Patents by Inventor Eric Ronald Walmsley

Eric Ronald Walmsley has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 6698685
    Abstract: A circular VTOL aircraft with a central vertically mounted jet or rocket engine 7, (or engines) having below vertical thrust vents 14 at cardinal points, together with a jet/rocket engine 20 (or engines) horizontally mounted on turntable pod 16 which is steerable through 360 degrees and centrally situated below the vertical engine (s). Alternatively the horizontal engine can be replaced by central thrust vent 36 delivering thrust from the vertical engine to vectored thrust nozzle 37 attached to the turntable. Thrust from the four vertical thrust vents is controlled by valves 21 giving VTOL thrust control as well as pitch and bank control. The horizontal engine provides acceleration and retro-thrust for horizontal flight and directional control through 360 degrees. The passenger cabin is situated in the main body of the aircraft. Fuel tanks are installed around the central engines. The flight-deck is situated at the top-centre of the craft above the engines, which are detachable for maintenance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2004
    Inventor: Eric Ronald Walmsley
  • Publication number: 20030127559
    Abstract: A circular VTOL aircraft with a central vertically mounted jet or rocket engine 7, (or engines) having below vertical thrust vents 14 at cardinal points, together with a jet rocket engine 20 (or engines) horizontally mounted on turntable pod 16 which is steerable through 360 degrees and centrally situated below the vertical engine (s). Alternatively the horizontal engine can be replaced by central thrust vent 36 delivering thrust from the vertical engine to vectored thrust nozzle 37 attached to the turntable. Thrust from the four vertical thrust vents is controlled by valves 21 giving VTOL thrust control as well as pitch and bank control. The horizontal engine provides acceleration and retro-thrust for horizontal flight and directional control through 360 degrees. The passenger cabin is situated in the main body of the aircraft. Fuel tanks are installed around the central engines. The flight-deck is situated at the top-centre of the craft above the engines, which are detachable for maintenance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2002
    Publication date: July 10, 2003
    Inventor: Eric Ronald Walmsley
  • Patent number: 6581872
    Abstract: A circular VTOL aircraft with a central vertically mounted turboprop engine (14), driving contra-rotating co-axial propellers (24), above a central jet engine, or engines (12), horizontally mounted on a turntable pod (11) which is steerable through 360 degrees. The turboprop provides vertical thrust from contra-rotating propellers compressing air from an upper circular intake (5) downward through a funnel-shaped rotor-chamber (6) to a circular vent (10) at the base of the craft. The resulting column of compressed air supports the craft during take-off, hover and landing operations and provides a cushion of air in normal flight. The horizontally mounted jet turbine provides main thrust for horizontal flight and vectored thrust for VTOL. The passenger cabin (21) is circular and is situated in the main body of the disc-shaped craft. Fuel tanks are situated around the circumference of the craft to maximise fuel capacity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2003
    Inventor: Eric Ronald Walmsley
  • Publication number: 20030098388
    Abstract: A circular VTOL aircraft with a central vertically mounted turboprop engine 14, driving contra-rotating co-axial propellers 24, above a central jet engine (or engines) 12, horizontally mounted on a turntable pod 11 which is steerable through 360 degrees. The turboprop provides vertical thrust from contra-rotating propellers compressing air from an upper circular intake 5 downward through a circular shaped rotor-chamber 6 to a circular vent 10 at the base of the craft. The resulting column of compressed air supports the craft during take-off and landing operations and provides a cushion of air in normal flight. The horizontally mounted jet turbine provides main thrust for horizontal flight and vectored thrust for VTOL. The passenger cabin 21 is circular and is situated in the main body of the disc-shaped craft. Fuel tanks are situated around the circumference of the craft to maximise fuel capacity. The flight-deck 2 is situated at the top centre of the craft, above the engine unit 15, which is detachable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2001
    Publication date: May 29, 2003
    Inventor: Eric Ronald Walmsley