Abstract:
Methods and apparatuses for launching, capturing, and storing unmanned aircraft and other flight devices or projectiles are described. In one embodiment, the aircraft can be assembled from a container with little or no manual engagement by an operator. The container can include a guide structure to control motion of the aircraft components. The aircraft can be launched from an apparatus that includes an extendable boom. The boom can be extended to deploy a recovery line to capture the aircraft in flight. The aircraft can then be returned to its launch platform, disassembled, and stored in the container, again with little or no direct manual contact between the operator and the aircraft.
Abstract:
Methods and apparatuses for launching and capturing unmanned aircraft and other flight devices or projectiles are described. In one embodiment, the aircraft can be launched from an apparatus that includes an extendable boom. The boom can be extended to deploy a recovery line to retrieve the aircraft in flight. The aircraft can then be retrieved from the recovery line. The boom can be retracted when not in use to reduce the volume it occupies.
Abstract:
Methods and apparatuses for launching, capturing, and storing unmanned aircraft and other flight devices or projectiles are described. In one embodiment, the aircraft can be assembled from a container with little or no manual engagement by an operator. The container can include a guide structure to control motion of the aircraft components. The aircraft can be launched from an apparatus that includes an extendable boom. The boom can be extended to deploy a recovery line to capture the aircraft in flight. The aircraft can then be returned to its launch platform, disassembled, and stored in the container, again with little or no direct manual contact between the operator and the aircraft.
Abstract:
Methods and apparatuses for launching unmanned aircraft and other flight devices or projectiles are described. In one embodiment, the aircraft can be launched from an apparatus that includes an extendable boom. A launch carriage is positioned on a launch guide structure of the boom and carries the aircraft during takeoff. An energy reservoir is configured to provide energy to the launch carriage during takeoff of the aircraft, and can absorb energy from the launch carriage to decelerate the launch carriage after takeoff. The apparatus can further include a transmission that smoothly and rapidly accelerates and/or decelerates the launch carriage.
Abstract:
A disclosed flying craft includes a suspension structure having a first end and a second end, a lift unit, and a payload unit. The lift unit includes a nacelle and a tailboom, 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:
Methods and apparatuses for capturing and recovering unmanned aircraft and other flight devices or projectiles are described. In one embodiment, the aircraft can be captured at an extendable boom. The boom can be extended to deploy a recovery line to retrieve the aircraft in flight. The boom can be retracted when not in use to reduce the volume it occupies. A tension device coupled to the recovery line can absorb forces associated with the impact of the aircraft and the recovery line.
Abstract:
There is provided an Unmanned Air Vehicle (UAV) including an engine and an airframe, including means for performing a deep stall maneouvre; at least one inflatable sleeve connected or connectable to the airframe, and means for inflating the sleeve during flight, wherein the inflated sleeve extends along the lower side of the airframe 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 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 powerplant system for a vehicle such as a hybrid UAV includes a miniature gas turbine engine and a gearbox assembly. The engine is mounted to the gearbox assembly through a support structure which provides for pivotal movement of the engine relative thereto. The input gear is engaged with two gears such that the pivoted engine arrangement permits the input gear to float until gear loads between the input gear and the first and second gear are balanced. Regardless of the gear teeth errors or gearbox shaft misalignments the input gear will float and split the torque between the two gears.
Abstract:
A system for launching, refuelling and recovering in flight an aircraft (10) such as an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) from a larger carrier aircraft (16) comprising a holder (22) on the carrier aircraft (16) to which the UAV (10) is detachably connectable and an extendable and retractable refuelling device (23, 24) on the carrier aircraft (16) detachably connectable to the UAV (10) whereby to launch the UAV it is disconnected from the holder (22), the refuelling device (23, 24) is extended with the UAV connected thereto to cause the UAV to trail behind the carrier aircraft and the UAV is then disconnected from the refuelling device.