Abstract:
An aerial vehicle is described which comprises: a first compartment for holding a lighter than air gas; a second compartment for holding atmospheric air and having an inlet and an outlet; a solar panel for converting sunlight into electricity; a compressor for pumping atmospheric air through the inlet into the second compartment; control means for controlling the pitch and yaw of the vehicle; and a controller for controlling the buoyancy of the vehicle via the compressor and the outlet such that the vehicle is either lighter than the surrounding air and rising or heavier than the surrounding air and falling, and for controlling the control means such that the rising and falling motion includes a horizontal component. In another embodiment the solar panel is replaced by an engine and a fuel tank for storing fuel for the engine is also provided. The aerial vehicle can remain airborne for extended periods by using buoyancy propulsion. In the embodiments including a solar panel, a system including a light transmission station may be provided to supply energy to the solar panel from the light transmission station rather than relying on the incident sunlight alone. A method of flight using buoyancy propulsion is also described.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to a vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircraft, including a body (120), two or more rotary units (130) coupled to the body, each having both a rotating shaft (131) and a blade (135), and a casing (201) covering both the body and the rotary units and being provided with openings (201a). The casing (201) may be formed into a duct shape with an opening to receive the rotary unit therein, or may be provided with a sidewall (203) to surround the blade. Each opening (201a) may have a protective means (207). The reaction torques of the rotary units can balance each other without requiring a separate balancing device. The casing covers the blades, thus preventing the generation of unbalanced lift on the rotating blades, unlike conventional helicopters, when the VTOL aircraft flies forwards. Furthermore, because the rotary units are prevented from coming into contact with outside articles, the aircraft prevents breakage of the rotary units and damage to outside articles. Due to a structural feature of the casing, the thrust to propel the VTOL aircraft can be increased by about 10 ~ 15%. Furthermore, a rudder (301) is provided in the casing, thus allowing the VTOL aircraft to freely yaw or fly forwards and backwards according to the orientation of the rudder.
Abstract:
A system and method for tilting an engine in a vertical take-off and landing/short take-off and landing aircraft (VTOL/STOL A/C) is provided comprising a main control system, an engine tilting mechanism, and an air flow volume detector, which is located in the engine. The system and method tilt the engine to maximize engine performance based on a variety of parameters including the air flow volume so that forward and horizontal speeds are maximized at the appropriate times, and also to reduce radar cross section and infra-red visibility.
Abstract translation:提供了一种用于使发动机在垂直起飞和着陆/短距起飞和降落飞机(VTOL / STOL A / C)中倾斜的系统和方法,其包括主控制系统,发动机倾斜机构和空气流量 探测器,位于发动机中。 该系统和方法倾斜发动机以基于包括空气流量在内的各种参数使发动机性能最大化,从而使前进和水平速度在适当的时间最大化,并且还减小雷达横截面和红外可见度。
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:
A micro air vehicle (10) having a bendable wing (12) enabling the micro air vehicle to fly. The bendable wing (12) may be bent downwards so that the wingspan may be reduced for storing the micro air vehicle. The bendable wing (12) may be formed from one or more layers of material (22), and the wing may have a camber such that a concave surface of the wing faces downward. The wing may substantially resist flexing upwards and may transfer uplift forces to a central body of the micro air vehicle (10). In addition, the wing may be bent severely downwards by applying a force to tips (13) of the wing. The micro air vehicle is capable of being stored in a small cylindrical tube and may be deployed from the tube by simply releasing the micro air vehicle from the tube.
Abstract:
An unmanned flying vehicle comprises an autonomous flying wing having at least two wing portions arranged substantially symmetrically about a center portion. Each wing portion is pivotally attached to each adjoining portion such that the wing portions are foldable for storage and openable for deployment. A preferred form is the so-called seagull wing having four wing portions. The vehicles may be programmable from a mother aircraft whilst being borne to a deployment zone using a data link which may be wireless.
Abstract:
A circular VTOL aircraft with a central vertically mounted turboprop engine (14), driving contra-rotating co-axial propellers (24), above a central jet engine, or engines (12), horizontally mounted on a turntable (11) and steerable through 360 degrees. The turboprop provides vertical thrust from propellers compressing air from an upper circular intake (5) downward through a circular funnel-shaped rotor-chamber (6), to a circular vent (10) at the base of the aircraft. The resulting column of compressed air gives lift for VTOL operations and a cushion of air in flight. The horizontally mounted turbine provides acceleration, retro-thrust and directional control for horizontal flight and vectored thrust for VTOL. An alternative engine configuration (Figure 9), replaces the turboprop and propellers with a vertical turbojet or rocket-engine system providing direct vertical thrust via four control vents (12/14), with an optional horizontal vectored thrust vent (15/37).he aircraft. Fuel-tanks are installed around the central engines. The flight-deck is at the top-centre of the craft above the engines, which are detachable for maintenance.
Abstract:
La présente invention se rapporte; - d'une part, à un drone comprenant un fuselage (1) équipé de moyens de portance (11, 12) apte à permettre une position de vol sur le ventre et une position de vol sur le dos, d'au moins un organe de propulsion (2), d'instruments de navigation autonomes et d'un compartiment axial (10) formant une cavité intégrée dans une partie supérieure du fuselage pour embarquer un parachutiste (h) en position allongée, une avionique pourvue de moyens de pilotage programmables couplés aux instruments de navigation autonomes et des moyens de largage dudit parachutiste commandés par ladite avionique, caractérisé en ce que lesdits moyens de largage sont aptes et destinés à assurer un largage dudit parachutiste en position de vol sur le dos et, - d'autre part, à un équipement d'intervention aéroportée.
Abstract:
A gas turbine engine has an inlet duct, which is configured to communicate with an inlet to a compressor. The inlet duct is further configured to communicate air outwardly of an outer casing of the gas turbine engine, and to pass the air along an axial length of the gas turbine engine to cool a component associated with the gas turbine engine.
Abstract:
A gas turbine engine has an inlet duct, which is configured to communicate with an inlet to a compressor. The inlet duct is further configured to communicate air outwardly of an outer casing of the gas turbine engine, and to pass the air along an axial length of the gas turbine engine to cool a component associated with the gas turbine engine.