Modular aircraft assembly for airborne and ground transport
An aircraft for vertical take-off and landing includes an aircraft frame having an open frame portion, at least one vertical thruster, a pod, separable from the aircraft and including a cabin to contain at least one of cargo and passengers, where the pod, when mounted to the aircraft, defines at least a portion of the aircraft frame, and a mounting system including at least one attachment member configured to attach the pod to the open frame portion. Such aircraft is capable of flight with and without the pod.
1. An aircraft for vertical take-off and landing, comprising:
an aircraft frame comprising an open frame portion;
at least one vertical thruster;
a pod, separable from the aircraft frame and including a cabin to contain at least one of cargo and passengers, wherein the pod and the open frame portion of the aircraft frame comprise complimentary shapes such that when the pod is situated within the open frame portion, the combination defines a contoured, aerodynamic outer surface of at least a portion of the aircraft frame; and
a mounting system including at least one attachment member to attach the pod to the open frame portion and to maintain a structural integrity of the open frame portion;
wherein the aircraft frame is capable of flight with and without the pod.
2. The aircraft of claim 1 , wherein the aircraft frame comprises a wing providing a lift force during a horizontal flight.
3. The aircraft of claim 2 , wherein the mounting system is a part of the wing.
4. The aircraft of claim 1 , further comprising a horizontal thruster.
5. The aircraft of claim 1 , wherein the pod, when mounted to the aircraft frame, adds to the aerodynamic properties of the aircraft during flight.
6. The aircraft of claim 1 , wherein the at least one attachment member is a part of the aircraft frame.
7. The aircraft of claim 1 , wherein the pod comprises multiple pods.
8. The aircraft of claim 1 , wherein the pod comprises a ground transportation system.
9. The aircraft of claim 8 , wherein the ground transportation system is separable from the pod.
10. The aircraft of claim 8 , wherein the ground transportation system comprises wheels and a powertrain.
11. The aircraft of claim 8 , wherein the ground transportation system is an autonomously controlled system.
12. The aircraft of claim 1 , wherein the at least one attachment member of the mounting system provides structural support to the aircraft frame when the pod is detached.
13. The aircraft of claim 1 , wherein the mounting system comprises at least one of mounting locks, latches, braces or clamps for mounting the pod to the aircraft.
14. The aircraft of claim 1 , wherein the mounting system comprises a movable attachment member to facilitate the attachment and detachment of the pod.
15. The aircraft of claim 1 , wherein the mounting system is located in an aft portion of the aircraft.
16. The aircraft of claim 1 , wherein the aircraft frame comprises a fuselage portion.
17. The aircraft of claim 1 , wherein the at least one attachment member comprises a shape similar to an outer frame of the pod.
18. The aircraft of claim 1 , further comprising a system to control a location of a center of gravity of the aircraft.
19. The aircraft of claim 18 , wherein the system to control a location of a center of gravity is used during at least one of loading the pod, unloading the pod, or a transition between vertical and horizontal flight modes of the aircraft.
20. The aircraft of claim 18 , wherein the system to control a location of a center of gravity includes fluid containers, fluid transfer pipes and a pump.
21. The aircraft of claim 18 , wherein the system to control a location of a center of gravity includes ballast weights and an adjustable suspension system.
22. The aircraft of claim 1 , further comprising a flight control system to provide at least one of remote and autonomous flight control capabilities for the aircraft.
23. The aircraft of claim 22 , wherein the flight control system is configured to autonomously control a process for at least one of mounting or dismounting the pod from the aircraft frame.
24. An aircraft, comprising:
a wing portion providing a lift force during a horizontal flight;
at least one horizontal thruster;
a modular fuselage, comprising:
a pod, separable from a frame of the aircraft and including a cabin to contain at least one of cargo and passengers, wherein the pod and an open frame portion of the aircraft frame comprise complimentary shapes such that when the pod is situated within the open frame portion, the combination defines a contoured, aerodynamic surface of at least a portion of an outer frame of the aircraft; and
a mounting system including the open frame portion in the frame of the aircraft and at least one attachment member to attach the pod to the open frame portion in the aircraft frame and to maintain a structural integrity of the open frame portion;
wherein the aircraft frame is capable of flight with and without the pod.
25. The aircraft of claim 24 , further comprising at least one of a vertical thruster for providing a lift force for vertical take-off and landing or landing gear.
26. The aircraft of claim 24 , wherein the pod comprises a ground transport system comprising wheels and a powertrain.
27. The aircraft of claim 24 , wherein the pod has a shape that when mounted to the aircraft frame forms a continuous outer surface with at least one of the wing portion or the modular fuselage.
28. An aircraft for vertical take-off and landing, comprising:
an aircraft frame;
at least one vertical thruster;
a pod, separable from the aircraft frame and including a cabin to contain at least one of cargo and passengers, wherein the pod and an open frame portion of the aircraft frame comprise complimentary shapes such that when the pod is situated within the open frame portion, the combination defines a contoured, aerodynamic surface of at least an outer portion of the frame of the aircraft; and
a mounting system including an open frame portion in the aircraft frame, and at least one attachment member to attach the pod to the open frame portion in the aircraft frame and to maintain a structural integrity of the open frame portion;
wherein the aircraft frame is capable of flight with and without the pod.
29. The aircraft of claim 28 , wherein the pod comprises a ground transport comprising wheels and a powertrain.