Abstract:
A hybrid-electric propulsion system (100) includes a motor drive (102) and a rechargeable energy storage system (104) electrically connected to the motor drive. A gas turbine engine (106) is operatively connected to the motor drive (102) and the rechargeable energy storage system (104). An emergency power source (108) is operatively connected to the motor drive (102). The emergency power source (108) is a primary battery (120) in electrical communication with the motor drive (102). A method for providing emergency power to a hybrid electric propulsion system (100) includes determining whether one of a main engine power source and a rechargeable energy storage system (104) are available for powering a motor drive (102). The method includes initiating a primary battery (120) for powering the motor drive (102) if the main engine power source and the rechargeable energy storage system (104) are unavailable.
Abstract:
Procédé de gestion d'une demande de puissance P D pour assurer le fonctionnement d'un aéronef sans pilote, cet aéronef comportant un moteur à combustion interne (12) fournissant une puissance principale maximale P M susceptible de varier, dans lequel une tubine est alimentée avec les gaz d'échappement et entraîne un générateur électrique, l'énergie électrique étant ou bien stockée ou bien utilisée pour assister le moteur à combustion interne. Ce procédé de gestion est particulièrement adapté à un aéronef sans pilote à voilure tournante, en permettant le stockage d'une énergie électrique au moins égale à une énergie de récupération de l'aéronef en cas de panne du moteur à combustion interne, cette énergie de récupération permettant le contrôle de l'autorotation de l'aéronef et son atterrissage.
Abstract:
A pod (240) for an unmanned aerial vehicle is provided that may be removed and reattached to the vehicle. The pod comprises an outer shell, within which a variety of payloads may be carried. A first surface on the vehicle frame comprises a plurality of connects or electrical traces. The plurality of attachments are used to removably attach the pods to the first surface. Thus, a wide variety of payloads may be delivered using the same unmanned aerial vehicle, simply by removing and attaching different pods to a fixed vehicle core. These pods may be shaped so as to form part of the vehicle exterior, and when the pods are attached to the frame, they enhance the aerodynamics of the vehicle.
Abstract:
Methods and apparatuses for assembling, launching, recovering, disassembling, capturing, and storing unmanned aircraft (140) and other flight devices or projectiles are described. In one embodiment, the aircraft (140) can be assembled from a container (111) with little or no manual engagement by an operator. The container (111) can include a guide structure to control motion of the aircraft components. The aircraft (140) can be launched from an apparatus that includes an extendable boom (103). The boom (103) can be extended to deploy a recovery line (853) to capture the aircraft (140) in flight. The aircraft (140) can then be returned to its launch platform, disassembled, and stored in the container (111), again with little or no direct manual contact between the operator and the aircraft (140).
Abstract:
An unmanned rotor carried aerial vehicle comprises a propulsion unit (5) and a carrier (7) suspended from the propulsion unit. The propulsion unit (5) is connected to the carrier (7) via a cardan-like joint (9) for permitting limited tilting of the propulsion unit relative to the carrier in two orthogonal directions corresponding to the roll and pitch directions of the vehicle and for preventing relative movement between the propulsion unit and the carrier in the yaw direction of the vehicle.
Abstract:
VTOL micro-aircraft comprising a first and a second ducted rotor (1, 2) mutually aligned and distanced according to a common axis and whose propellers (4, 6) are driven in rotation in mutually opposite directions. Between the two ducted rotors (1, 2) are positioned a fuselage (3) and a wing system (13) formed by wing profiles (10, 11) forming an X or an H configuration and provided with control flaps (16).
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.