Chain-Connected Micro-Areal Vehicles

Abstract

This invention proposes a method which enables one to combine several autonomous areal vehicles into a larger areal vehicle.

In particular, the proposed method enables arranging areal vehicles in a joint formation whereby a number of winged sections is joined horizontally and the flapping of the wings between the sections is coordinated in such a manner as to increase the lift-to-drag ratio. Changing the angle between the sections during the flight is done to increase the maneuverability of the vehicle.

Claims

1. An apparatus capable of autonomous flight, consisting of two sections joined one on top of the other and each section comprising: (a) a vertical rotor shaft of a cylindrical shape with a central hole, (b) a plurality of rotor blades attached to said rotor shaft, (c) a vertical central axle extending through the central hole of said rotor shaft above said rotor blades, (d) top joint clams at the top of said central axle for joining with the other section of the apparatus from the bottom, (e) a horizontal bottom joint axle at the bottom for joining with said top joint clams of the other section of the apparatus. (f) an axle tilt mechanism to rotate said bottom joint axle around its axis.

2. A method of enabling autonomous flight capability for a small areal vehicle, comprising: (a) providing an autonomous areal vehicle equipped with a plurality of wings in a number greater than four, (b) arranging a coordinated wing flapping whereby tip positions of all wings at each time form a wave-like pattern.

3. The method of claim 2 further comprising: (a) making the fuselage of said vehicle consisting of separate winged sections, each section having at least one pair of wings and capable of autonomous flight, (b) providing each said winged section with a front join mechanism, and a rear join mechanism for joining it with the other sections.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein the angle between two joined sections changes during the flight thereby increasing the maneuverability of the areal vehicle.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0006] FIG. 1: Coordinated wing flapping in a joined flight

[0007] FIG. 2: Front view of a single section

[0008] FIG. 3: Rear view of a single section

[0009] FIG. 4: Flexing body in a flight

MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0010] A mode of flying a wing-propelled vehicle described in claim 1 is shown in FIG. 1. In this mode an areal vehicle is equipped with multiple pairs of wings (26) and is capable of coordinated wing flapping so as to produce a coherent wave-like pattern. This type of propulsion is used in nature by sea creatures such as ribbon eels, sear horses, and infusorians. This method of wings flapping in conjunction with a joint flight will increase the total lift to drag ratio, thus enabling longer flight distances and make a vehicle more resistant to wind forces.

[0011] Embodiments of FIGS. 2 and 3 show the method of coupling multiple two-winged sections into a combined multi-winged section. This is done by means of special clams in the front (28) and in the rear (30) of the vehicle. In this joined formation a swarm of micro-areal vehicles flies on a long-distance mission and then uncouples at the destination.

[0012] The embodiment of FIG. 4 demonstrates the possibility of flexing the shape of the combined multi-winged vehicle consisting of chain-linked double-winged sections as described in Claim 1. This will provide for a greater maneuverability of the vehicle.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

[0013] Micro areal vehicles arranged in the manner suggested by the current invention can be used in such industrial applications as surveillance, retrieval, repair, delivery, toys, and large areas monitoring to name just a few.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST

[0014] 26. Wings [0015] 28. Front join mechanism [0016] 30. Rear join mechanism