Abstract:
An unmanned aerial vehicle, such as a remotely-piloted airplane, includes lift-producing wings that have batteries embedded or otherwise located within them. Locating the batteries within the wings allows more efficient use of the interior space of the unmanned vehicle. Space within a fuselage of the vehicle, which would otherwise be used for batteries, may be used for other components. Alternatively, fuselage, weight and/or size of the unmanned aerial vehicle may be reduced. In addition, locating the batteries within the wings may provide better structural performance of the wings, and/or may allow characteristics of the wings, such as inertia and moments, to be optimized.
Abstract:
VTOL micro-aircraft comprising a first and a second ducted rotor mutually aligned and distanced according to a common axis and whose propellers are driven in rotation in mutually opposite directions. Between the two ducted rotors are positioned a fuselage and a wing system formed by wing profiles forming an X or an H configuration and provided with control flaps.
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.
Abstract:
A circular VTOL aircraft with a central vertically mounted jet or rocket engine 7, (or engines) having below vertical thrust vents 14 at cardinal points, together with a jet/rocket engine 20 (or engines) horizontally mounted on turntable pod 16 which is steerable through 360 degrees and centrally situated below the vertical engine (s). Alternatively the horizontal engine can be replaced by central thrust vent 36 delivering thrust from the vertical engine to vectored thrust nozzle 37 attached to the turntable. Thrust from the four vertical thrust vents is controlled by valves 21 giving VTOL thrust control as well as pitch and bank control. The horizontal engine provides acceleration and retro-thrust for horizontal flight and directional control through 360 degrees. The passenger cabin is situated in the main body of the aircraft. Fuel tanks are installed around the central engines. The flight-deck is situated at the top-centre of the craft above the engines, which are detachable for maintenance.
Abstract:
An airship system according to the invention has an airship (110), a base station (120), and at least three measurement points. The airship (110) emits ultrasonic waves upon receiving an instruction from the base station (120). Measurement point units (S1-S3) receive the ultrasonic waves, and thereby measure distances from the airship (110) to the respective measurement points. An MPU that is incorporated in the base station (120) calculates a position of the airship (110). The base station (120) controls a route of the airship (110) based on the calculated position by sending a flight instruction to the airship (110). In this manner, an airship system can be provided that makes it unnecessary for an operator to pilot the airship and that can reduce the load weight and the power consumption of the airship.
Abstract:
A vertical take-off and landing aircraft is configured so as to provide, when landing tail-first with its fuselage (1) in a generally vertical attitude, a touchdown area (21) at the tail of the aircraft at a position offset from a line extending along the length of the fuselage through the centre of gravity (23) of the aircraft such that after the touchdown area contacts a landing surface the aircraft topples under the action of gravity to bring an undercarriage (11, 13) of the aircraft into contact with the landing surface, thereby to attain a stable landed position.
Abstract:
A drone type aircraft having a telescopic fuselage and folding aerodynamic surfaces to facilitate installation in a limited capacity bomb bay or storage compartment of a launch aircraft. Prior to launch, the drone is lowered from the aircraft on a supporting frame, the aerodynamic surfaces are extended, and the nose section of the fuselage is extended. The added fuselage capacity is used as fuel tankage, which is filled from the launch aircraft to increase the operating range of the drone.
Abstract:
An aircraft is provided with a gas turbine engine having a plurality of shafts. A first shaft provides power to an electrical generator and a propeller, while a second shaft provides power to a refrigeration system. The refrigeration system may be integrated to the propeller, like a ducted fan, or on the outer skin of the aircraft.