Abstract:
The self-sustaining drone aircraft freight and observation system (5) comprises a fleet of jet-powered drone aircraft (10) designed to carry freight (12) only. The drones (10) operate from a separate airfield in outlying areas to decrease land costs and to avoid disturbing residential and business areas. Navigation is automated using guidance from GPS satellites (16), and the aircraft (10) can be assisted by a hydraulic catapult (13) during takeoff to reduce the fuel payload. The observation component (18) includes sensors that can observe weather conditions and emergency signals from boats, ships and other sources. The system (5) may include a large-scale energy production center and multi-acre vegetable, herb and flower production center (26). The energy production center includes solar panels (30), fuel cells (38), and batteries (44). Thus, the system (5) does not need to be connected to the public utility electrical grid.
Abstract:
An improved method of launching and retrieving a UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) (10) is disclosed. The preferred method of launch involves carrying the UAV (10) up to altitude using a parasail (8) similar to that used to carry tourists aloft. The UAV is dropped and picks up enough airspeed in the dive to perform a pull-up into level controlled flight. The preferred method of recovery is for the UAV to fly into and latch onto the parasail tow line (4) or cables hanging off the tow line and then be winched back down to the boat (2).
Abstract:
Un aéronef à décollage et à atterrissage verticaux (10) comprend une aile libre (16) constituée d'ailes situées sur les côtés opposés du fuselage (12) et interconnectées de manière à pouvoir tourner librement sans joints, dont le pas différentiel peut être ajusté par le pilote, par un ordinateur ou par télécommande. Pendant le lancement vertical, les gouvernes de profondeur (26) et de direction (24), ainsi que le réglage du pas différentiel des ailes commandent la profondeur, le lacet et le roulis, respectivement. Pendant le lancement, la gouverne de profondeur (26) incline le nez du fuselage (12) vers le bas afin de modifier le vecteur de poussée et accélérer horizontalement l'aéronef, alors que l'aile libre (16) tourne par rapport au fuselage (12) jusqu'à une position généralement horizontale afin de porter l'aéronef pendant le vol horizontal. La transition du vol horizontal au vol vertical est obtenue par le procédé inverse et l'aéronef peut être doucement récupéré dans ou sur une surface élastique telle qu'un filet (66).
Abstract:
Ensemble comportant un drone (1) et au moins une charge (37) largable embarquée sur le drone, le drone comportant un système de traitement de données embarqué, la charge (37) largable comportant au moins un capteur délivrant une information utile pour connaître sa trajectoire et des actuateurs de commande de gouvernes permettant de l'orienter dans sa chute, étant reliée au drone (1) par une fibre optique (70), la charge et le drone étant agencés pour échanger des informations via la fibre optique durant la chute de la charge, la charge transmettant des données provenant dudit au moins un capteur et le drone transmettant des données de pilotage des actuateurs, établies en tenant compte de celles reçues de la charge, afin de guider la charge vers un objectif prédéfini.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to a system and method for automatic launch and landing UAVs (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles). The system comprises a ground station adapted for automatic UAV launching and landing. The ground station comprises: means for communication with UAVs present within a range from the ground station; an arrangement adapted for launching UAVs and for capturing in-flight UAVs, said arrangement having at least one controllable arm; a computing unit arranged to compute a meeting point between the at least one controllable arm and one in-flight UAV based on data communicated between the UAV and the ground station by means of said means for communication; and a control unit arranged to control the at least one arm to capture an in-flight UAV at the meeting point or to launch one UAV. The system is characterized in that the control unit is arranged to control the at least one arm to move a UAV between the meeting point and at least one storage position.
Abstract:
The self-sustaining drone aircraft freight and observation system (5) comprises a fleet of jet-powered drone aircraft (10) designed to carry freight (12) only. The drones (10) operate from a separate airfield in outlying areas to decrease land costs and to avoid disturbing residential and business areas. Navigation is automated using guidance from GPS satellites (16), and the aircraft (10) can be assisted by a hydraulic catapult (13) during takeoff to reduce the fuel payload. The observation component (18) includes sensors that can observe weather conditions and emergency signals from boats, ships and other sources. The system (5) may include a large-scale energy production center and multi-acre vegetable, herb and flower production center (26). The energy production center includes solar panels (30), fuel cells (38), and batteries (44). Thus, the system (5) does not need to be connected to the public utility electrical grid.
Abstract:
An un-manned airborne vehicle (UAV), for acquiring aeromagnetic data for geophysical surveying at low altitude on land or over water, comprising an extended fuselage that is adapted to hold and maintain magnetometer and a magnetic compensation magnetometer at a minimum distance from the avionics and propulsion systems of the UAV. The magnetometer measures magnetic anomalies and the magnetic compensation magnetometer measures magnetic responses corresponding to the pitch, yaw and roll of the UAV. A data acquisition system stores and removes the magnetic response measurements from the magnetic anomaly measurements. The data acquisition system also stores a survey flight plan and transmits the same to the avionics system. The generator of the UAV is shielded and the propulsion system is stabilized to reduce magnetic and vibrational noises that can interfere with the operation of the magnetometer.
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.