrifugal fan mounted within the fuselage. A flywheel powered by the electric motor in the remote drive unit controls the rate of acceleration and deceleration of the aircraft as an electric motor in the drive unit is switched on and off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 1984
    Date of Patent: March 4, 1986
    Inventor: Victor Stanzel
  • Patent number: 4557107
    Abstract: A ducted fan type model aircraft power plant having a mounting for a one cylinder internal combustion model aircraft engine. The preferred engine utilizes a special vertically oriented carburetor. A duct is supported by a set of stators having an aerodynamic shape for straightening airflow through the duct. A fan having seven identical individual replaceable blades is disposed at the front of the duct and directly driven by the engine. One stator is adapted to essentially enclose the vertical carburetor and to smoothly direct the airflow from the fan around the carburetor to the engine cylinder for cooling. The stator has an opening to the carburetor air inlet for providing air under pressure thereto. The stator shapes cooperate with the duct and aft fairings of the power plant to deliver a smooth airstream having a uniform non-turbulent flow to produce a maximum propulsive efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 1981
    Date of Patent: December 10, 1985
    Inventors: Robert S. Violett, W. Lee Andersen
  • Patent number: 4466213
    Abstract: Two embodiments of a toylike aerial flight device having a simulated rocket configuration are described. The first embodiment is manually powered and the second embodiment is powered by a solid-fuel propellant cartridge having a thrust charge and a retro-fire charge. Both embodiments follow similar flight paths, namely, a substantially linear elevating launch to the crest of flight followed by a slow gyrating descent. Both embodiments have a head projecting forwardly from the body, a pair of swept-back wings symmetrically disposed relative the body, and a pair of weight segments whose position relative the center of gravity of the flight device is fairly critical. In the solid-fuel powered device, the retro-fire charge is ignited at about the crest of flight to tilt the head about a pivot hinge. This tilting action promotes gyrating flight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1983
    Date of Patent: August 21, 1984
    Inventors: Dominec Alberico, Jack A. Albert
  • Patent number: RE34383
    Abstract: An engine-spiraled, stabilized toy football including a skeleton made up of a plurality of spaced ribs collectively configured as a truncated football. An external skin of strong, thin plastic covers the skeleton. A generally conical zone at each end of the football is not covered by the skin. The circular opening thus formed at one end accommodates an air intake pod. An engine mounting tube is disposed centrally on the interior of the football and is secured to the skeleton of the ball and opens out of the opposite end of the ball from the air intake pod. An engine is secured in the engine mounting tube and drives a propeller housed within a gyroscopic propeller ring. The propeller and gyroscopic ring turn freely within the skeleton and skin, and function to pull air through the air intake pod and force the air out the open end of the engine mounting tube at the opposite end of the ball. A system is provided within the ball for starting and fueling the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1993
    Inventor: Daniel Z. Rohring