Abstract:
A wing and propeller design may reduce the power required to propel an aircraft (400) in flight. This may be achieved by reducing downwash and trailing vortices that occur naturally on the aircraft's wings. A reduction in downwash and trailing vortices may in turn reduce the overall drag on the aircraft. In one embodiment, an aircraft includes a number of propellers (410, 420, ..., 450, 460) N prop , wherein each propeller comprises a diameter d prop , has a propeller efficiency η prop , and is configured to absorb power p prop to rotate at a rate RPM to generate thrust for a flight speed V of the aircraft. The aircraft may further include a total power p total absorbed by the propellers that is approximately p prop × N prop , a wing having a circulation distribution, wherein the wing comprises a wingspan B, a drag D that is approximately equal to p total × η prop / V. For V and B , the circulation distribution, d prop , and RPM substantially minimizes D.
Abstract:
An aircraft, in particular an unmanned aerial vehicle with wing-borne flight mode and hover flight mode, comprises a wing structure (4) having a left (6), middle (7), and right wing section (8). A support structure extends from the wing structure (4), and has an upper and lower support section. Each one of the left and right wing section (6, 8), and upper and lower support section (18, 20) has a thrust unit (10, 12, 22, 24). Left and right wingtip sections are rotatable relative to a left and right wing base section, respectively, around an axis extending substantially in a lengthwise direction of the wing structure. The thrust units (10,12) of the left and right wing sections(6, 8) are provided at the respective wingtip sections, in particular at the extremities thereof.
Abstract:
Le module intègre dans un même boitier monobloc (48) un circuit électronique (100) et une pluralité de capteurs d'attitude, d'altitude, de vitesse, d'orientation et/ou de position du drone (104-116). Il intègre également un circuit électronique de puissance (200) recevant des consignes de commande élaborées par le processeur du circuit électronique en fonction des données délivrées par les capteurs intégrés, et délivrant en sortie des signaux correspondants pour l'alimentation directe en courant ou en tension des moyens propulseurs du drone et des gouvernes.
Abstract:
An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) capable of vertical and horizontal flight modes, a method for assembling a UAV, and a kit of parts for assembling a UAV. The UAV comprises a wing structure comprising elongated equal first and second wings; a support structure comprising first and second sections coupled to a middle position of the wing structure and extending in opposite directions perpendicular to the wing structure; and four propellers, each mounted to a respective one of the first and second wings, and first and second sections, for powering the UAV during both vertical and horizontal flight modes.
Abstract:
An aircraft, in particular an unmanned aerial vehicle with wing-borne flight mode and hover flight mode, comprises a wing structure (4) having a left (6), middle (7), and right wing section (8). A support structure extends from the wing structure (4), and has an upper and lower support section. Each one of the left and right wing section (6, 8), and upper and lower support section (18, 20) has a thrust unit (10, 12, 22, 24). Left and right wingtip sections are rotatable relative to a left and right wing base section, respectively, around an axis extending substantially in a lengthwise direction of the wing structure. The thrust units (10,12) of the left and right wing sections(6, 8) are provided at the respective wingtip sections, in particular at the extremities thereof.
Abstract:
A sensor/emitter arrangement (M1-M3) is integrated into the fuselage (120) structure of a specially designed air vehicle (100), in which the air vehicle is configured for optimizing operation of the sensor/emitter arrangement (M1-M3) with respect to at least azimuthal lines of sight radiating along a azimuthal reference plane of the air vehicle (100). The azimuthal reference plane intersects the air vehicle fuselage (120). In at least some embodiments, the fuselage (120) is formed with a plurality of oblate cross-sections that facilitate maximizing the room available for a sensor/emitter array (172, 174, 176) that is elongated along an elongate axis that may be aligned with the azimuthal reference plane. In at least some embodiments one or more such elongate axes may be inclines to the longitudinal (roll) axis and the pitch axis of the air vehicle (100). In at least some embodiments, the air vehicle may have a blunt aft end incorporating an elongate aft-facing sensor/emitter array (172, 174, 176).
Abstract:
A wing for an unmanned aircraft (400) adapted for image acquisition, surveillance or other applications consists of a ribbed frame (100) and a foam (200) wherein the ribbed frame (100) is integrated. The foam (200) has a container (301, 02, 303) for holding the electric and/or electronic components. The foam (200) constitutes the outer layer of the unmanned aircraft (400) at impact side (204, 205, 206). The wing can be produced at low cost and low complexity in large volumes, increases the impact resistance and safety when used in civil areas, and is removable and disposable thereby enabling reuse of the electric and/or electronic components.
Abstract:
An airborne vehicle having a wing-body which defines a wing-body axis and appears substantially annular when viewed along the wing-body axis, the interior of the annulus defining a duct which is open at both ends. The wing-body carries at least one rudder (80-85) on its left side and at least one rudder on its right side. A propulsion system is provided comprising one or more pairs of propulsion devices (70,71), each pair comprising a first propulsion device (70) mounted to the wing-body and positioned on a first side of a plane including the wing-body axis, and a second propulsion device (71) mounted to the wing-body and positioned on a second side of the plane including the wing-body axis.