Patent classifications
B64U10/70
Unmanned aerial vehicle
To provide an unmanned aerial vehicle that can allow its airframe to approach a structure surface safely and is able to move on a surface of the structure, while keeping a constant clearance between the structure surface and the airframe. This is solved by an manned aerial vehicle including one or a plurality of rotors and a plurality of rotating bodies having one or more driving sources, wherein at least a part of each of the rotating bodies in their rotational radius direction extends forth on an air intake side of the rotors relative to a position of rotational planes of the rotors, and negative pressure produced on the air intake side of the rotors causes the airframe to adhere by suction to a structure surface, and in this state, by driving the plurality of rotating bodies, the vehicle is enabled to travel on the surface.
Modular and Morphable Air Vehicle
A personal air vehicle may feature an air module that may be attached to a ground module. The air module may be equipped with exit vanes or vectored engine exhaust to provide redundant control effectors to the cyclic or collective pitch of at least one rotary wing under the control of a control system.
Multi-Dimensional Vehicle
A multi-dimensional vehicle configured for aerial and ground mobility is provided and includes a vehicle body, a plurality of vehicle wheels movably associated with the vehicle body and configurable between a ground mobility configuration and an aerial mobility configuration and a control device, wherein the control device is configured for wireless communication and is associated with the plurality of vehicle wheels to controllably operate the plurality of vehicle wheels and to controllably configure the plurality of vehicle wheels between the ground mobility configuration and the aerial mobility configuration, wherein each of the plurality of vehicle wheels include a wheel rim having an inner rim circumference and a plurality of fan blades distributed along the inner rim circumference, wherein the plurality of fan blades are configured to create a flow channel between each of the plurality of fan blades and an adjacent fan blade.
Walking VTOL drone and related systems and methods
Walking VTOL vehicles and related systems and methods are disclosed. A representative system can include one or more vertical thrust propulsion systems for providing vertical thrust for the vehicle, one or more horizontal thrust propulsion systems for providing horizontal thrust for the vehicle, and leg elements that are rotatable between a first configuration in which each leg element extends downwardly and a second configuration different from the first configuration. A representative method of operating a vehicle includes using vertical thrust to raise the vehicle upward, rotating a leg element forward, lowering the vehicle, and then rotating the leg element rearward to propel the vehicle forward.
Walking VTOL drone and related systems and methods
Walking VTOL vehicles and related systems and methods are disclosed. A representative system can include one or more vertical thrust propulsion systems for providing vertical thrust for the vehicle, one or more horizontal thrust propulsion systems for providing horizontal thrust for the vehicle, and leg elements that are rotatable between a first configuration in which each leg element extends downwardly and a second configuration different from the first configuration. A representative method of operating a vehicle includes using vertical thrust to raise the vehicle upward, rotating a leg element forward, lowering the vehicle, and then rotating the leg element rearward to propel the vehicle forward.
Locomotion systems and methods for aerial vehicles
Provided herein are systems and methods for an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) to skid and roll along an environmental surface. A rollable UAV includes an airframe assembly, a propulsion system, and a logic device configured to communicate with the propulsion system. The airframe assembly includes a cylindrical rolling guard configured to allow the UAV to roll along an environmental surface in contact with the cylindrical rolling guard. The logic device is configured to determine a rolling orientation for the UAV corresponding to the environmental surface, maneuver the UAV to place the cylindrical rolling guard of the airframe assembly in contact with the environmental surface, and roll the airframe assembly of the UAV along the environmental surface at approximately the determined rolling orientation while the cylindrical rolling guard is in contact with the environmental surface.
Locomotion systems and methods for aerial vehicles
Provided herein are systems and methods for an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) to skid and roll along an environmental surface. A rollable UAV includes an airframe assembly, a propulsion system, and a logic device configured to communicate with the propulsion system. The airframe assembly includes a cylindrical rolling guard configured to allow the UAV to roll along an environmental surface in contact with the cylindrical rolling guard. The logic device is configured to determine a rolling orientation for the UAV corresponding to the environmental surface, maneuver the UAV to place the cylindrical rolling guard of the airframe assembly in contact with the environmental surface, and roll the airframe assembly of the UAV along the environmental surface at approximately the determined rolling orientation while the cylindrical rolling guard is in contact with the environmental surface.
MISSION-ADAPTABLE AERIAL VEHICLE AND METHODS FOR IN-FIELD ASSEMBLY AND USE
Disclosed are devices, systems and methods for mission-adaptable aerial vehicle. In some aspects, a mission-adaptable aerial vehicle includes a configuration having swappable, manipulatable, and interchangeable sections and components connectable by a connection and fastening system able to be modified by an end-user in the field. In some embodiments, a mission-adaptable aerial vehicle can be configured to include a main center body extending along a longitudinal direction, a wing with a lateral cross-sectional airfoil shape, and/or stabilizer and control surface structures with corresponding cross-sectional airfoil shapes.
MISSION-ADAPTABLE AERIAL VEHICLE AND METHODS FOR IN-FIELD ASSEMBLY AND USE
Disclosed are devices, systems and methods for mission-adaptable aerial vehicle. In some aspects, a mission-adaptable aerial vehicle includes a configuration having swappable, manipulatable, and interchangeable sections and components connectable by a connection and fastening system able to be modified by an end-user in the field. In some embodiments, a mission-adaptable aerial vehicle can be configured to include a main center body extending along a longitudinal direction, a wing with a lateral cross-sectional airfoil shape, and/or stabilizer and control surface structures with corresponding cross-sectional airfoil shapes.
ROBUST AMPHIBIOUS AIRCRAFT
A robust amphibious air vehicle incorporates a fuselage with buoyant stabilizers and wings extending from the fuselage. At least one lift fan is mounted in the fuselage. Movable propulsion units carried by the wings are rotatable through a range of angles adapted for vertical and horizontal flight operations.