Abstract:
There is provided an Unmanned Air Vehicule (uav) (2) including an engine (4) and an airframe (6), including means for performing a deep stall maneouvre; at least one inflatable sleeve (12) connected or connectable to the airframe (6), and means for inflating the sleeve (12) during flight, wherein the inflated sleeve (12) extends along the lower side of the airframe (6) so as to protect same during deep stall landing. A method for operating an Unmanned Air Vehicle (UAV), including an engine and an airframe is also provided.
Abstract:
A disclosed flying craft (100) includes a suspension structure (110) having a first end and a second end, a lift unit (150), and a payload unit (190). The lift unit includes a nacelle (128) and a tailboom (140), and pivotally couples to the first end of the suspension structure, and a payload unit couples to the structure's second end. Thus the tailboom can pivotally couple with respect to the payload unit, which advantageously permits the tailboom to assume an orientation desirable for a particular mode of flight. During vertical flight or hover, the tailboom can hang from the lift unit in an orientation that is substantially parallel to the suspension structure and that minimizes resistance to downwash from the lift unit. During horizontal flight, the tailboom can be orthogonal to the suspension structure, extending rearward in an orientation where it can develop pitching and yawing moments to control and stabilize horizontal flight. Advantageous variations and methods are also disclosed.
Abstract:
A modular automated air transport system comprising an unmanned autonomous aircraft having a selectively detachable control systems portion and a structural air frame portion, wherein the structural air frame portion contains an interior cargo hold, aerodynamic members having control surfaces and at least one propulsion device attached to the structural air frame portion; and wherein the control system portion includes a control computer for autonomously controlling the flight of said air transport system from one known location to a second known location.
Abstract:
A modular automated air transport system comprising an unmanned autonomous aircraft having a selectively detachable control systems portion and a structural air frame portion, wherein the structural air frame portion contains an interior cargo hold, aerodynamic members having control surfaces and at least one propulsion device attached to the structural air frame portion; and wherein the control system portion includes a control computer for autonomously controlling the flight of said air transport system from one known location to a second known location.
Abstract:
A small aircraft such as a UAV having a gas turbine engine with the outer bypass elements removed from the engine, and where the airframe is modified to form the bypass duct and exhaust nozzle for the fan produced bypass flow of the engine in order to reduce weight, size and cost of the small aircraft. The outer casing and the exhaust nozzle is removed from the engine and optimally integrated into the airframe structure.
Abstract:
An aircraft is provided with a gas turbine engine having a plurality of shafts. A first shaft provides power to an electrical generator and a propeller, while a second shaft provides power to a refrigeration system. The refrigeration system may be integrated to the propeller, like a ducted fan, or on the outer skin of the aircraft.
Abstract:
Current aircraft technology comprises of fixed wing, multi rotor and vectored engine design. The synthesis of fixed wing technology and vectoring engine technology has been implemented but limited to traditional fixed wing design aircraft. The aircraft presented has been designed with an innovation in airframe expectation, improved vectoring engine design system, and landing gear system.
Abstract:
The modular aircraft system includes a single fuselage having a permanently installed empennage and plural sets of wing modules and engine modules, with each wing and engine module optimized for different flight conditions and missions. The fuselage and each of the modules are configured for rapid removal and installation of the modules to minimize downtime for the aircraft. Short wings having relatively low aspect ratio are provided for relatively high speed flight when great endurance and/or weight carrying capacity are not of great concern. Long wings having high aspect ratio are provided for longer range and endurance flights where speed is not absolutely vital. A medium span wing module is also provided. Turboprop, single turbojet, and dual turbojet engine modules are provided for installation depending upon mission requirements for any given flight. The aircraft is primarily adapted for use as an autonomously operated or remotely operated unmanned aerial vehicle.
Abstract:
An in-flight battery recharging system for Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV). This invention converts byproducts of a multi-rotor unmanned aerial vehicle's conventional propulsion system operation and airframe movements to generate electricity that, in turn, is used to power the propulsion system's electric motors, power onboard electronic components, and recharge the battery that initially powers the propulsion system's electric motors. Having this ability of recharging the battery in-flight gives an unmanned aerial vehicle a much improved flight time and range, thereby greatly increasing its utility.
Abstract:
A method of managing a power demand to assure the operation of a pilotless aircraft. The aircraft includes an internal combustion engine supplying a maximum principal power which can vary. The management method is particularly suitable for a rotary wing pilotless aircraft. It guarantees the storage of an amount of electrical energy at least equal to a recovery energy of the aircraft in the event of failure of the internal combustion engine. This recovery energy enables the control of autorotation and landing of the aircraft.