Abstract:
This invention relates to a small-sized radio controlled flying device propelled by a thermal engine (20) with pusher type airscrew (19) for remote sensing, said device enabling short take-off and landing and flying at maximum speed of 35 Km/h. The device comprises a pod and wings, the pod (1) being a rigid tricycle carriage dismountable by disengagement of substantially pyramidal jig with rear base (2) and front apex (7), lower plane (3), two lateral planes (4, 5) and an upper plane (6), the base being a welded one-piece element and comprising the engine, the airscrew, a tank and the radio control, the apex being a welded one-piece element, the lower plane and the two lateral planes comprising spars (11, 12) at least assembled at the base and at the apex, the lower plane comprising at its three end angles two rear wheels (8) and a front wheel (9), the front wheel being provided to protrude towards the front in the apex and the wheels being low pressure tires, the wings (13) being a caisson-type supple parachute, said wings being connected to the pod in an adjustable fashion by two front slings (17), two braking slings (18) acting on the two flaps/ailerons.
Abstract:
Disclosed is an aircraft, configured to have a wide range of flight speeds, consuming low levels of power for an extended period of time, while supporting a communications platform with an unobstructed downward-looking view. The aircraft includes an extendable slat at the leading edge of the wing, and a reflexed trailing edge. The aircraft comprises a flying wing extending laterally between two ends and a center point. The wing is swept and has a relatively constant chord. The aircraft also includes a power module configured to provide power via a fuel cell. The fuel cell stores liquid hydrogen as fuel, but uses gaseous hydrogen in the fuel cell. A fuel tank heater is used to control the boil-rate of the fuel in the fuel tank. The aircraft of the invention includes a support structure including a plurality of supports, where the supports form a tetrahedron that affixes to the wing.
Abstract:
Disclosed is an aircraft, configured to have a wide range of flight speeds, consuming low levels of power for an extended period of time, while supporting a communications platform with an unobstructed downward-looking view. The aircraft includes an extendable slat at the leading edge of the wing, and a reflexed trailing edge. The aircraft comprises a flying wing extending laterally between two ends and a center point. The wing is swept and has a relatively constant chord. The aircraft also includes a power module configured to provide power via a fuel cell. The fuel cell stores liquid hydrogen as fuel, but uses gaseous hydrogen in the fuel cell. A fuel tank heater is used to control the boil-rate of the fuel in the fuel tank. The aircraft of the invention includes a support structure including a plurality of supports, where the supports form a tetrahedron that affixes to the wing.
Abstract:
An improved VTOL/STOL free wing aircraft providing damping and absorption of shock landing loads upon landing. A pair of resilient struts is provided, projecting forwardly from the trailing edge of either side of the fuselage when the fuselage is tilted. Preferably, the aircraft includes a pair of articulated tail booms, the strut being a portion of the tail boom extending forward from the pivot axis of the tail boom. Landing wheels are disposed on the strut in tandem spaced relationship. The resiliency of the strut causes the strut to act as a leaf spring and thus dampen shock landing loads. Operatively secured to the bottom surface of the fixed wing portions and the forward portion of the landing gear struts is a pair of dashpots for absorbing the shock landing loads.
Abstract:
A VTOL/STOL free wing aircraft includes a free wing having wings on opposite sides of a fuselage connected to one another respectively for free rotation about a spanwise access. Improved control upon landing of the aircraft is achieved by utilizing a variable pitch propulsion system, enabling the pitch of the propeller to be varied corresponding to the speed of the aircraft and angle of approach upon descent.
Abstract:
A VTOL/STOL free wing aircraft includes a free wing having wings on opposite sides of a fuselage connected to one another respectively adjacent fixed wing inboard or center root sections fixedly attached to the fuselage for free rotation about a spanwise access. Horizontal and vertical tail surfaces are located at the rear end of a boom assembly rotatably connected to the fuselage. A gearing or screw rod arrangement controlled by the pilot or remote control operator selectively relatively pivots the fuselage in relation to the tail boom assembly to enable the fuselage to assume a tilted or nose up configuration to enable VTOL/STOL flight.
Abstract:
A terrain surveillance, powered aircraft is disclosed to have an on-board video camera that is not gimballed relative to the aircraft, the aircraft typically comprising multiple components; the method of the invention including: assembling the components into aircraft configuration at or near a launch site; launching the aircraft at that site with no human pilot on board same; remotely controlling the flight path of the aircraft by radio or cable link, to fly to a location for terrain surveillance; operating the on-board video camera to survey the terrain while varying yaw of the aircraft to provide sweep viewing of the terrain; and recovering the aircraft by controlling its flight to steeply descend to a landing zone.
Abstract:
This disclosure describes a configuration of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) landing gear assembly that includes adjustable landing gear extension that may be extended or contracted so that the body of the UAV is contained in a horizontal plane when the UAV is landed, even on sloping surfaces. For example, when a UAV is landing, the slope of the surface may be determined and the landing gear extensions adjusted based on the slope so that the body of the UAV remains approximately horizontal when the UAV lands and is supported by the landing gear extensions.
Abstract:
A method of launching a powered unmanned aerial vehicle, the method comprising lifting the vehicle by attachment to a lighter-than-air carrier from a substantially ground-level location to an elevated altitude, wherein the vehicle is prevented from entering its flight mode during ascent, causing the vehicle to detach from the carrier while the velocity of the vehicle relative to the carrier is substantially zero, the vehicle thereafter decreasing in altitude as it accelerates to a velocity where it is capable of preventing any further descent and can begin independent sustained flight.