Abstract:
An apparatus for converting a manned aircraft of a type including at least one pilot control capable of manipulation to affect operation of the aircraft for unmanned flight operations includes first and second actuators, each configured to selectively provide movement or resistance to movement in a first manner including linear or rotational motion, first and second clutches, each configured to selectively couple movement of the associated actuator to the pilot control, and a vehicle controller capable of being selectively enabled to operate the pilot control actuators and clutches and thereby provide unmanned operation of the aircraft, or of being disabled, thereby providing for manned operation of the aircraft. The first actuator has a first scope describing a first amount of allowable movement, while the second actuator has a second scope larger than the first scope.
Abstract:
A miniature aircraft 1 has a center axle 22, two rotors 3 and 5 provided substantially axially to the center axle 22 and capable of rotating in opposite directions, rotary wings 34 and 54 provided to the rotors 3 and 5, vibrating members 4 for rotating the rotary wings 34 and 54 via the rotors 3 and 5, and cables 471 and 472 connected to the vibrating members 4. A hollow part 221 is formed in the center axle 22 along the longitudinal direction thereof, and the cables 471 and 472 are easily positioned in the hollow part 221.
Abstract:
A disclosed flying craft includes a suspension structure having a first end and a second end, a lift unit, and a payload unit. The lift unit includes a nacelle and a tailboom, and pivotally couples to the first end of the suspension structure, and a payload unit couples to the structure's second end. Thus the tailboom can pivotally couple with respect to the payload unit, which advantageously permits the tailboom to assume an orientation desirable for a particular mode of flight. During vertical flight or hover, the tailboom can hang from the lift unit in an orientation that is substantially parallel to the suspension structure and that minimizes resistance to downwash from the lift unit. During horizontal flight, the tailboom can be orthogonal to the suspension structure, extending rearward in an orientation where it can develop pitching and yawing moments to control and stabilize horizontal flight. Advantageous variations and methods are also disclosed.
Abstract:
An unmanned helicopter 20 includes altitude control device for giving a command of a collective pitch rudder angle based on an altitude change rate command, etc., and performing altitude control of an airframe and takeoff device, upon reception of a takeoff start command from the ground, for causing the airframe to take off and climbing the airframe to a first altitude while increasing the collective pitch rudder angle without performing the altitude control of the altitude control device and then causing the altitude control device to start the altitude control. The unmanned helicopter further includes descending device for causing the airframe to descend to a second altitude while changing descent rate command of the altitude control device and giving a descent rate command smaller than the descent rate command to the second altitude to the altitude control device for causing the airframe to descend from the second altitude to the ground.
Abstract:
An imaging device that automatically rotates upon descent through an atmosphere provides an onboard image detector a sweeping panoramic scan as it descends. No moving parts or propulsion system are required. The location, angle and pitch of the winged structure, together with its inertia properties, passively induces rotation. The angled location of the image detector takes advantage of the resulting rotation. Data generated by the image detector may be transmitted to a remote receiver or, alternatively, stored for subsequent recovery.
Abstract:
A remote-controlled autogyro visually and functionally simulates a helicopter with stub wings (e.g. the Hind D), so that an expendable helicopter-simulating target is produced. The target has a fixed angle rotor shaft, the rotor being solely aerodynamically controlled. The rotor blades have a negative pitch angle, and a positive conning angle. The engine is mounted at the front of the fuselage and has a downthrust angle, and the horizontal stabilizer also slopes downwardly aft. The rotor is at about the center of lift (horizontally) of the wings, and the wing span is about 50-60 percent the length of the fuselage. The ailerons and tail rudder are electrically interconnected. Remote control is provided for the elevators ailerons, and engine speed.
Abstract:
An aircraft includes an airframe having a fixed-wing section and a plurality of articulated electric rotors, at least some of which are variable-position rotors having different operating configurations based on rotor position. A first operating configuration is a vertical-flight configuration in which the rotors generate primarily vertical thrust for vertical flight, and a second operating configuration is a horizontal-flight configuration in which the rotors generate primarily horizontal thrust for horizontal fixed-wing flight. Control circuitry independently controls rotor thrust and rotor orientation of the variable-position rotors to provide thrust-vectoring maneuvering. The fixed-wing section may employ removable wing panels so the aircraft can be deployed both in fixed-wing and rotorcraft configurations for different missions.