Abstract:
Methods and apparatuses for launching unmanned aircraft and other flight devices or projectiles are described. In one embodiment, the aircraft (150) can be launched from an apparatus that includes a launch carriage (120) that moves along a launch axis. A gripper (180) carried by the launch carriage can have at least one grip Portion (181) 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 fuselage of the aircraft as the launch carriage (120) decelerates, releasing the aircraft (150) for takeoff.
Abstract:
Disclosed is an aircraft, configured to have a wide range of flight speeds, consuming low levels of power for an extended period of time, while supporting a communications platform with an unobstructed downward-looking view. The aircraft includes an extendable slat at the leading edge of the wing, and a reflexed trailing edge. The aircraft comprises a flying wing extending laterally between two ends and a center point. The wing is swept and has a relatively constant chord. The aircraft also includes a power module configured to provide power via a fuel cell. The fuel cell stores liquid hydrogen as fuel, but uses gaseous hydrogen in the fuel cell. A fuel tank heater is used to control the boil-rate of the fuel in the fuel tank. The fuel cell compresses ambient air for an oxidizer, and operates with the fuel and oxidizer at pressures below one atmosphere. The aircraft of the invention includes a support structure including a plurality of supports, where the supports form a tetrahedron that affixes to the wing.
Abstract:
Fixed wing micro aerial vehicle characterized in that it comprises an allowing platform (1) composed by two low aspect ratio semi-wings (2) with substantially trapezoidal planform, equipped with elevons (4) along their trailing edge and with outboard vertical fins (3) for lateral-directional stability.
Abstract:
The disclosure generally pertains to a vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircraft comprising a fuselage and at least one fixed wing. The aircraft may include at least two powered rotors located generally along a longitudinal axis of the fuselage. The rotor units may be coupled to the fuselage via a rotating chassis, which allows the rotors to provide directed thrust by movement of the rotor units about at least one axis. The VTOL aircraft may include instructions to perform a degraded rotor landing protocol. The degraded rotor landing protocol may include adjusting a power to an operable rotor unit to control a rate of descent and/or slow a rate of acceleration toward a landing surface. The VTOL aircraft may be configured to impact the landing surface from a substantially vertical configuration, and adjust a thrust vector to cause the aircraft to come to rest in a generally upright configuration.
Abstract:
An air vehicle comprising a main body and a pair of opposing wing members extending substantially laterally from the main body, at least a first propulsion device associated with a first of said wing members and a second propulsion device associated with a second of said wing members, each said propulsion device being arranged and configured to generate linear thrust relative to said main body, in use, the air vehicle further comprising a control module for generating a control signal configured to change a mode of flying of said air vehicle, in use, between a fixed wing mode and a rotary wing mode, wherein, in said fixed wing mode of flying, the direction of thrust generated by the first propulsion device relative to the main body is the same as the direction of thrust generated by the second propulsion device, and in said second mode of flying, the direction of thrust generated by the first propulsion device relative to the main body is opposite to that generated by the second propulsion device.
Abstract:
One example embodiment includes a vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). The VTOL UAV includes a flight control system configured to provide avionic control of the VTOL UAV in a hover mode and in a level-flight mode. The VTOL UAV also includes a body encapsulating an engine and the flight control system. The VTOL UAV further includes a propeller disk coupled to the engine and configured to provide vertical thrust in the hover mode and to provide horizontal thrust for flight during the level-flight mode.
Abstract:
An aerial vehicle includes a fuselage, a wing, and a wing shift device. The wing shift device is configured to be coupled to the fuselage. The wing shift device comprises a plurality of apertures for coupling the wing to the aerial vehicle. The plurality of apertures are configured to permit the wing to be shifted in a forward or aft direction along the fuselage based on a center of gravity of the aerial vehicle.
Abstract:
The disclosure generally pertains to a vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircraft comprising a fuselage and at least one fixed wing. The aircraft may include at least two powered rotors located generally along a longitudinal axis of the fuselage. The rotor units may be coupled to the fuselage via a rotating chassis, which allows the rotors to provide directed thrust by movement of the rotor units about at least one axis. The VTOL aircraft may include instructions to perform a degraded rotor landing protocol. The degraded rotor landing protocol may include adjusting a power to an operable rotor unit to control a rate of descent and/or slow a rate of acceleration toward a landing surface. The VTOL aircraft may be configured to impact the landing surface from a substantially vertical configuration, and adjust a thrust vector to cause the aircraft to come to rest in a generally upright configuration.
Abstract:
The tricopter type rotary-wing drone includes three arms connected to a frame. Each of the free ends of the arms support a rotor with an axis perpendicular to the respective free end. The rotor is driven in rotation by a motor connected to power supply. The arms are pivotally mounted on the frame. Two arms automatically drive the rotor supported by their respective free ends into a position in which its axis forms an angle between −30° and +150° with the plane of the frame. The third arm automatically pivots, if necessary, into a position in which its free end is spaced apart from the apex being considered of the triangle by an angle between −60° and +60°.
Abstract:
An aerial vehicle includes a fuselage, a wing, and a wing shift device. The wing shift device is configured to be coupled to the fuselage. The wing shift device comprises a plurality of apertures for coupling the wing to the aerial vehicle. The plurality of apertures are configured to permit the wing to be shifted in a forward or aft direction along the fuselage based on a center of gravity of the aerial vehicle.