B64C25/08

FLYING BODY
20210291978 · 2021-09-23 ·

To provide a flying body in which the flight part and the main body can be detachably attached and work can be performed in each thereof. The flying body according to the present invention includes a flight part and a main body. The main body is detachably connected to the flight part so that at least the main body can be installed on the installation target surface. In addition, each of the flight part and the main body is detachably connected by a connection part that swingably connects within a predetermined range. According to this configuration, after the flying body reaches the planned activity point, only the main body equipped with a camera or the like remains in the place, and the activity can be continued independently of the flight part.

Aircraft system with assisted taxi, take off, and climbing

An aircraft system with assisted taxi, take-off and climbing, comprising: a main air vehicle capable of performing autonomously the cruising and landing phases of a flight, an auxiliary air vehicle lighter than the main air vehicle and configured to assist the main air vehicle during the taxing and take-off phases of a flight. Main and auxiliary air vehicles are adapted to be detachably connectable, so that the auxiliary air vehicle can assist the main air vehicle when both are attached to each other during taxing, take-off and climbing. The auxiliary air vehicle is an unmanned air vehicle and it is further configured to fly and land when it is detached from the main air vehicle. Aircraft operations cost and aircraft production cost are reduced, by optimizing the design (sizing) and capabilities of some systems of an aircraft.

Aircraft system with assisted taxi, take off, and climbing

An aircraft system with assisted taxi, take-off and climbing, comprising: a main air vehicle capable of performing autonomously the cruising and landing phases of a flight, an auxiliary air vehicle lighter than the main air vehicle and configured to assist the main air vehicle during the taxing and take-off phases of a flight. Main and auxiliary air vehicles are adapted to be detachably connectable, so that the auxiliary air vehicle can assist the main air vehicle when both are attached to each other during taxing, take-off and climbing. The auxiliary air vehicle is an unmanned air vehicle and it is further configured to fly and land when it is detached from the main air vehicle. Aircraft operations cost and aircraft production cost are reduced, by optimizing the design (sizing) and capabilities of some systems of an aircraft.

TRAM SYSTEM AND METHODS FOR AUTONOMOUS TAKEOFF AND LANDING OF AIRCRAFT
20210269173 · 2021-09-02 ·

One variation of a tram system includes: a chassis; a latch configured to selectively engage a latch receiver mounted to an aircraft; an alignment feature adjacent the latch and configured to engage an alignment receiver mounted to the aircraft and to communicate acceleration and braking forces from the chassis into the aircraft; an optical sensor facing upwardly from the chassis; a drivetrain configured to accelerate and decelerate the chassis along a runway; and a controller configured to detect an optical fiducial arranged on the aircraft in optical images recorded by the optical sensor adjust a speed of the drivetrain to longitudinally align the alignment feature with the alignment receiver based on positions of the optical fiducial detected in the optical images, trigger the latch to engage the latch receiver once the aircraft has descended onto the chassis, and trigger the drivetrain to actively decelerate the chassis during a landing routine.

TRAM SYSTEM AND METHODS FOR AUTONOMOUS TAKEOFF AND LANDING OF AIRCRAFT
20210269173 · 2021-09-02 ·

One variation of a tram system includes: a chassis; a latch configured to selectively engage a latch receiver mounted to an aircraft; an alignment feature adjacent the latch and configured to engage an alignment receiver mounted to the aircraft and to communicate acceleration and braking forces from the chassis into the aircraft; an optical sensor facing upwardly from the chassis; a drivetrain configured to accelerate and decelerate the chassis along a runway; and a controller configured to detect an optical fiducial arranged on the aircraft in optical images recorded by the optical sensor adjust a speed of the drivetrain to longitudinally align the alignment feature with the alignment receiver based on positions of the optical fiducial detected in the optical images, trigger the latch to engage the latch receiver once the aircraft has descended onto the chassis, and trigger the drivetrain to actively decelerate the chassis during a landing routine.

Unmanned Aerial Vehicle

The objective of the present invention is to provide a device configuration, a method and the like for performing an imaging survey within a survey space using an unmanned aerial vehicle. Provided is an unmanned aerial vehicle provided with at least four rotating blades, and a control unit which controls the rotation of the at least four rotating blades, wherein the unmanned aerial vehicle is provided with a survey camera in a position on a chassis of the unmanned aerial vehicle, between at least one rotating blade positioned on the side in the direction of travel, from among the at least four rotating blades, and at least one rotating blade positioned on the opposite side to the direction of travel, and wherein, when flying above a surface in which a liquid is at least partially present, the unmanned aerial vehicle flies while at least partially preventing scattered liquid from reaching above the chassis by means of the at least four rotating blades.

Integral bracket manifold for landing gear assemblies

A bracket manifold for a landing gear assembly is disclosed. In various embodiments, the bracket manifold includes a mounting plate having a central portion and a first wing portion extending from the central portion; and a first manifold section integrated monolithically into at least one of the central portion and the first wing portion of the mounting plate.

SELF-LUBRICATED ELECTRICALLY CONDUCTIVE BUSHING
20210269146 · 2021-09-02 · ·

A bushing for aircraft landing gear includes a cylindrical wall having an interior surface defining a bore extending between a first and second axial end thereof and a cylindrical recess extending into the interior surface. The bushing includes a cylindrical self-lubricating liner which is substantially flush with the interior surface is disposed in the recess. The cylindrical wall includes a flange that has an annular recess that receives an annular self-lubricating liner that has a planar axial bearing surface. The planar axial bearing surface is coplanar with an inboard axial surface of the flange. The bushing has an electrically conductive path that conducts electrical current and that extends around the cylindrical self-lubricating liner and the annular self-lubricating liner and through the cylindrical wall and the flange.

Imaging Investigation System and Imaging Investigation Method

Provided are a device configuration, method, etc. for performing imaging investigation in an investigation space using an unmanned aerial vehicle. A system includes: a flight start platform; the vehicle which is connected to a line-type member and equipped with an investigation camera, a travel-direction imaging camera, and a vehicle-side communication unit; an external control device which is equipped with a display unit and an external control device-side communication unit, and which receives the travel-direction image data through the external control device-side communication unit, receives an input of control commands for the vehicle while having a video or still image obtained from the travel-direction image data displayed on the display unit, and transmits a signal indicating the control commands from the external control device-side communication unit; and an attraction device which is connected to the line-type member and attracts the vehicle.

Unmanned Aerial Vehicle, Flight Control Mechanism for Unmanned Aerial Vehicle, and Method for Using Unmanned Aerial Vehicle and Mechanism for Unmanned Aerial Vehicle
20210147078 · 2021-05-20 ·

The purpose of the present invention is to provide a flight control mechanism for controlling flight of an unmanned aerial vehicle by controlling collision between the vehicle and a boundary surface, an unmanned aerial vehicle equipped with the mechanism, and a method for using the mechanism and the vehicle. Provided is a flight control mechanism for an unmanned aerial vehicle including: a first initial collision member; a second initial collision member; and a holding member that holds the first and second initial collision members with a space therebetween above the body of the unmanned aerial vehicle, is tiltable with respect to the vehicle body by rotating about a predetermined position inside or above the vehicle body toward the side of the vehicle body, and rotates in response to collision between the first or second initial collision member and a boundary surface.