Abstract:
An apparatus (1) for changing a power source of a drone, the apparatus (1) comprises an adaptor (2) for securing a power source (3) to a drone and comprising a first energy connection for supplying energy from the power source (3) and a second energy connection for supplying energy to a drone, wherein one of the first and second energy connections comprises a pair of energy links (20, 21) which are movable between a first position (Figure 5) to facilitate energy supply and secure the power source (3) to the drone and a second position (Figure 4) to interrupt energy supply and enable the power source (3) to be removed from the drone.
Abstract:
A solution to the problem of short battery life of drones and operation in isolated or distant areas of service, by means of docking station/stations that allow for the autonomous landing/takeoff, storage, recharging and/or battery swapping for the drone/drones. The station is multi-cell station for drones with one or more landing/takeoff cells; at least two docking/storage cells; a transitioning closed-loop system configured for transporting the drones within the landing/takeoff cells and docking/storage cells; and control means configured for autonomous control, operation and management of the multi-cell station, where each one of the one or more landing/takeoff cells and at least two docking/storage cells shares at least two sides with neighbouring cells. Recharging mechanism for recharging the stored drones and transitioning mechanism for circulating the drones within the cells of the station are also provided.
Abstract:
A launcher for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV), the launcher having a foldable UAV stowed within said launcher, the launcher includes, a launch tube configured as a UAV launcher and a UAV carrying case. The launcher further includes a pneumatic booster connected to said UAV for accelerating said UAV during launching phase. The launcher further includes a separation mechanism operated to permits separation of the booster from the UAV when the UAV leaves the launcher tube and to transfer the kinetic energy that is created from the pneumatic booster to the UAV in the launching phase. The UAV is propelled off of the launch tube by the booster that transmits thrust in the launch tube to the space below said booster. The UAV which is connected to the booster by the separation mechanism is pushed out of the launcher tube body and leaves the launch tube, the booster is separated from the UAV by the separation mechanism and the UAV is automatically deployed. The UAV propellers are activated to propel the UAV and driven the UAV.
Abstract:
An unmanned aerial vehicle (2) comprising: a fuselage (4); and a wing (6) comprising a central wing section (12) pivotably mounted to the fuselage (4) and a pair of outer wing sections (14a, 14b) pivotably mounted to the central wing section (12); wherein the wing (6) has a folded configuration in which the central wing section (12) and the outer wing sections (14a, 14b) are stacked on top of one another and are aligned with a longitudinal axis of the fuselage (4); and a deployed configuration in which the central wing section (12) is substantially perpendicular to the fuselage (4) and the outer wing sections (14a, 14b) extend from the central wing section (12) away from the fuselage (4).
Abstract:
Drohnen benötigen für die Durchführung von Betriebs- und Flugphasen einen Start- und Landeplatz. Bedingt durch die Leichtbauweise sind Drohnen zudem empfindlich gegen äußere Einflüsse wie z.B. extreme Wetterschwenkungen und Verschmutzungen. Ein Bediener ist für den Betrieb und den Schutz der Drohne erforderlich. Die neuartige Vorrichtung bietet neben einem sicheren Start- und Landeplatz auch Schutz vor äußeren Einflüssen ohne dass ein Bediener anwesend sein muss. Die Vorrichtung verfügt in ihrem Inneren über eine Plattform (Fig.1./Nr.3.), auf der die Drohne (Fig.2./Nr.4.) aufsetzen und parken kann. Zur Freigabe der Plattform öffnet die Vorrichtung die Dachkonstruktion (Fig.l./Nr.l) mit einer 180° Drehung um die Unterschale (Fig.1./Nr.2.). Auf der so freigegebenen Plattform kann die Drohne aufsetzen und bis zum nächsten Start parken. Nach Landung schließt die Vorrichtung die Dachkonstruktion durch eine weitere 180° Drehung der Dachkonstruktion. Die Drohne kann selbsttätig mit der Vorrichtung kommunizieren, um Start- und Landevorgänge durchzuführen. Die Vorrichtung ist vor allem dort von Vorteil, wo Drohnen ohne Anwesenheit eines Bedieners Betriebs- und Flugphasen absolvieren sollen, wie z.B. in abgelegenen oder gefährlichen Gebieten. Zudem besteht der Vorteil, dass Drohnen neue Einsatzgebiete anfliegen können und vor Ort eine geeignete Lande- und Versorgungsmöglichkeit vorfinden.
Abstract:
A system for homing and recharging an unmanned vehicle comprises a plurality of homing layers operative along the radius of an imaginary circle that has the homing target at its center, each homing layer consisting of a sub -system provided with location means of increasing accuracy relative to that of a sub -system that operates along said radius farther away, from the center of said circle.
Abstract:
A transportable ground station for a UAV includes a container in which the UAV may be transported and housed. The container includes a wireless or contact-based recharging station that recharges the UAV's batteries or other power sources after the UAV returns from a mission. The recharging station may be directly or indirectly connected to one or more solar panels that generate energy to power the recharging station. The ground station may be deployed virtually anywhere, from any vehicle (e.g., plane, train, boat, truck, etc.), and may operate over an extended period of time without human intervention.
Abstract:
A rotary wing vehicle includes a body structure having an elongated tubular backbone or core, and a counter-rotating coaxial rotor system having rotors with each rotor having a separate motor to drive the rotors about a common rotor axis of rotation. The rotor system is used to move the rotary wing vehicle in directional flight.
Abstract:
An embodiment of the invention is directed to a system for controlling and managing a small unmanned air vehicle (UAV) between capture and launch of the UAV. The system includes an enclosure that provides environmental protection and isolation for multiple small UAVs in assembled and/or partially disassembled states. Control and management of the UAVs includes reorientation of a captured UAV from a landing platform and secure hand-off to the enclosure, decontamination, de-fueling, ingress to the enclosure, downloading of mission payload, UAV disassembly, stowage, retrieval and reassembly of the UAV, mission uploading, egress of the UAV from the enclosure, fueling, engine testing and launch readiness. An exemplary system includes two or more robots controlled by a multiple robot controller for autonomously carrying out the functions described above. A modular, compact, portable and autonomous system of UAV control and management is described.