Method and device for launching aerial vehicles
    271.
    发明授权
    Method and device for launching aerial vehicles 有权
    发射飞行器的方法和装置

    公开(公告)号:US07530527B2

    公开(公告)日:2009-05-12

    申请号:US10558312

    申请日:2004-05-20

    Abstract: A heavier-than-air air vehicle, particularly a long endurance, solar powered, unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) intended for “perpetual” flight within the stratosphere, is carried to its operational altitude suspended on a tether from a helium balloon. The tether is attached at or towards a tip of the UAV's wing so that it is carried in effectively a 90° banked attitude. At the desired altitude the UAV's powerplant is started and it flies on its tether in an upwardly-spiralling path relative to the balloon until a level or near level attitude is attained, when the tether is released and the UAV is permitted to assume free flight.

    Abstract translation: 一架重型空中飞行器,特别是用于在平流层内“永久”飞行的长寿命的太阳能无人驾驶飞行器(UAV)被运载到悬挂在氦球系绳上的作战高度。 系绳连接在无人机翼的顶端或朝向无人机翼的尖端,以便有效地承载90度的坦克姿态。 在所需的高度,UAV的动力装置启动,并且相对于气球以相对于气囊的向上螺旋方式飞行,直到达到水平或接近水平的姿态时,系绳被释放并且UAV被允许进行自由飞行。

    Aerial robot
    272.
    发明授权
    Aerial robot 有权
    空中机器人

    公开(公告)号:US07510142B2

    公开(公告)日:2009-03-31

    申请号:US11361122

    申请日:2006-02-24

    Abstract: An aerial robot is disclosed. The aerial robot may include at least one pair of counter-rotating blades or propellers, which may be contained within a circumferential shroud or a duct. In one embodiment, the aerial robot may have the ability to hover and move indefinitely. Electric power to the robot may be provided by a tether or an on-board power supply. In tethered embodiments, a solid-state, electronic voltage transformer may be used to reduce a high voltage, low current source to lower voltage, higher current source. In one embodiment, secure data communication between a ground unit and the aerial robot is facilitated by impressing high bandwidth serial data onto the high voltage tether wires or a thin optical fiber which is co-aligned with the tether wires. In one embodiment, precise navigational and position controls, even under extreme wind loads, are facilitated by an on-board GPS unit and optical digital signal processors. In one embodiment, if the tether detaches, precision free-flight is possible with on-board batteries.

    Abstract translation: 公开了一种空中机器人。 空中机器人可以包括至少一对反向旋转叶片或螺旋桨,其可以包含在周向护罩或管道内。 在一个实施例中,空中机器人可能具有无限期地悬停和移动的能力。 机器人的电力可以由系绳或车载电源提供。 在连接的实施例中,可以使用固态电子电压互感器来将高电压,低电流源降低到更低的电压,更高的电流源。 在一个实施例中,通过将高带宽串行数据压印到高压系绳线上或与系绳相配合的薄光纤来实现地面单元与空中机器人之间的安全数据通信。 在一个实施例中,甚至在极端风力负载下的精确导航和位置控制也由车载GPS单元和光学数字信号处理器促成。 在一个实施例中,如果系绳分离,则使用车载电池可以进行精确的自由飞行。

    Unmanned aerial vehicle catcher
    273.
    发明授权
    Unmanned aerial vehicle catcher 失效
    无人机捕手

    公开(公告)号:US07264204B1

    公开(公告)日:2007-09-04

    申请号:US11311582

    申请日:2005-12-12

    Inventor: Helmut Portmann

    Abstract: Launch and recovery of an aerial vehicle by a forwardly moving surface vehicle relies on a winch module having a winch to selectively reel out and reel in a towline and a sensor capable of sensing tension in the towline. A lifting body assembly having a pair of lifting bodies and a snagging wire is connected to the towline. The lifting bodies lift and laterally extend the snagging wire between the lifting bodies. An aerial vehicle flying through the air engages the snagging wire by a hook. A first signal representative of tension of the towline causes the winch to reel in the towline and to bring the aerial vehicle to the surface vehicle, and a second sensor associated with the hook generates a second signal representative of tension in the hook and causes the aerial vehicle to cut its motor.

    Abstract translation: 通过前方移动的地面车辆发射和恢复航空器依赖于具有绞盘的绞盘模块,以选择性地卷起并卷绕在拖链中,并且能够感测到能够感测到拖链中的张力的传感器。 具有一对提升体和阻塞线的提升体组件连接到该拖绳。 升降体提升并横向延伸提升体之间的阻塞线。 空中飞行的空中飞行器通过一个钩子与阻塞线接合。 代表牵引线张力的第一信号使绞盘卷入拖缆并将空中飞行器带到地面车辆,并且与挂钩相关联的第二传感器产生代表钩中的张力的第二信号,并使天线 车辆切断电机。

    Virtual sensor mast
    274.
    发明授权
    Virtual sensor mast 有权
    虚拟传感器桅杆

    公开(公告)号:US07149611B2

    公开(公告)日:2006-12-12

    申请号:US10639267

    申请日:2003-08-12

    Abstract: A virtual sensor mast for a ground vehicle and a method for operating a ground vehicle using a virtual sensor mast are disclosed. The virtual sensor mast includes an unmanned airborne vehicle capable of lifting itself from the ground vehicle upon deployment therefrom; a sensor suite mounted to the unmanned airborne vehicle; and a tether between the unmanned airborne vehicle and the ground vehicle over which the sensor suite is capable of communicating sensed data upon deployment. The method includes elevating a tethered unmanned airborne vehicle from the ground vehicle to a predetermined height; sensing environmental conditions surrounding the ground vehicle; and terminating the deployment.

    Abstract translation: 公开了一种用于地面车辆的虚拟传感器桅杆和使用虚拟传感器桅杆操作地面车辆的方法。 虚拟传感器桅杆包括能够在其从其展开时从地面车辆提升自身的无人机载机; 安装在无人机载体上的传感器套件; 以及在无人驾驶的机载车辆和地面车辆之间的系绳,传感器套件能够在部署时传送感测数据。 该方法包括:将有系带的无人机载体从地面车辆升高到预定的高度; 感测地面车辆周围的环境条件; 并终止部署。

    Motion assisting apparatus
    276.
    发明申请
    Motion assisting apparatus 失效
    运动辅助装置

    公开(公告)号:US20040195436A1

    公开(公告)日:2004-10-07

    申请号:US10481944

    申请日:2003-12-23

    Abstract: A drive assembly for use with a mechanical flying or walking device comprises an articulated member (7) having first and second portions (7a, 7b) arranged such that the portions move relative to each other, and a drive mechanism (9) for imparting motion to the articulated member. The drive mechanism (9) comprises: a drive member for imparting a cyclic motion on the articulated member, and a control member for controlling, in a predetermined manner, the relative position of the first and second portions during each cycle of the cyclic motion of the articulated member. In the case of a mechanical flying device, two such drive assemblies may be provided, the articulated member of each assembly forming a wing.

    Abstract translation: 一种与机械飞行或行走装置一起使用的驱动组件包括具有第一和第二部分(7a,7b)的铰接构件(7),所述第一和第二部分(7a,7b)布置成使得所述部分相对于彼此移动;以及驱动机构(9) 到铰接构件。 驱动机构(9)包括:驱动构件,用于在铰接构件上施加循环运动;以及控制构件,用于以预定方式控制第一和第二部分在循环运动的每个循环期间的相对位置 铰接构件。 在机械飞行装置的情况下,可以设置两个这样的驱动组件,每个组件的铰接构件形成翼。

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