Abstract:
An electrically powered vertical takeoff and vertical landing (VTOL) aircraft, which comprises at least two main propellers, wherein the main propellers are adapted to generate at least 70% of the aircraft propulsion. The aircraft also comprises at least one adjustment propeller, which has its propeller slipstream adapted to produce a torque relative to a first axis or the first and second axes with respect to a fuselage of the aircraft for turning the aircraft relative to said first axis or said first and second axes. In addition, not less than 35%, but not more than 85%, of the aircraft's mass is adapted to lie, during takeoff and/or landing, on a rear side of a propeller line of said main propellers with respect to a nose of the aircraft.
Abstract:
A propeller includes a hub coaxially surrounding a longitudinal axis. A ring shroud coaxially surrounds the longitudinal axis and is spaced radially from the hub. The ring shroud includes an inner ring surface and a radially spaced, oppositely facing outer ring surface. At least one propeller blade is fixedly attached to both the hub and the inner ring surface and extends radially therebetween for mutual rotation therewith. At least one extending blade has a first extending blade end radially spaced from a second extending blade end. The first extending blade end is fixedly attached to the outer ring surface. The second extending blade end is cantilevered from the first extending blade end and is radially spaced from the ring shroud.
Abstract:
L'invention concerne un procédé de conversion dynamique d'attitude d'un drone à voilure tournante comprenant un corps de drone (12) comprenant une carte électronique contrôlant le pilotage du drone et quatre bras de liaison (16), chaque bras comprenant fixé solidairement un bloc propulseur (14). Les bras de liaison (16) forment des ailes portantes. Le procédé comprend l'exécution, à réception d'une instruction de conversion de vol permettant au drone d'effectuer une conversion du vol entre un vol utilisant la voilure tournante et un vol utilisant au moins en partie la portance des ailes, ladite conversion étant définie par un angle de tangage à atteindre θ ref , d'une séquence d'étapes répétée jusqu'à atteindre ledit angle de tangage θ ref , estimer l'angle de tangage courant θ est dudit drone, déterminer une trajectoire angulaire en fonction de l'angle de tangage à atteindre θ ref , et envoyer une ou plusieurs commandes différenciées à un ou plusieurs blocs propulseurs de manière à produire une rotation du drone autour de l'axe de tangage, asservies à la trajectoire en angle et à l'angle de tangage courant estimé θ est .
Abstract:
This disclosure describes a configuration of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) that will facilitate extended flight duration. The UAV may have any number of lifting motors. For example, the UAV may include four lifting motors (also known as a quad-copter), eight lifting motors (octo-copter), etc. Likewise, to improve the efficiency of horizontal flight, the UAV also includes a pushing motor and propeller assembly that is oriented at approximately ninety degrees to one or more of the lifting motors. When the UAV is moving horizontally, the pushing motor may be engaged and the pushing propeller will aid in the horizontal propulsion of the UAV.
Abstract:
An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) capable of vertical and horizontal flight modes, a method for assembling a UAV, and a kit of parts for assembling a UAV. The UAV comprises a wing structure comprising elongated equal first and second wings; a support structure comprising first and second sections coupled to a middle position of the wing structure and extending in opposite directions perpendicular to the wing structure; and four propellers, each mounted to a respective one of the first and second wings, and first and second sections, for powering the UAV during both vertical and horizontal flight modes.
Abstract:
An unmanned aircraft (101; 201) comprises: - a drive system (112; 212) to thrust the unmanned aircraft (101; 201) during a flight; - a reverse thrust system (301) to reverse thrust the unmanned aircraft (101; 201) during a landing; - a controller (304) operationally coupled to the reverse thrust system (301); and - a detector (302) to detect and notify to the controller (304) that the unmanned aircraft (101; 201) is in an uncontrolled situation during the flight. The controller (304) is then adapted to activate the reverse thrust system (301) in order to reverse thrust the unmanned aircraft (101; 201) in-flight upon notification from the detector (302) that the unmanned aircraft (101; 201) is in an uncontrolled situation.