A method for controlling an overdetermined system with multiple power-restricted actuators that perform a primary task and non-primary tasks, including: a) determining a pseudo-control command based on a physical model of the system, which pseudo-control command represents the torques and a total thrust force acting on the system, b) determining a control matrix, c) dissociating the control matrix into sub control matrices, wherein the sub control matrices and the corresponding sub pseudo-control commands correspond to the primary task for i=1 and for i>1 correspond to the non-primary task(s) and a priority of the non-primary tasks decreases with increasing index i, d) determining actuator control commands for solving the primary task, e) projecting the non-primary tasks into the null space of the primary task, and into respective null spaces of all of the non-primary tasks of higher priority, if present, and f) providing the actuator control commands from d) and e) at the actuators.

A method for controlling an overdetermined system with multiple power-restricted actuators that perform a primary task and non-primary tasks, including: a) determining a pseudo-control command based on a physical model of the system, which pseudo-control command represents the torques and a total thrust force acting on the system, b) determining a control matrix, c) dissociating the control matrix into sub control matrices, wherein the sub control matrices and the corresponding sub pseudo-control commands correspond to the primary task for i=1 and for i>1 correspond to the non-primary task(s) and a priority of the non-primary tasks decreases with increasing index i, d) determining actuator control commands for solving the primary task, e) projecting the non-primary tasks into the null space of the primary task, and into respective null spaces of all of the non-primary tasks of higher priority, if present, and f) providing the actuator control commands from d) and e) at the actuators.

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a method for operating a multicopter experiencing a failure during flight, the multicopter comprising a body, and at least four effectors attached to the body, each operable to produce both a torque and a thrust force which can cause the multicopter to fly when not experiencing said failure. The method may comprise the step of identifying a failure wherein the failure affects the torque and/or thrust force produced by an effector, and in response to identifying a failure carrying out the following steps, (1) computing an estimate of the orientation of a primary axis of said body with respect to a predefined reference frame, wherein said primary axis is an axis about which said multicopter rotates when flying, (2) computing an estimate of the angular velocity of said multicopter, (3) controlling one or more of said at least four effectors based on said estimate of the orientation of the primary axis of said body with respect to said predefined reference frame and said estimate of the angular velocity of the multicopter. The step of controlling one or more of said at least four effectors may be performed such that (a) said one or more effectors collectively produce a torque along said primary axis and a torque perpendicular to said primary axis, wherein (i) the torque along said primary axis causes said multicopter to rotate about said primary axis, and (ii) the torque perpendicular to said primary axis causes said multicopter to move such that the orientation of said primary axis converges to a target orientation with respect to said predefined reference frame, and (b) such that said one or more effectors individually produce a thrust force along said primary axis.

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a method for operating a multicopter experiencing a failure during flight, the multicopter comprising a body, and at least four effectors attached to the body, each operable to produce both a torque and a thrust force which can cause the multicopter to fly when not experiencing said failure. The method may comprise the step of identifying a failure wherein the failure affects the torque and/or thrust force produced by an effector, and in response to identifying a failure carrying out the following steps, (1) computing an estimate of the orientation of a primary axis of said body with respect to a predefined reference frame, wherein said primary axis is an axis about which said multicopter rotates when flying, (2) computing an estimate of the angular velocity of said multicopter, (3) controlling one or more of said at least four effectors based on said estimate of the orientation of the primary axis of said body with respect to said predefined reference frame and said estimate of the angular velocity of the multicopter. The step of controlling one or more of said at least four effectors may be performed such that (a) said one or more effectors collectively produce a torque along said primary axis and a torque perpendicular to said primary axis, wherein (i) the torque along said primary axis causes said multicopter to rotate about said primary axis, and (ii) the torque perpendicular to said primary axis causes said multicopter to move such that the orientation of said primary axis converges to a target orientation with respect to said predefined reference frame, and (b) such that said one or more effectors individually produce a thrust force along said primary axis.

A vertical takeoff and landing aircraft is capable of vertical takeoff and landing and horizontal flight, and includes a cabin, rotors, protectors, a connector and a hinge. The cabin is capable of carrying a crew and/or a cargo. The rotors are positioned in front of and behind the cabin during the vertical takeoff and landing. The protectors surround the rotors. The connector connects the protectors to one another. The hinge attaches the connector to the cabin such that the connector is rotatable with respect to the cabin. The vertical takeoff and landing aircraft performs the vertical takeoff and landing and the horizontal flight by the connector rotating with respect to the cabin and accordingly the rotors and fixed wings rotating around the cabin.

A vertical takeoff and landing aircraft is capable of vertical takeoff and landing and horizontal flight, and includes a cabin, rotors, protectors, a connector and a hinge. The cabin is capable of carrying a crew and/or a cargo. The rotors are positioned in front of and behind the cabin during the vertical takeoff and landing. The protectors surround the rotors. The connector connects the protectors to one another. The hinge attaches the connector to the cabin such that the connector is rotatable with respect to the cabin. The vertical takeoff and landing aircraft performs the vertical takeoff and landing and the horizontal flight by the connector rotating with respect to the cabin and accordingly the rotors and fixed wings rotating around the cabin.

Embodiments of the present application are a UAV foot stand and a UAV. The UAV foot stand includes a main body, a mounting board, and a support structure, where one end of the main body is provided with a lightening cavity, one end of the main body that is provided with the lightening cavity extends outward to form the mounting board, the support structure is fixed to the main body, and the support structure at least partially extends into the lightening cavity and is connected to an inner wall of the lightening cavity, so as to increase rigidity of the main body.

In an aspect, a system includes a plurality of propulsors connected to an aircraft. Each propulsor of the plurality of propulsors is configured to operate independently from one another. A system includes a fuselage of an aircraft. A fuselage is configured to include a protective barrier and a height greater than the plurality of propulsors. A system includes a plurality of electric motors configured to adjust a torque of each propulsor of the plurality of propulsors. A system includes a computing device configured to detect a torque of each propulsor of the plurality of propulsors. A computing device is configured to determine a flight maneuver. A computing device is configured to adjust a property of each propulsor of the plurality of propulsors using the plurality of electric motors as a function of the detected torque.

A plurality of energy storage packs (51 to 58) supply a current to a plurality of motor driver (31 to 38) that drive a plurality of motors (21 to 28) mounted on moving object (1), respectively. Sub energy storage pack (59) supplies a current to at least one of a plurality of first current paths connecting the plurality of motor driver (31 to 38) and the plurality of energy storage packs (51 to 58), or pulls a current from at least one of the plurality of first current paths. Controller (70) controls the plurality of first switches (S11 to S18) and the plurality of second switches (S21 to S28) to adjust capacities between the plurality of energy storage packs (51 to 58).

A flight vehicle control and stabilization process detects and measures an orientation of a non-fixed portion relative to a fixed frame or portion of a flight vehicle, following a perturbation in the non-fixed portion from one or both of tilt and rotation thereof. A pilot or rider tilts or rotates the non-fixed portion, or both, to intentionally adjust the orientation and effect a change in the flight vehicle's direction. The flight vehicle control and stabilization process calculates a directional adjustment of the rest of the flight vehicle from this perturbation and induces the fixed portion to re-orient itself with the non-fixed portion to effect control and stability of the flight vehicle. The flight vehicle control and stabilization process also detects changes in speed and altitude, and includes stabilization components to adjust flight vehicle operation from unintentional payload movement on the non-fixed portion.