Patent classifications
B64C3/42
Locking device
A locking pin associated with one of a fixed wing and a wing tip device, and a bush associated with the other of the fixed wing and wing tip device, the bush configured to receive the locking pin. The bush is located within a bush housing arranged to allow relative movement of the bush in the direction of a longitudinal axis of the locking pin when the locking pin is received within the bush.
METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR RETAINING LATERAL CONTROL OF AN UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLE DURING LANDING WITH LEVELED INBOARD PROPELLERS
Systems, devices, and methods including an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV); one or more inner wing panels of the UAV; one or more outer wing panels of the UAV; at least one inboard propeller attached to at least one engine disposed on the one or more inner wing panels; at least one tip propeller attached to at least one engine disposed on the one or more outer wing panels; at least one microcontroller configured to: determine an angular position of the at least one inboard propeller; and send a signal to halt rotation of the at least one inboard propeller such that the at least one inboard propeller is held in an attitude that provides for clearance of the propeller blade to the ground upon landing.
METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR RETAINING LATERAL CONTROL OF AN UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLE DURING LANDING WITH LEVELED INBOARD PROPELLERS
Systems, devices, and methods including an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV); one or more inner wing panels of the UAV; one or more outer wing panels of the UAV; at least one inboard propeller attached to at least one engine disposed on the one or more inner wing panels; at least one tip propeller attached to at least one engine disposed on the one or more outer wing panels; at least one microcontroller configured to: determine an angular position of the at least one inboard propeller; and send a signal to halt rotation of the at least one inboard propeller such that the at least one inboard propeller is held in an attitude that provides for clearance of the propeller blade to the ground upon landing.
Curved interface between an outer end of a wing and a moveable wing tip device
An aircraft (1002) including a wing (1001), having a fixed wing (1005) with a wing tip device (1003) moveably mounted at the outer end thereof. The wing tip device (1003) is moveable between: a flight configuration; and a ground configuration about an axis of rotation. The wing tip device (1003) and the fixed wing (1005) meet along an interfacing cut line (1035). The interfacing cut line (1035) includes a curved section (1039) cent red on the axis of rotation (1011), the radius of the curved section constantly increasing as the cut line passes around the axis (for example a spiral shape).
Curved interface between an outer end of a wing and a moveable wing tip device
An aircraft (1002) including a wing (1001), having a fixed wing (1005) with a wing tip device (1003) moveably mounted at the outer end thereof. The wing tip device (1003) is moveable between: a flight configuration; and a ground configuration about an axis of rotation. The wing tip device (1003) and the fixed wing (1005) meet along an interfacing cut line (1035). The interfacing cut line (1035) includes a curved section (1039) cent red on the axis of rotation (1011), the radius of the curved section constantly increasing as the cut line passes around the axis (for example a spiral shape).
Apparatus and method for unmanned flight
Systems, apparatuses, and methods are provided herein for unmanned flight optimization. A system for unmanned flight comprises a set of motors configured to provide locomotion to an unmanned aerial vehicle, a set of wings coupled to a body of the unmanned aerial vehicle via an actuator and configured to move relative to the body of the unmanned aerial vehicle, a sensor system on the unmanned aerial vehicle, and a control circuit. The control circuit being configured to: control the unmanned aerial vehicle, cause the set of motors to lift the unmanned aerial vehicle, detect condition parameters based on the sensor system, determine a position for the set of wings based on the condition parameters, and cause the actuator to move the set of wings to the wing position while the unmanned aerial vehicle is in flight.
Apparatus and method for unmanned flight
Systems, apparatuses, and methods are provided herein for unmanned flight optimization. A system for unmanned flight comprises a set of motors configured to provide locomotion to an unmanned aerial vehicle, a set of wings coupled to a body of the unmanned aerial vehicle via an actuator and configured to move relative to the body of the unmanned aerial vehicle, a sensor system on the unmanned aerial vehicle, and a control circuit. The control circuit being configured to: control the unmanned aerial vehicle, cause the set of motors to lift the unmanned aerial vehicle, detect condition parameters based on the sensor system, determine a position for the set of wings based on the condition parameters, and cause the actuator to move the set of wings to the wing position while the unmanned aerial vehicle is in flight.
Passively actuated fluid foil
A fluid foil has a main fixed portion and a tip portion movably mounted at a tip end of the main fixed portion. The main fixed portion has an upper surface and a lower surface, and the tip portion has an upper surface and a lower surface. The fluid foil is operable in: a) a first configuration in which the upper surface of the tip portion is angled downwardly with respect to the upper surface of the main fixed portion; and b) a second configuration in which the tip portion is rotated upwardly with respect to the first configuration such that the upper surface of the tip portion and the upper surface of the main fixed portion are substantially continuous surfaces. The movement of the tip portion with respect to the main fixed portion is exclusively passively actuated by movement of the foil with respect to a surrounding fluid.
Passively actuated fluid foil
A fluid foil has a main fixed portion and a tip portion movably mounted at a tip end of the main fixed portion. The main fixed portion has an upper surface and a lower surface, and the tip portion has an upper surface and a lower surface. The fluid foil is operable in: a) a first configuration in which the upper surface of the tip portion is angled downwardly with respect to the upper surface of the main fixed portion; and b) a second configuration in which the tip portion is rotated upwardly with respect to the first configuration such that the upper surface of the tip portion and the upper surface of the main fixed portion are substantially continuous surfaces. The movement of the tip portion with respect to the main fixed portion is exclusively passively actuated by movement of the foil with respect to a surrounding fluid.
Folding wing hinge, aircraft and method therefor
A folding wing hinge for a wing having a fixed wing portion and a folding wing portion, the folding wing hinge including a hinge pin including a hinge pin spline and having a first longitudinal axis, an input fitting coupled to one of the fixed wing portion and the folding wing portion, the input fitting including an input fitting spline and a second longitudinal axis, and a spline coupling member having a coupling spline configured to couple with the hinge pin spline and the input fitting spline so that the first longitudinal axis moves relative to the second longitudinal axis by a first predetermined amount of movement.