Abstract:
This disclosure describes a configuration of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) landing gear assembly that includes adjustable landing gear extensions (251) that may be extended or contracted so that the body of the UAV is contained in a horizontal plane when the UAV is landed, even on sloping surfaces. For example, when a UAV is landing, the slope of the surface may be determined and the landing gear extensions (251) adjusted based on the slope so that the body of the UAV remains approximately horizontal when the UAV lands and is supported by the landing gear extensions.
Abstract:
Various embodiments provide a method for landing an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) (2) in the presence of a wind. The method comprises: performing a first flare- maneuver whilst the UAV is flying. The flare-maneuver causes a front portion of the UAV to rise with respect to a rear portion of the UAV (202). The method also comprises steering the UAV along a path heading into a direction of the wind (204). The method further comprises performing a second flare- maneuver before the UAV impacts a landing surface to land (206). Various embodiments provide a corresponding UAV.
Abstract:
A system for controlling flight of an aircraft has sensors (37, 43), a receiver (45), and a digital control system (57), all of which are carried aboard the aircraft. The sensors (37, 43) determine the position of the aircraft relative to the earth and the inertial movement of the aircraft. The receiver (45) receives transmitted data (51, 55) communicating the position and movement of a reference vehicle relative to the earth. The control system (57) calculates the position and velocity of the aircraft relative to the reference vehicle using the data from the sensors (37, 43) and the receiver (45) and then commands flight control devices (33) on the aircraft for maneuvering the aircraft in a manner that maintains a selected position and/or velocity relative to the reference vehicle. The system allows use of a graphical or tactile user interfaces.
Abstract:
The invention concerns a small-size radio-controlled flying device propelled by a heat engine (20) with pusher propeller (10) for remote sensing, said device enabling short take-off and landing and a maximum flying speed of 34 Km/h. The device comprises a nacelle and a wing system, the nacelle (1) being a rigid three-wheeled carriage capable of being disassembled by denesting a more or less pyramidal jig with rear base (2) and front top (7), a lower plane (3) two lateral planes (4, 5) and an upper plane (6), the base being a single-piece welded element and comprising the engine, the propeller, a tank and the remote sensing unit, the top being a single-piece welded element, the lower plane and the two lateral planes comprising side members (11, 12) at least assembled at the base and at the top, the lower plane comprising at its three end angles two rear wheels (8) and a front wheel (9), the front wheel being arranged overlapping forward in the top and the wheels being low pressure tyres, the wing system (13) being a wing box flexible parafoil, said wing system being linked to the nacelle adjustable by two front suspension cables (17), two braking suspension cables (18) acting on the two flaps/wings.
Abstract:
This invention relates to a connection set that is used to attach and transfer force and torque between a wing (2a, 2b), comprising a lifting surface and a control surface (9) connected together by a hinge, and the central body (1) of an aircraft, which contains a servo-motor (10) used for actuating said control surface (9). The wing (2a, 2b) is connected to the central body (1) using a connection set comprised of two components. First, an attachment mechanism (3, 4, 5, 6) is used to align the wings (2a, 2b) relative to the central body (1) and to transfer the aerodynamic forces acting on the wing (2a, 2b) to the central body (1), preventing the wing (2a, 2b) from bending at its connection point. Second, a torque coupling mechanism (7, 8) is used to actuate the control surfaces that are present on the wings using servomotors (10) that are embedded within the central body (1). The connection set is engaged and disengaged using a single motion and does not require additional connection of electrical cables or mechanical fixations.
Abstract:
The present invention provides a ground-based camera surveying and guiding method for aircraft landing and unmanned aerial vehicle recovery based on the camera surveying technology, which is a ground-based camera surveying and guiding system mainly including several video cameras arranged near the landing areas of an aircraft or an unmanned aerial vehicle. During the approaching process of the aircraft or the unmanned aerial vehicle, the system performs imaging of the aircraft in real time and detects movement parameters such as the track, velocity, acceleration, attitude and the offset relative to the glide slope of the aircraft or the unmanned aerial vehicle in real time by analyzing images and applying camera surveying method and technology, so as to provide guidance for aircraft landing or unmanned aerial vehicle recovery. The method is an autonomic guiding survey without interferences from others, which has high accuracy and reliability. The hardware devices are mature, simple and have low cost. The devices are moveable and versatile, and can be used in aircraft landing aid, unmanned aerial vehicle recovery and the like.
Abstract:
A method for landing a fixed wing aircraft is provided in which an inversion maneuver is performed so that the aircraft's back is facing the ground, and the aircraft's underside is facing away from the ground. After initiation or completion of this maneuver, deep stall is induced, and the aircraft descends almost vertically to land on its upper side, thus minimizing impact loads or damage on its underside. In a particular aerodynamic arrangement configured for carrying out the method, a flap (24), which may be stowed during normal flight, is deployed in a manner such as to aerodynamically induce a negative pitching moment on the aircraft and deep stall.