Patent classifications
G05D1/0858
System and method for initiating a command of an electric vertical take-off and landing (EVTOL) aircraft
A system for initiating a command of an electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft includes a flight controller configured to receive a topographical datum, identify an air position as a function of a sensor and the topographical datum, wherein identifying further comprises obtaining a sensor datum as a function of the sensor, and identifying the air position as a function of the sensor datum and the topographical datum using a similarity function, determine a command as a function of the air position, and initiate the command.
Systems and methods for controlling an electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft
Disclosed are systems and methods for controlling an electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft. In one embodiment, a system comprises a processor, a first inceptor, communicatively coupled to the processor, the first inceptor configured to accept longitudinal and lateral linear movements as manual input and provide corresponding signals to the processor, and a second inceptor, communicatively coupled to the processor, the second inceptor configured to accept longitudinal and lateral linear movements as manual input and provide corresponding signals to the processor, wherein the processor is configured to control a heading of an aircraft using a signal received from the second inceptor corresponding to lateral linear movement of the second inceptor. Some embodiments may additionally include at least one sensor and a thumb stick for each inceptor.
Aerial vehicles and control therefor
A method for turning an aerial vehicle such as a drone-type vehicle is provided, according to one embodiment. The method provides for receiving a turning input and detecting a current momentum of the aerial vehicle. The method provides for converting the turning input into a yaw command and calculating a change in yaw associated with the turning input. The method provides for calculating a roll command based on the current momentum of the aerial vehicle and based on the change in yaw associated with the turning input. Further, the method provides for executing the yaw command and the roll command in synchrony, wherein the executing the yaw command and the roll command in synchrony causes the aerial vehicle to perform a turn.
Method for hovering an aircraft with respect to an axis with a controllable pitch angle
A method for hovering an aircraft having at least one wing and at least one rotary wing and at least one propeller, the aircraft comprising an autopilot system. The method comprises keeping the aircraft hovering, with the autopilot system, in the setpoint position, keeping the aircraft hovering in this way comprising controlling, with the autopilot system, a pitch of blades of the at least one propeller irrespective of the setpoint pitch angle and controlling, with the autopilot system, a pitch of blades of the at least one rotary wing as a function at least of the setpoint pitch angle.
Apparatus for guiding a transition between flight modes of an electric aircraft
An apparatus for guiding a transition between flight modes of an electric aircraft is illustrated. The apparatus comprises at least a sensor configured to detect a movement datum of the electric aircraft and a flight controller communicatively connected to the at least sensor, wherein the flight controller is configured to receive the movement datum from the at least a sensor, determine a current flight mode of the electric aircraft as a function of a pilot input and the movement datum, generate a guidance datum as a function of a change in flight mode and the movement datum, and communicate the guidance datum to a pilot indicator in communication with the at least a sensor and flight controller communicatively connected to the at least a sensor.
Multi-rotor aircraft and method of controlling same
A method of controlling a multi-rotor aircraft (1) including at least five, preferably at least six, lifting rotors (2; R1-R6), each having a first rotation axis which is essentially parallel to a yaw axis (z) of the aircraft (1), and at least one forward propulsion device (3), preferably two forward propulsion devices (P1, P2), the at least one forward propulsion device having at least two rotors (P1_R1, P1_R2, P2_R1, P2_R2) that are arranged coaxially with a second rotation axis which is essentially parallel to a roll axis (x) of the aircraft. The at least one or each of the forward propulsion devices (3, P1, P2) being arranged at a respective distance (+y, −y) from said roll axis (x). The method further includes: using at least one of the rotors of the at least one forward propulsion device to control the aircraft's moment about the yaw and/or roll axes independently from each other.
SYSTEM FOR FIXED-PITCH LIFT CONFIGURED FOR USE IN AN ELECTRIC AIRCRAFT
In an aspect, a system for fixed-pitch lift configured for use in an electric aircraft includes a plurality of flight components mechanically coupled thereto, each configured to provide lift to the electric aircraft. The electric aircraft also includes a first pusher mechanically coupled to a first owing of the electric aircraft, wherein the first pusher is configured to provide forward flight to the electric aircraft, a second pusher mechanically coupled to a second wing of the electric aircraft, wherein the second pusher is configured to provide forward flight to the electric aircraft as well, a sensor that is configured to detect vertical lift and forward flight from a pilot control and generate a command datum, as a function of the pilot control, a flight controller which may include a computing device configured to receive the command datum and direct the electric aircraft, as a function of the command datum.
Monolithic attitude control motor frame and system
A monolithic attitude control motor frame includes a monolithic structure including an outer surface of revolution and a plurality of side walls defining a plurality of cavities extending radially from the outer surface of revolution. Adjacent cavities of the plurality of cavities share a side wall or side wall portion therebetween. Each of the cavities is configured to receive an attitude control motor. A monolithic attitude control motor system includes a monolithic frame including an outer surface of revolution and a plurality of side walls defining a plurality of cavities extending radially from the outer surface of revolution. The system further includes a plurality of attitude control motors corresponding to the plurality of cavities, such that an attitude control motor of the plurality of attitude control motors is disposed in each cavity of the plurality of cavities.
LOOSELY COUPLED DISTRIBUTED CONTROL OVER DRONE AND PAYLOADS CARRIED BY THE DRONE
A system and method for distributing control over a drone and an active-payload carried by the drone to loosely coupled drone controller and payload controller, are disclosed. The active-payload includes a self-embedded payload controller and at least one controllable thrust source or moving weight. The drone controller identifies a current active-payload type that is coupled to the drone for performing one or more tasks and selects a control-type, which defines degrees of freedom (DOFs) to be controlled by the drone controller and released DOFs to be controlled by the payload controller, accordingly. The drone and active-payload perform the one or more task, wherein the drone controller controls maneuver instructions in drone controller controlled DOFs and simultaneously and asynchronously the payload controller controls maneuver instructions in the released DOFs by exerting controllable force or torque in the released DOFs by the at least one thrust source and/or moving weight.
MULTIVARIABLE AIRSPEED AND FLIGHT PATH ANGLE CONTROL OF A CO-AXIAL ROTARY WING AIRCRAFT WITH A PUSHER-PROPELLER
Systems and methods for controlling a coaxial rotary-wing aircraft including a co-axial main rotor assembly and a pusher-propeller. One system includes an electronic controller configured to receive a reference velocity of the aircraft and receive a reference flight path angle of the aircraft. The electronic controller is also configured to simultaneously control the co-axial main rotor assembly and the pusher-propeller based on the reference velocity of the aircraft and the reference flight path angle of the aircraft, by simultaneously generating a commanded thrust of the pusher-propeller and a commanded thrust of the co-axial main rotor assembly using a multiple input, multiple output algorithm applying dynamic inversion.