Abstract:
A payload quick release mechanism (100) for an unmanned aerial vehicle is affixed to a structure on the unmanned aerial vehicle, and allows for quick attachment and removal of a payload from the unmanned aerial vehicle. The attachment device comprises a body (110) with a perimeter and a plurality of arms (120) that extend from the body perimeter. Each arm (120) comprises an indented section (124), within which a tab extending from the payload top may be placed. When the payload tab rests within the indented section, the payload is prevented from translation and is attached to the mechanism.
Abstract:
An airship (20) has a generally spherical shape and has an internal envelope (24) for containing a lifting gas such as Helium or Hydrogen. The airship has a propulsion and control system (36, 38) that permits it to be flown to a desired loitering location, and to be maintained in that location for a period of time. In one embodiment the airship may achieve neutral buoyancy when the internal envelope is as little as 7 % full of lifting gas, and may have a service ceiling of about 60,000 ft. The airship has an equipment module (180) that can include either communications equipment, or monitoring equipment, or both. The airship can be remotely controlled from a ground station. The airship has a solar cell array and electric motors (44, 46) of the propulsion and control system are driven by power obtained from the array. The airship also has an auxiliary power unit (52) that can be used to drive the electric motors. The airship can have a pusher propeller that assists in driving the airship and also moves the point of flow separation of the spherical airship further aft. In one embodiment the airship can be refuelled at altitude to permit extended loitering.
Abstract:
The invention concerns a remote-controlled flying machine, in particular for surveillance and inspection, capable of hovering and comprising a spherical open-worked resistant shroud (40) integral with a cylindrical fairing (16) wherein rotates a propeller (10) powered by an engine (12) housed in a fuselage (18) secured to the fairing (16) with radial arms (28) and straightening vanes (30).
Abstract:
A VTOL/STOL free wing aircraft (100) includes a free wing (110) having wings on opposite sides of a fuselage (102) connected to one another respectively adjacent fixed wing inboard or center root sections (117) fixedly attached to the fuselage (102) for free rotation about a spanwise axis (112). Horizontal and vertical tail surfaces (138, 140) are located at the rear end of a boom assembly (120) rotatably connected to the fuselage (102). A gearing (150) or screw rod (160) arrangement controlled by the pilot or remote control operator selectively relatively pivots the fuselage (102) in relation to the tail boom assembly (120) to enable the fuselage to assume a tilted or nose up configuration to enable VTOL/STOL flight.
Abstract:
An integrated spline/cone seat subassembly (190) for an unmanned aerial vehicle (10) having a rotor assembly (100) that includes ducted, counter-rotating rotors (200, 202), comprising:
a rotor shaft (128R or 130R) having an axis, said rotor shaft (128R or 130R) including
a primary shaft portion (192) having a first diameter (D 1 ), an end shaft portion (194) having a second diameter (D 2 ) and having a plurality of shaft splines (198) extending radially outwardly therefrom, and a conic transition portion (196) intermediate said primary and end shaft portions (192, 194), said conic transition portion (196) making a predetermined angle (β) with respect to said axis of said rotor shaft (128R or 130R); and
a rotor hub (204) having a centerline (212), said rotor hub (204) having a shaft aperture (206) having a plurality of hub splines (208) extending radially inwardly therefrom; said plurality of hub splines (208) and said plurality of shaft splines (198) being interleaved in combination to provide a rotational interlock between said rotor hub (204) and said rotor shaft (128R or 130R) in the rotor assembly (100); characterized in that each of said hub splines (208) having an outwardly tapered lower portion (210) that makes a predetermined angle (θ) with respect to said centerline (212); and said predetermined angle (θ) of said outwardly tapered lower portions (210) of said hub splines (208) being equal to said predetermined angle (β) of said conic transition portion (196) of said rotor shaft (128R or 130R) wherein said tapered lower portions (210) of said hub splines (208) abuttingly engage and are mechanically supported by said conic transition portion (196) of said rotor shaft (128R or 130R) in the rotor assembly (100).
Abstract:
A VTOL/STOL free wing aircraft (100) includes a free wing (110) having wings on opposite sides of a fuselage (102) connected to one another respectively adjacent fixed wing inboard or center root sections (117) fixedly attached to the fuselage (102) for free rotation about a spanwise axis (112). Horizontal and vertical tail surfaces (138, 140) are located at the rear end of a boom assembly (120) rotatably connected to the fuselage (102). A gearing (150) or screw rod (160) arrangement controlled by the pilot or remote control operator selectively relatively pivots the fuselage (102) in relation to the tail boom assembly (120) to enable the fuselage to assume a tilted or nose up configuration to enable VTOL/STOL flight.
Abstract:
An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) (10) has a composite toroidal fuselage structure (20) that surrounds a rotor assembly (100) that includes pair of coaxial, multi-bladed, counter-rotating rotors (200, 202). The toroidal fuselage structure (20) includes an annular C-shaped structure (430) that defines an internal cavity (436) and removable panel structures (464) mounted in combination with the annular C-shaped structure (430). The UAV has a drive train assembly (60) that includes a sprag clutch (62), an engine coupling subassembly (63), a transmission coupling subassembly (74), and a drive shaft (72) operative to couple torque between the UAV engine (54) and the rotor assembly (100) and configured to maximize allowable axial, angular, and/or parallel misalignments therebetween. The UAV further includes a coaxial transmission/center hub assembly (110), an integrated spline/cone seat subassembly (190), rotor blade subassemblies including pretwisted inner flexbeams (260), and snubber assemblies (230).