Abstract:
A torque production vehicle (100) includes a plenum body (110) having a wall (112) with a central port (120) and a radial port (130) formed within the wall, an impeller (140) disposed within the plenum body to move air through the central port, an engine (145) coupled to the impeller to rotate the impeller about an axis (Ar), at least one arm (150) coupled to the plenum body, and a plurality of foils (160) disposed in the radial port to direct air about the plenum body to provide a torque force (Ft) about the plenum body.
Abstract:
A torque production vehicle includes a plenum body having a wall with a central port and a radial port formed within the wall, an impeller disposed within the plenum body to move air through the central port, an engine coupled to the impeller to rotate the impeller about an axis, at least one arm coupled to the plenum body, and a plurality of foils disposed in the radial port to direct air about the plenum body to provide a torque force about the plenum body.
Abstract:
The method for launching a drone (10) is carried out by means of a launch catapult (9) which applies the launch energy, such that the launch catapult (9) is first of all aligned, before launch. In this case, the launch catapult (9) is concealed by means of visual protection (4), with the visual protection (4) being at least partially removed only after alignment and immediately before launch.
Abstract:
An aircraft launcher includes a base frame, a first sliding frame that slides with respect to the base frame, a second sliding frame that slides with respect to the first sliding frame, an aircraft support located on the second sliding frame, and a drive apparatus adapted to slide at least one of the first sliding frame and the second sliding frame with respect to the base frame.
Abstract:
Two embodiments of a connector that can be mated without regard for its orientation are disclosed. One embodiment is mated and demated autonomously as part of a system for recovering, docking with, recharging and re-launching unmanned aerial vehicles. Another embodiment is employed on the decks of vessels to facilitate mating and demating of various equipment providing different functions to reconfigure the vessel. Because both embodiments are configured for connection irrespective of angular orientation over 360°, they are especially suited for harsh environments including autonomous operation, rough seas, darkness and the like.
Abstract:
An un-manned airborne vehicle (UAV), for acquiring aeromagnetic data for geophysical surveying at low altitude on land or over water, comprising an extended fuselage that is adapted to hold and maintain magnetometer and a magnetic compensation magnetometer at a minimum distance from the avionics and propulsion systems of the UAV. The magnetometer measures magnetic anomalies and the magnetic compensation magnetometer measures magnetic responses corresponding to the pitch, yaw and roll of the UAV. A data acquisition system stores and removes the magnetic response measurements from the magnetic anomaly measurements. The data acquisition system also stores a survey flight plan and transmits the same to the avionics system. The generator of the UAV is shielded and the propulsion system is stabilized to reduce magnetic and vibrational noises that can interfere with the operation of the magnetometer.
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 a launch carriage that moves along a launch guide. The carriage can accelerate when portions of the carriage and/or the launch guide move relative to each other. A gripper carried by the launch carriage can have at least one grip portion in contact with the aircraft while the launch carriage accelerates along the launch axis. The at least one grip portion can move out of contact with the aircraft as the launch carriage decelerates, releasing the aircraft for takeoff. A brake can arrest the motion of the gripper after launch.
Abstract:
An improved method of launching and retrieving a UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) (10) is disclosed. The preferred method of launch involves carrying the UAV (10) up to altitude using a parasail (8) similar to that used to carry tourists aloft. The UAV is dropped and picks up enough airspeed in the dive to perform a pull-up into level controlled flight. The preferred method of recovery is for the UAV to fly into and latch onto the parasail tow line (4) or cables hanging off the tow line and then be winched back down to the boat (2).
Abstract:
An improved unmanned aerial vehicular system having a rotor head assembly with any balanced number of rotary wings or blades, a generally tubular body assembly, a gimballed neck connecting the head to the body, and a navigation, communications and control unit such as for military and humanitarian operations, including payload delivery and pickup. The vehicle is generally guided using a global positioning satellite signal, and by pre-programmed or real time targeting. The vehicle is generally electrically powered and may be launched by one of (a) hand-launch, (b) air-drop, (c) catapult, (d) tube-launch, or (e) sea launch, and is capable of landing on both static and dynamic targets. Once launched, unmanned aerial vehicles may be formed into arrays on a target area and find use in surveillance, warfare, and in search-and-rescue operations.