Abstract:
The present invention relates to a vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircraft, including a body (120), two or more rotary units (130) coupled to the body, each having both a rotating shaft (131) and a blade (135), and a casing (201) covering both the body and the rotary units and being provided with openings (201a). The casing (201) may be formed into a duct shape with an opening to receive the rotary unit therein, or may be provided with a sidewall (203) to surround the blade. Each opening (201a) may have a protective means (207). The reaction torques of the rotary units can balance each other without requiring a separate balancing device. The casing covers the blades, thus preventing the generation of unbalanced lift on the rotating blades, unlike conventional helicopters, when the VTOL aircraft flies forwards. Furthermore, because the rotary units are prevented from coming into contact with outside articles, the aircraft prevents breakage of the rotary units and damage to outside articles. Due to a structural feature of the casing, the thrust to propel the VTOL aircraft can be increased by about 10 ~ 15%. Furthermore, a rudder (301) is provided in the casing, thus allowing the VTOL aircraft to freely yaw or fly forwards and backwards according to the orientation of the rudder.
Abstract:
The present invention is a rotary device that may be adapted for use as a propeller assembly and electrical generator for aerial vehicles or other vehicles intended for fluid media. In one example, the device includes a ring assembly having a plurality of centrally linked blades coupled to a rotatable common hub. Rotary motion of the ring assembly is facilitated by coupling it to an opposed cylinder, opposed piston, internal combustion. The ring assembly includes components of an electrical power generating system so that electrical power is produced from the rotation of the ring assembly.
Abstract:
A micro air vehicle (10) having a bendable wing (12) enabling the micro air vehicle to fly. The bendable wing (12) may be bent downwards so that the wingspan may be reduced for storing the micro air vehicle. The bendable wing (12) may be formed from one or more layers of material (22), and the wing may have a camber such that a concave surface of the wing faces downward. The wing may substantially resist flexing upwards and may transfer uplift forces to a central body of the micro air vehicle (10). In addition, the wing may be bent severely downwards by applying a force to tips (13) of the wing. The micro air vehicle is capable of being stored in a small cylindrical tube and may be deployed from the tube by simply releasing the micro air vehicle from the tube.
Abstract:
An unmanned flying vehicle comprises an autonomous flying wing having at least two wing portions arranged substantially symmetrically about a center portion. Each wing portion is pivotally attached to each adjoining portion such that the wing portions are foldable for storage and openable for deployment. A preferred form is the so-called seagull wing having four wing portions. The vehicles may be programmable from a mother aircraft whilst being borne to a deployment zone using a data link which may be wireless.
Abstract:
The invention concerns a remote-controlled flying machine, in particular for surveillance and inspection, capable of hovering and comprising a spherical open-worked resistant shroud (40) integral with a cylindrical fairing (16) wherein rotates a propeller (10) powered by an engine (12) housed in a fuselage (18) secured to the fairing (16) with radial arms (28) and straightening vanes (30).
Abstract:
The VTOL aircraft (10) includes a free wing (16) having wings on opposite sides of the fuselage (12) connected to one another for joint free rotation and for differential pitch settings under pilot, computer or remote control. On vertical launch, pitch, yaw and roll control is effected by the elevators (26), rudder (24) and the differential pitch settings of the wings, respectively. At launch, the elevator (26) pitches the fuselage (12) nose downwardly to alter the thrust vector and provide horizontal speed to the aircraft whereby the free wing (16) rotates relative to the fuselage (12) into a generally horizontal orientation to provide lift during horizontal flight. Transition from horizontal to vertical flight is achieved by the reverse process and the aircraft may be gently recovered in or on a resilient surface such as a net (66).