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:
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 arranged in a radially symmetrical configuration around a central cavity, e.g., in a diagonal cube configuration. Suspended within the cavity is a thrust generating propeller system that is angled upwardly and that can be regulated remotely so as to change the angle of the thrust vector within the cavity 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:
To improve overall performance and reduce the weight of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) an inflatable structure was invented to directly support systems for propulsion and control system of the UAV. Independent claims have been implemented to obtain a relatively small radar footprint, methods to obtain a reduced visibility, methods to realize a hybrid power supply, methods for transporting the different components of the inflatable UAV.
Abstract:
Described herein is a multi-rotor aircraft (10; 200) including: - a load-bearing structure (10A; 200A); and - a plurality of propulsion assemblies (M1, M2, M3, M4, M5, M6; M1', M2', M3', M4') each including a rotor (R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6; R1', R2', R3', R4'), which can be driven in rotation about a respective axis of rotation (X1, X2, X3, X4, X5, X6; X1', X2', X3', X4'), these propulsion assemblies being coupled to and supported by the load-bearing structure (10A; 200A), wherein the load-bearing structure (10A; 200A) is inflatable (C11, C12, C13, C14, C15, C16; C200).
Abstract:
An aerial surveillance device (100) is provided, comprising an image capturing device (150.) capable of being supported by an airframe structure (200) above the ground. The airframe structure includes a body portion (300) defining a longitudinal axis and configured to support the image - capturing device. A tail portion (400) having control surfaces (425,450) is operably engaged with the body portion along the axis. Transversely- extending wing portions (800, 850) are directly engaged with the body portion. Each wing portion is defined by longitudinally-opposed spars (800A, 800B, 850A, 850B) extending from a spaced-apart disposition at the body portion to a common connection (800C, 850C) distally from the body portion. The spars have a fabric extending therebetween to provide a wing surface. A support member (900, 950) extends along an aerodynamic center, transversely to the body portion, of each wing portion, to tension and rigidify the wing portions so as to provide a positive camber for the wing portions and to form an airfoil.
Abstract:
The invention provides a system, method and landing device for landing an aircraft (50) with respect to a predetermined landing location (P). The aircraft is configured for powered flight at least when the parafoil (60) is deployed, and includes an automatic landing system for controllably executing a landing approach maneuver for the aircraft while in free powered flight with the parafoil deployed to enable the aircraft to be brought into overlying proximity with the landing location. A landing device in the form of an energy absorbing landing net arrangement (20) is provided at the landing location for enabling the aircraft to be landed thereon at least partially vertically when in overlying proximity, and for dampening the landing impact of the aircraft.
Abstract:
An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) having a design for optimum stowability and low cost. The UAV having a collapsible wing section which can be easily removed from the fuselage, allowing for quick assembly and disassembly and ease of portability. The unmanned aerial vehicle includes a primary wing assembly, a fuselage, a means for propelling the unmanned aerial vehicle , and means for remotely controlling the unmanned aerial vehicle. The primary wing assembly includes a wing having a center spar and two outwardly diverging side spars. The wing also has a pliable flexible material supported by the center spar and the at least two outwardly diverging side spars. The pylon is connected to the wing and supports the wing. The fuselage is connected to the pylon such that the pylon extends away from the fuselage and spaces the wing a distance from the fuselage. The fuselage includes a tail having a rudder located along a trailing edge and elevators located along the trailing edge.
Abstract:
A novel design and construction method for an inflatable, rigidizable wing for a terrestrial or planetary flying vehicle. The wing is caused to deploy from an initially packed condition and to assume its functional shape by means of an inflation gas. After inflation, the wing is rigidized by any of several means, such that the inflation gas is no longer required. The composite wing is fabricated from a base reinforcement material, often a fabric, which is coated with a polymer resin that hardens when exposed to a curing mechanism. Several activation mechanisms exist by which to initiate rigidization of such a structure, including elevated temperature, ultraviolet light, and chemical constituents of the inflation gas. The resultant wing has fundamental advantages compared to existing inflatable wings, including improved stiffness, and reduced susceptibility to structural failure in response to puncture.