Abstract:
A site management system includes an unmanned airplane being switchable between an airplane mode for high speed flight and a VTOL mode for low speed flight, a working vehicle working in a civil construction site, a shape detection sensor provided in the unmanned airplane to detect a shape of the civil construction site, and an external control apparatus that controls flight of the unmanned airplane, driving of the working vehicle, and driving of the shape detection sensor. The external control apparatus moves the unmanned airplane to an observation area by performing the high speed flight. Further, the external control apparatus detects a shape of the observation area by driving the shape detection sensor while performing the high speed flight or by driving the shape detection sensor while performing low speed flight by switching from the airplane mode to the VTOL mode.
Abstract:
The disclosed subject matter relates to methods and apparatus facilitating assessments of structural and electronic features, parameters, characteristics or any combination thereof using one or more unmanned autonomous vehicles. In some embodiments, an unmanned vehicle may be configured to monitor one or both of the structural and electrical characteristics of an object, and can also include cooperative behavior between two or more unmanned vehicles to test electrical communication in a directional fashion.
Abstract:
A system and method for management of airspace for unmanned aircraft is disclosed. The system and method comprises administration of the airspace including designation of flyways and zones with reference to features in the region. The system and method comprises administration of aircraft including registration of aircraft and mission. A monitoring system tracks conditions and aircraft traffic in the airspace. Aircraft may be configured to transact with the management system including to obtain rights/priority by license and to operate in the airspace under direction of the system. The system and aircraft may be configured for dynamic transactions (e.g. licensing/routing). The system will set rates for licenses and use/access to the airspace and aircraft will be billed/pay for use/access of the airspace at rates using data from data sources.
Abstract:
Electric aircraft, including in-flight rechargeable electric aircraft, and methods of operating electric aircraft, including methods for recharging electric aircraft in-flight, through the use of unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) packs flying independent of and in proximity to the electric aircraft.
Abstract:
An unmanned aerial vehicle 2 comprising: a fuselage 4; and a wing 6 comprising a central wing section 12 pivotably mounted to the fuselage 4 and a pair of outer wing sections 14a, 14b pivotably mounted to the central wing section 12; wherein the wing 6 has a folded configuration in which the central wing section 12 and the outer wing sections 14a, 14b are stacked on top of one another and are aligned with a longitudinal axis of the fuselage 4; and a deployed configuration in which the central wing section 12 is substantially perpendicular to the fuselage 4 and the outer wing sections 14a, 14b extend from the central wing section 12 away from the fuselage 4.
Abstract:
A manned/unmanned aerial vehicle adapted for vertical takeoff and landing using the same set of engines for takeoff and landing as well as for forward flight. An aerial vehicle which is adapted to takeoff with the wings in a vertical as opposed to horizontal flight attitude which takes off in this vertical attitude and then transitions to a horizontal flight path. An aerial vehicle which controls the attitude of the vehicle during takeoff and landing by alternating the thrust of engines, which are separated in least two dimensions relative to the horizontal during takeoff. An aerial vehicle which uses a rotating platform of engines in fixed relationship to each other and which rotates relative to the wings of the vehicle for takeoff and landing.
Abstract:
Systems and/or methods for forming a multiple-articulated flying system (skybase) having a high aspect ratio wing platform, operable to loiter over an area of interest at a high altitude are provided. In certain exemplary embodiments, autonomous modular flyers join together in a wingtip-to-wingtip manner. Such modular flyers may derive their power from insolation. The autonomous flyers may include sensors which operate individually, or collectively after a skybase is formed. The skybase preferably may be aggregated, disaggregated, and/or re-aggregated as called for by the prevailing conditions. Thus, it may be possible to provide a “forever-on-station” aircraft.
Abstract:
A turret assembly for attachment on the undersurface of an aircraft that reduces performance limitations due to gimbal lock and reduces the cross section profile of the assembly. The assembly includes a roll actuator including a drive shaft. A yoke having a cross member is coupled to the drive shaft and a pair of prongs. The yoke is rotated via the roll actuator and drive shaft along a roll axis oriented substantially parallel to the body of the aircraft. A turret is mounted on the prongs of the yoke. A tilt actuator is contained within the turret. The tilt actuator tilts the turret on a tilt axis relative to the yoke. The tilt axis is perpendicular to the roll axis.
Abstract:
A convertiplane has the ability to take off like a helicopter and then fly horizontally like a conventional aircraft. The aircraft includes a variable incidence front wing of variable span located below the fuselage and mounted on a structure in the form of a venturi tube, a rear wing having two propellers for controlling the stability of the vehicle in pitch and roll installed therein, two counter-rotating, pivotally mounted ducted propellers equipped with four flaps orthogonal to each other provided on the sides of the cockpit, engines placed behind the cockpit close to the center of gravity, a static balancing system for controlling the center of gravity of the aircraft consisting of a weight placed in the lower part of the fuselage, self-propelled on the track rack longitudinally to the fuselage, and a digital flight control system.
Abstract:
An aircraft includes a fuselage, a wing, a ducted fan and a controller. The wing and the ducted fan are coupled to the fuselage. The controller is operable to control the aircraft in a vertical flight mode, a horizontal flight more, and transition the aircraft from the vertical flight mode to the horizontal flight mode.