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.

The present invention relates to the field of air vehicle technologies and provides an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), including a vehicle body and arms connected to the vehicle body. The arm is hinged to the vehicle body by using a spherical hinge portion and may be folded or unfolded relative to the vehicle body. Through the forgoing manner, the arm is connected to the vehicle body of the UAV by using the spherical hinge. The arm can be folded and unfolded smoothly without interference, which conforms to known operation habits of users, so that after the entire UAV is folded, the structure becomes more compact and easier to carry. In addition, it can be effectively avoided that the UAV is damaged due to impact in the carrying process.

The present invention relates to the field of air vehicle technologies and provides an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), including a vehicle body and arms connected to the vehicle body. The arm is hinged to the vehicle body by using a spherical hinge portion and may be folded or unfolded relative to the vehicle body. Through the forgoing manner, the arm is connected to the vehicle body of the UAV by using the spherical hinge. The arm can be folded and unfolded smoothly without interference, which conforms to known operation habits of users, so that after the entire UAV is folded, the structure becomes more compact and easier to carry. In addition, it can be effectively avoided that the UAV is damaged due to impact in the carrying process.

The invention is directed to an aerial vehicle with a hybrid drive unit (10) and with a rotor unit (1, 1′) wherein the hybrid drive unit (10) comprises at least a combustion engine (11), a generator (12) and a first electric motor (7) and the rotor unit (1, 1′) comprises a first rotor (1), wherein the combustion engine (11) is configured to drive the generator (12) to produce electricity, the generator (12) is coupled to the first electric motor (7) in such a way that the first electric motor (7) is feedable with electricity from the generator (12). The rotor unit (1, 1′) comprises a second rotor (1) and the hybrid drive unit (10) comprises a second electric motor (7′), wherein the generator (12) is coupled to the second electric motor (7′) in such a way that the second electric motor (7′) is feedable with electricity from the generator (12), and wherein the first rotor (1) is driven by the first electric motor (7) and the second rotor (1′) is driven by the second electric motor (7′).

A flying object according to the present technology includes: an airframe including a rotary wing part; a plurality of sensors each provided on a bottom side of the airframe, detecting an opposed surface, and measuring a distance from the surface; and a control device including an estimation unit that estimates an attitude of the airframe with respect to the surface on a basis of the distance at each position of the sensors obtained from the plurality of sensors.

A multicopter comprises: a support; rotors supported by the support; an internal combustion engine supported by the support; a generator supported by the support and driven by the internal combustion engine to generate power; electric motors supported by the support, supplied with electric power from the generators, and configured to drive the rotors; and a circuitry that control a flight of an aircraft by individually adjusting a rotational speed of each of the rotors. The multicopter also comprises a plurality of the internal combustion engines or a plurality of the generators.

A multicopter comprises: a support; rotors supported by the support; an internal combustion engine supported by the support; a generator supported by the support and driven by the internal combustion engine to generate power; electric motors supported by the support, supplied with electric power from the generators, and configured to drive the rotors; and a circuitry that control a flight of an aircraft by individually adjusting a rotational speed of each of the rotors. The multicopter also comprises a plurality of the internal combustion engines or a plurality of the generators.

A multicopter is provided with: a support; multiple rotors provided to the support; an engine which is provided to the support and capable of varying the output thereof; an electric generator which is supported by the support and generates electricity by being driven by the engine; a capacitor which is provided to the support; multiple motors which are provided to the support, which are configured to be capable of supplying electricity from the electric generator and the capacitor, and which drive the multiple rotors respectively; a flight controller which controls the attitude of the multicopter main body by adjusting the revolving speeds of the respective rotors; and a power plant controller which controls the electric power to be generated by controlling both the engine and the electric generator in accordance with a control instruction given by the flight controller.

A multicopter is provided with: a support; multiple rotors provided to the support; an engine which is provided to the support and capable of varying the output thereof; an electric generator which is supported by the support and generates electricity by being driven by the engine; a capacitor which is provided to the support; multiple motors which are provided to the support, which are configured to be capable of supplying electricity from the electric generator and the capacitor, and which drive the multiple rotors respectively; a flight controller which controls the attitude of the multicopter main body by adjusting the revolving speeds of the respective rotors; and a power plant controller which controls the electric power to be generated by controlling both the engine and the electric generator in accordance with a control instruction given by the flight controller.

Embodiments herein describe UAVs that utilize tail boom assemblies from pre-existing aircraft designs as lift generating elements. In one embodiment, a UAV includes a fuselage having a first end and a second end opposite the first end, a first tail boom coupler disposed at the first end, and a second tail boom coupler disposed at the second end. Each of the first tail boom coupler and the second tail boom coupler are configured to mechanically couple with a plurality of tail boom assemblies procured from a pre-existing aircraft design.