Abstract:
Embodiments of the present invention provide an alternative distributed airborne transportation system. In some embodiments, a method for distributed airborne transportation includes: providing an airborne vehicle with a wing and a wing span, having capacity to carry one or more of passengers or cargo; landing of the airborne vehicle near one or more of passengers or cargo and loading at least one of passengers or cargo; taking-off and determining a flight direction for the airborne vehicle; locating at least one other airborne vehicle, which has substantially the same flight direction; and joining at least one other airborne vehicle in flight formation and forming a fleet, in which airborne vehicles fly with the same speed and direction and in which adjacent airborne vehicles are separated by distance of less than 100 wing spans.
Abstract:
A vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircraft is provided and includes a fuselage, inboard wings extending from opposite sides of the fuselage to define a support plane and engine nacelles disposed along the wings. Each of the wings includes ground alighting elements and a variable geometry such that a portion of the ground alighting elements are alignable with the support plane during in-flight conditions and displaceable from the support plane.
Abstract:
A method, system and computer readable medium for projectile launched UAV reconnaissance/surveillance are described. The method can include determining a designated target. The method can also include estimating a distance and trajectory from a launch point to the target and communicating distance and trajectory information to a launcher, a projectile and a communication and control system. The method can also include firing a separation charge when the UAV projectile reaches a predetermined point along the flight path, the separation charge being configured to separate a UAV from a projectile casing. The method can further include deploying the UAV and activating a propulsion system of the UAV and obtaining signals via one or more sensors.
Abstract:
An aerial vehicle including self-autonomous deployable arms and methods of deploying the vehicle are disclosed. The arms may include patterns located thereon that allow the arms to transition between wrapped, flat, and deployed configurations autonomously without the need for direct intervention by a user.
Abstract:
Embodiments of the present invention relate to an adaptable wing having a variable geometry for influencing aerodynamic performance, the wing comprising a jointed leading edge having a main pivot, and a wrist joint, with a wing arm therebetween, 5 and a distal wing hand depending from the wrist joint; the wing being reciprocally actuable, via the main pivot and wrist joint, between a first state having an extended wing planform and a second state having a tucked wing planform.
Abstract:
A collapsible wing, methods of producing the collapsible wing, and an unmanned aircraft system that includes the collapsible wing are provided.
Abstract:
A combined submersible vessel and unmanned aerial vehicle preferably includes a body structure, at least one wing structure, at least one vertical stabilizer structure, and at least one horizontal stabilizer structure. A propulsion system is coupled to the body structure and is configured to propel the flying submarine in both airborne flight and underwater operation. Preferably, the propulsion system includes a motor, a gearbox coupled to the motor and configured to receive power generated by the motor and provide variable output power, a drive shaft coupled to the gearbox and configured to transfer the variable output power provided by the gearbox, and a propeller coupled to the drive shaft and configured to accept power transferred to it from the drive shaft. The propeller is further configured to rotate and propel the flying submarine in both an airborne environment and in an underwater environment.
Abstract:
The present invention provides novel inflatable and rigidizable support elements, and methods of manufacture and use thereof. In particular, the present invention provides inflatable and rigidizable support elements which find use in rapidly deploying and supporting the wing of an aerial vehicle.
Abstract:
Equipment and methods that combine the use of wave powered vehicles and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs or drones). A UAV can be launched from a wave-powered vehicle, observe another vessel, and report the results of its observation to the wave-powered vehicle, and the wave-powered vehicle can report the results of the observation to a remote location. The UAV can land on water and can then be recovered by the wave-powered vehicle.
Abstract:
The present invention provides novel inflatable and rigidizable support elements, and methods of manufacture and use thereof. In particular, the present invention provides inflatable and rigidizable support elements rapidly inflated and rigidized using an acrylic adhesive and UV light generated by combustion, which find use, for example, in rapidly deploying and supporting the wing of an aerial vehicle and wind turbine towers.