公开(公告)号：US20170174323A1

公开(公告)日：2017-06-22

申请号：US14973610

申请日：2015-12-17

Applicant: Amazon Technologies, Inc.

Inventor： Nicholas Hampel Roberts ,  Dominic Timothy Shiosaki ,  Ricky Dean Welsh

IPC: B64C11/48 ,  B64C39/02 ,  B64C11/30 ,  B64C27/46 ,  B64C27/14

CPC classification number: B64C11/48 ,  B64C11/18 ,  B64C11/306 ,  B64C27/10 ,  B64C27/14 ,  B64C27/463 ,  B64C27/473 ,  B64C39/024 ,  B64C2201/024 ,  B64C2201/027 ,  B64C2201/108 ,  Y02E10/721

Abstract: Multiple propeller blades may be joined by tip connectors to form a closed propeller apparatus. The tip connectors may create continuous structure between adjacent tips of a first propeller and a second propeller. Use of the tip connectors may reduce vortices created near the tips of the propeller blades, which cause drag and slow the rotation of the propeller blades. The tip connectors may also reduce noise caused by rotation of propeller blades. Further, the tip connectors reduce or eliminate deflection of the propeller blades by creating a support structure to counteract forces that would otherwise cause deflection of the propeller blades, thereby improving propeller blade loading. In some embodiments, the tip connectors may be formed of a malleable material and/or include one or more joints that enable at least one of the propellers to modify a pitch of blades of the propeller.

公开(公告)号：US09586683B1

公开(公告)日：2017-03-07

申请号：US14580066

申请日：2014-12-22

Applicant: Amazon Technologies, Inc.

Inventor： Daniel Buchmueller ,  Gur Kimchi ,  Louis LeRoi LeGrand, III ,  Samuel Park ,  Christopher Hammond Sczudlo ,  Ricky Dean Welsh ,  Neil Whitney Woodward, III

IPC: G05D1/10 ,  B64C39/02

CPC classification number: B64C39/024 ,  B64C2201/027 ,  B64C2201/042 ,  B64C2201/108 ,  B64C2201/128 ,  B64C2201/146 ,  B64C2201/165 ,  G05D1/0005 ,  G05D1/0858 ,  G05D1/101

Abstract: This disclosure describes a configuration of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) that will facilitate extended flight duration. The UAV may have any number of lifting motors. For example, the UAV may include four lifting motors (also known as a quad-copter), eight lifting motors (octo-copter), etc. Likewise, to improve the efficiency of horizontal flight, the UAV also includes a thrusting motor and propeller assembly that is oriented at approximately ninety degrees to one or more of the lifting motors. When the UAV is moving horizontally, it may be determined if the horizontal airspeed of the UAV exceeds an airspeed threshold. If the horizontal airspeed exceeds the airspeed threshold, the thrusting motor may be engaged and the thrusting propeller will aid in the horizontal propulsion of the UAV.

Abstract translation: 本公开描述了将有助于延长飞行持续时间的无人驾驶飞行器（UAV）的配置。 无人机可能有任何数量的起重马达。 例如，无人机可以包括四台提升马达（也称为四通机），八台起升马达（八重直升机）等。同样地，为了提高水平飞行的效率，无人机还包括推进马达和推进器 组件，其定向在一个或多个起重马达上大约九十度。 当UAV水平移动时，可以确定UAV的水平空速是否超过空速阈值。 如果水平空速超过空速阈值，则推力马达可以接合，并且推进螺旋桨将有助于UAV的水平推进。

公开(公告)号：US20160375997A1

公开(公告)日：2016-12-29

申请号：US14637323

申请日：2015-03-03

Applicant: Amazon Technologies, Inc.

Inventor： Ricky Dean Welsh ,  Louis LeRoi LeGrand, III

IPC: B64C29/00 ,  B64D1/00 ,  B64D45/00 ,  B64C9/26 ,  B64D47/08 ,  B64C23/06 ,  B64C39/02

Abstract: This disclosure describes a configuration of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) that includes a substantially polygonal perimeter frame and a central frame. The perimeter frame includes a front wing, a lower rear wing, and an upper rear wing. The wings provide lift to the UAV when the UAV is moving in a direction that includes a horizontal component. The UAV may have any number of lifting motors. For example, the UAV may include four lifting motors (also known as a quad-copter), eight lifting motors (octo-copter), etc. Likewise, to improve the efficiency of horizontal flight, the UAV may also include one or more thrusting motors and corresponding thrusting propellers. When the UAV is moving horizontally, the thrusting motor(s) may be engaged and the thrusting propeller(s) will aid in the horizontal propulsion of the UAV.

Abstract translation: 本公开描述了包括基本上多边形的周边框架和中央框架的无人机（UAV）的配置。 周边框架包括前翼，下后翼和上后翼。 当无人机在包括水平部件的方向移动时，机翼向无人机提供升力。 无人机可能有任何数量的起重马达。 例如，无人机可以包括四个提升马达（也称为四通机），八个提升马达（八重直升机）等。同样，为了提高横向飞行的效率，UAV还可以包括一个或多个推力 电机和相应的推进螺旋桨。 当UAV水平移动时，推进马达可以接合，并且推进螺旋桨将有助于UAV的水平推进。

公开(公告)号：US20160244157A1

公开(公告)日：2016-08-25

申请号：US14626357

申请日：2015-02-19

Applicant: Amazon Technologies, Inc.

Inventor： Ricky Dean Welsh

IPC: B64C27/52 ,  B64C11/46 ,  B64C39/02 ,  B64C27/28

CPC classification number: B64C27/52 ,  B62D63/04 ,  B63B1/32 ,  B63B2035/006 ,  B63H25/00 ,  B64C11/46 ,  B64C27/28 ,  B64C39/024 ,  B64C2201/021 ,  B64C2201/024 ,  B64C2201/027 ,  B64C2201/108 ,  B64C2201/128 ,  B64C2201/165 ,  B64G1/10 ,  B64G1/22

Abstract: This disclosure describes a configuration of an unmanned aerial vehicle (“UAV”) that will facilitate extended flight duration. The UAV may have any number of lifting motors. For example, the UAV may include four lifting motors (also known as a quad-copter), eight lifting motors (also known as an octo-copter), etc. Likewise, to improve the efficiency of horizontal flight, the UAV also includes a pivot assembly that may rotate about an axis from a lifting position to a thrusting position. The pivot assembly may include two or more offset motors that generate a differential force that will cause the pivot assembly to rotate between the lifting position and the thrusting position without the need for any additional motors or gears.

Abstract translation: 本公开描述了将有助于延长飞行持续时间的无人驾驶飞行器（“UAV”）的配置。 无人机可能有任何数量的起重马达。 例如，无人机可以包括四个提升马达（也称为四通机），八个提升马达（也称为八重直升机）等。同样，为了提高水平飞行的效率，UAV还包括一个 枢轴组件可以围绕轴线从提升位置旋转到推动位置。 枢转组件可以包括两个或更多个偏移电动机，其产生将使枢转组件在提升位置和推动位置之间旋转的差动力，而不需要任何附加的电动机或齿轮。