Abstract:
Ein unbemanntes Höhenluftfahrzeug, insbesondere Stratosphären-Luftfahrzeug, mit zumindest einem Rumpf (10), Tragflügeln (13, 14), Steuerflächen (13", 14", 20', 20", 21 ', 21") und zumindest einer Antriebseinrichtung (15, 16, 17), die zumindest eine Antriebsmaschine und zumindest einen Propeller (15', 16', 17') aufweist, zeichnet sich dadurch aus, dass der jeweilige Tragflügel (13, 14) eine Mehrzahl von sich in einer Richtung quer, vorzugsweise rechtwinklig, zur Rumpflängsachse (Z) erstreckenden Flügelholmen (46', 46") und Schläuchen (40, 41, 42, 43, 44) aufweist, die von einer eine Flügelbespannung (45) bildenden Haut umgeben sind, welche die Querschnittskontur des Tragflügels bestimmt, wobei die Querschnittskontur ein Laminarprofil bildet, das bei geringem Strömungswiderstand einen hohen Auftrieb erzeugt; dass der jeweilige Tragflügel (13, 14) an seinem vom Rumpf (10) abgewandten freien Ende mit einem sich quer zur Tragflügellängsachse erstreckenden Winglet (13', 14') versehen ist und dass das Winglet (13', 14') mit einer bewegbaren Steuerfläche (13", 14") versehen ist, die die Erzeugung einer aerodynamischen Seitenkraft ermöglicht, um das Luftfahrzeug in eine Schrägrolllage zu bringen.
Abstract:
An unmanned high altitude aircraft, in particular a stratosphere aircraft, comprising at least one fuselage (10), wings (13, 14), control surfaces (13", 14", 20', 20", 21', 21") and at least one drive device (15, 16, 17) that has at least one drive machine and at least one propeller (15', 16' 17'), is characterised in that each wing (13, 14) has a plurality of tubes (40, 41, 42, 43, 44) and wing spars (46' 46") that extend in one direction transversally, preferably perpendicularly, to the longitudinal axis of the fuselage (Z) and are surrounded by a skin that forms a wing covering (45) and defines the cross-sectional contour of the wing, the cross-sectional contour forming a laminar profile that generates high lift when there is low flow resistance. Each wing (13, 14) is provided with a winglet (13', 14') that extends transversally to the longitudinal axis of the wing on its free end which faces away from the fuselage (10), and the winglet (13' 14') is provided with a movable control surface (13", 14") that enables an aerodynamic side force to be generated in order to bring the aircraft into an oblique bank position.
Abstract:
The invention relates to an automatic takeoff method for an aircraft with a flexible airfoil, comprising a carriage suspended by rigging lines from an airfoil. According to said method: - said carriage is provided with an autopilot controlling actuators that control said rigging lines; - said airfoil is provided with an airfoil attitude sensor, comprising a biaxial accelerometer and a biaxial rate gyro, capable of defining the position of an airfoil reference frame in relation to the ground, and means for communicating with said autopilot; - during takeoff, information is received from said airfoil attitude sensor and transmitted to said autopilot for the purpose of controlling said actuators. The invention also relates to an airfoil for the implementation of said method, comprising an airfoil attitude sensor with an inertial unit with a biaxial accelerometer and a biaxial rate gyro, and means for communicating with an autopilot. The invention further relates to an aircraft comprising such an airfoil.
Abstract:
An aircraft which is designed for remote controlled slow flight, indoor or in a small outdoor yard or field. The aerial lifting body is defined by a series of lightweight planar or thin airfoil surfaces (A1, A2, A3, A4) arranged in a radially symmetrical configuration. Suspended within the cavity (O) formed by the thin airfoil surfaces (A1, A2, A3, A4) is a thrust generating propeller system (C) that is angled upwardly and that can be regulated remotely so as to change the angle of the thrust vector within the cavity (O) for steering. Lifting, stability, turning, and general control of the direction of motion in flight is accomplished without any formal wings, rudder, tail, or control surfaces.
Abstract:
A method and apparatus for operating an airfoil system. A gas may be generated. The gas may be sent into an inflatable airfoil system comprising an inflatable air foil and a section. The inflatable airfoil may have an inner end and an outer end in which the inflatable airfoil may be comprised of a number of materials that substantially pass electromagnetic waves through the inflatable airfoil. The section may have a number of openings in which the inner end of the inflatable airfoil may be associated with the section. The section may be configured to be associated with a fuselage. The number of openings may be configured to provide communications with an interior of the inflatable airfoil. The section with the number of openings may be configured to reduce reflection of the electromagnetic waves encountering the section.
Abstract:
An apparatus may comprise an inflatable control surface for an aircraft and an end of the inflatable control surface configured for attachment to a fuselage of the aircraft. The end of the inflatable control surface may be configured to be rotated about an axis to control movement of the aircraft during flight.
Abstract:
The invention relates to an automatic takeoff method for an aircraft with a flexible airfoil, comprising a carriage suspended by rigging lines from an airfoil. According to said method:—said carriage is provided with an autopilot controlling actuators that control said rigging lines;—said airfoil is provided with an airfoil attitude sensor, comprising a biaxial accelerometer and a biaxial rate gyro, capable of defining the position of an airfoil reference frame in relation to the ground, and means for communicating with said autopilot;—during takeoff, information is received from said airfoil attitude sensor and transmitted to said autopilot for the purpose of controlling said actuators. The invention also relates to an airfoil for the implementation of said method, comprising an airfoil attitude sensor with an inertial unit with a biaxial accelerometer and a biaxial rate gyro, and means for communicating with an autopilot. The invention further relates to an aircraft comprising such an airfoil.
Abstract:
A vehicle including at least one bladder for containing a fuel as liquid and gas at a predetermined pressure, with a bladder outlet arranged to releasing fuel from the bladder and to maintain the fuel in the bladder at the predetermined pressure, the fuel provides thrust to the vehicle upon combustion, the fuel-filled bladder providing initial structural integrity of the vehicle. In an exemplary embodiment, the vehicle is an unmanned anal vehicle. A combustion chamber and thermoelectric conversion module can generate electricity for a propellor and battery from the fuel supply. Internal vapor pressure is maintained until the fuel bladder is empty.
Abstract:
An orientation system is disclosed for a lighter-than-air aircraft having a lower stage suspended from an envelope. The orientation system includes cords interconnecting the envelope and the lower stage and means for adjusting the length of at least one of the cords between the lower stage and the envelope. Adjusting the length produces a shift in the angle of attack of the envelope with respect to the lower stage.