A helicopter includes a propulsion system, gimbal assembly, and a controller. The propulsion system includes a first rotor assembly and a second rotor assembly. The first rotor assembly comprises a first motor coupled to a first rotor and the second rotor assembly comprises a second motor coupled to a second rotor. The second rotor is coaxial to the first rotor and is configured to be counter-rotating to the first rotor. The gimbal assembly couples a fuselage of the helicopter to the propulsion system. The controller is communicably coupled to the gimbal assembly and is configured to provide instructions to the gimbal assembly in order to weight-shift the fuselage of the helicopter, thereby controlling movements of the helicopter.

A helicopter includes a propulsion system, gimbal assembly, and a controller. The propulsion system includes a first and second rotor assembly, wherein the first rotor assembly comprises a first motor coupled to a first rotor, the first rotor comprising a plurality of first fixed-pitch blades and the second rotor assembly comprises a second motor coupled to a second rotor, the second rotor comprising a plurality of second fixed-pitch blades. The second rotor is coaxial to the first rotor and is configured to be counter-rotating to the first rotor. The controller is communicably coupled to the gimbal assembly and is configured to provide instructions to at least one of the first or second gimbal motors in order to orient the plurality of first and second fixed-pitch blades into a position that permits wind to rotate the first and second fixed-pitch blades and thereby charge the power source.

This disclosure is generally directed to an Unmanned Aerial Device (UAV) that uses a removable computing device for command and control. The UAV may include an airframe with rotors and an adjustable cradle to attach a computing device. The computing device, such as a smart phone, tablet, MP3 player, or the like, may provide the necessary avionics and computing equipment to control the UAV autonomously. For example, the adjustable cradle may be extended to fit a tablet or other large computing device, or retracted to fit a smart phone or other small computing device. Thus, the adjustable cradle may provide for the attachment and use of a plurality of different computing devices in conjunction with a single airframe. Additionally the UAV may comprise adjustable arms to assist in balancing the load of the different computing devices and/or additional equipment attached to the airframe.

A system for video imaging and photographing using an autonomous aerial platform. The system may be a quad rotor system using electrically powered propellers. The aerial platform may be commanded by the user to follow an object of interest. The aerial platform may have multiple configurations for its thrust units such that they are clear of the field of view of the imaging device in a first configuration, such that they protect the imaging device during landing in a second configuration, and that allows for efficient storage in a stowed configuration.

A collapsible flying device is provided having a housing including first and second housing sections forming an enclosure, and a motorized assembly that includes a drive motor and a drive shaft driven by the drive motor. The drive shaft matingly receives the first housing section and is coupled to the second housing section, wherein operation of the drive motor drives the drive shaft to move the first housing section from a closed position adjacent the second housing section to an open position spaced from the second housing section. A rotor hub is rotatingly driven by the drive motor. At least two rotor blades are coupled thereto and positioned within the enclosure in a collapsed position when the first housing section is in the closed position, and extend beyond the enclosure in an expanded position when the first housing section is in the open position.

The present disclosure provides a locking structure, an arm assembly and a movable platform. The locking structure includes a mounting member, a movable part member and a locking assembly. The movable part member is rotatably connected to the mounting member. The locking assembly is disposed on the mounting member or the movable member. When the mounting member and the movable member are rotated to form a preset angle, the locking assembly may synchronously lock the mounting member and the movable member in the current position, so that the movable member is kept in an unfolded state.

A propeller includes a plurality of blades that extends outward in a radial direction of a rotation central axis relative to the rotation central axis, and includes an end that is located on an opposite side of the rotation central axis. Each of the plurality of blades has a maximum angle of elevation in a position ranging from 30% to 60% with the rotation central axis as a starting point of a radius of a circle that passes through the end of each of the plurality of blades with the rotation central axis as a center, the maximum angle of elevation being a maximum of an angle of elevation in each of the plurality of blades. A change in the angle of elevation in a longitudinal direction of each of the plurality of blades is within 10 degrees per 5% of the radius. A change in the longitudinal direction of a cross-sectional maximum blade thickness is within 20% of a maximum blade thickness of each of the plurality of blades per 5% of the radius, the cross-sectional maximum blade thickness being a maximum blade thickness in a cross section of each of the plurality of blades, the cross section being orthogonal to the longitudinal direction. A change in a chord length of each of the plurality of blades in the longitudinal direction is within 20% of a maximum of the chord length in each of the plurality of blades per 5% of the radius.

A vehicle includes a first rotor system having a rotor blade having an axis of rotation, a rotatable inboard drive component, and a rotatable outboard drive component. The first rotor system further includes a flexible closed loop component associated with each of the inboard drive component and the outboard drive component. Movement of the closed loop component can selectively cause at least one of rotation of the rotor blade about the axis of rotation and movement of the axis of rotation.

An unmanned system maneuver controller (USMC) includes an inertial navigation system (INS) for state estimation of the USMC in three-dimensional (3D) space, a communications device configured to communicate with an unmanned system, and a processor configured to receive, via the communications device, flight, maneuver, or dive data from the unmanned system, and generate flight, maneuver, or dive control instructions based at least on the flight, maneuver, or dive data and data received from the INS. The flight, maneuver, or dive control instructions are configured to pilot the unmanned system based on movement of the USMC in 3D space. A remote may selectively control an operation of the USMC. The USMC may be mounted to a weapon or observation device, such that movement of the weapon or observation device in 3D space controls a movement of the unmanned system. Additional systems and associated methods are also provided.

A multi-rotor unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) includes a central body including an outer surface and an inner surface, a plurality of branch members connected to the central body, each branch member configured to support a corresponding actuator assembly, one or more receiving structures positioned on the outer surface of the central body and configured to receive one or more electrical components, the one or more electrical components comprising at least a battery of the UAV, and an indicator light disposed at an opening or a window on one of the plurality of branch members, wherein the opening or the window is made of a transparent or semi-transparent material.