Abstract:
A flyer assembly is adapted for launching with, transit in, and deployment from an artillery shell having a central void region extending along a ballistic shell axis. The flyer assembly includes a jettisonable shroud and a flyer. The shroud extends along a shroud axis, and is positionable within the central void region with the shroud axis substantially parallel to the shell axis. The flyer is adapted to withstand a launch acceleration force along a flyer axis when in a first state, and to effect aerodynamic flight when in a second state. When in the first state, the flyer is positionable within the shroud with the flyer axis parallel to the shroud axis and the shell axis. The flyer includes a body member disposed about the flyer axis, and a foldable wing assembly mounted to the body member. The wing assembly is configurable in a folded state characterized by a plurality of nested wing segments when the flyer is in the first state. The wing assembly is configurable in an unfolded state characterized by a substantially uninterrupted aerodynamic surface when the flyer is in the second state. The flyer assembly is adapted to be launched from a ballistic delivery system such as an artillery cannon, and can thus reach a target quickly, without expending system energy stored within the flyer. During launch, the flyer is coupled to the shroud so as to maintain a portion of the flyer in tension during an acceleration of the flyer along the flyer axis resulting from the launch. The flyer assembly is adapted to withstand the high g-load an high temperature environments of a cannon launch, and can tolerate a set-back g load of about 16,000 g.
Abstract:
The invention relates to an aircraft with vertical takeoff and landing and its operation method. Aircraft with vertical takeoff and landing of aerodyne type according to the invention comprises a circular symmetrical aerodynamic body (1) having an internal stiffening platform (2) located on the chord of the aerodynamic profile and which supports the components of the aircraft, at least four vertical ducted propellers (3a), (3b), (3c), (3d) arranged symmetrically to the central vertical axis of the carrier body (1), but also to the predetemined flight axis and to the transverse axis of the carrier body (1), propellers (3a) and (3c) having the same rotational direction opposite to that of propellers (3b) and (3d) at least two horizontal ducted propellers (4) with opposite rotation directions located inside the carrier body or outside of it, placed parallel symmetrical with the predetermined flight axis and on both sides of it, vector nozzles (5), one for each horizontal propeller (4), which provides vector orientation to jets of the horizontal ducted propellers (4), the means of power supply (6), which are designed to provide electricity necessary to operate all engines and all electrical and electronic devices on board, an electronic control and management flight module (7) and a landing gear (9), which aims to promote contact between the aircraft and the ground.
Abstract:
A system and method for resisting an uncontrolled descent or uncontrolled flight condition of an aerial vehicle. The system includes a control system, sensors, an inflation device, and a deployable, inflatable assembly. The control system detects an uncontrolled condition using the sensors, and subsequently initiates the inflation device to inflate the inflatable assembly. The assembly includes an inflatable cage stored on and deployed from the aerial vehicle upon detection of an uncontrolled condition. The inflatable cage includes a hub, a perimeter tube, and support tubes connected between the hub and perimeter tube. Fill tubes enable inflation of the support and perimeter tubes. The assembly includes a parachute-material enclosure connected to the inflatable cage and structured to create drag to reduce a velocity of the aerial vehicle when the inflatable assembly is deployed. The assembly includes weight distribution straps physically coupled between the vehicle and the enclosure or inflatable cage.
Abstract:
Disclosed is a configuration to control automatic return of an aerial vehicle. The configuration stores a return location in a storage device of the aerial vehicle. The return location may correspond to a location where the aerial vehicle is to return. One or more sensors of the aerial vehicle are monitored during flight for detection of a predefined condition. When a predetermined condition is met a return path program may be loaded for execution to provide a return flight path for the aerial vehicle to automatically navigate to the return location.
Abstract:
An unmanned aerial vehicle apparatus comprises a frame. Further, the unmanned aerial vehicle apparatus comprises a propulsion mechanism coupled to the frame that propels the frame through the air. In addition, the unmanned aerial vehicle apparatus comprises a storage device that stores one or more airbags and is coupled to the frame. The unmanned aerial vehicle apparatus also comprises an inflation device coupled to the frame that receives an activation signal and inflates the one or more airbags based upon receipt of the activation signal to deploy the one or more airbags from the storage device prior to an impact of the frame with an object.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to unattended ground sensors for detecting the presence of a pedestrian or vehicle in a monitored area using seismic sensors. Networks of simple and inexpensive sensors are disclosed that may be rapidly deployed from the air. Each ground sensor is provided with a rotor that slows the rate of descent of the ground sensor during deployment.