Abstract:
A muffler devised particularly for a small, reciprocating-piston two-stroke internal combustion engine of the type used on unmanned aerial vehicles. The muffler comprises a body incorporating an inlet, an outlet, and a plurality of chambers for exhaust gas flow from the inlet to the outlet. The body is configured to present a compact profile for installation on the engine. The chambers are so configured that adjacent chambers communicate to facilitate exhaust gas flow from the inlet to the outlet via flow passages. The various chambers comprise an inner chamber, an outer chamber, and one or more intervening chambers disposed between the inner and outer chambers. The various chambers are disposed one about another in annular formation. This arrangement creates a long flow path from the inlet to the outlet incorporating various directional changes.
Abstract:
An aircraft having a vertical takeoff and landing fight mode and a forward flight mode. The aircraft includes an airframe and a versatile propulsion system attached to the airframe. The versatile propulsion system includes a plurality of propulsion assemblies. A flight control system is operable to independently control the propulsion assemblies. The propulsion assemblies are interchangeably attachable to the airframe such that the aircraft has a liquid fuel flight mode and an electric flight mode. In the liquid fuel flight mode, energy is provided to each of the propulsion assemblies from a liquid fuel. In the electric flight mode, energy is provided to each of the propulsion assemblies from an electric power source.
Abstract:
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for an unmanned aerial system inspection system. One of the methods is performed by a UAV and includes obtaining, from a user device, flight operation information describing an inspection of a vertical structure to be performed, the flight operation information including locations of one or more safe locations for vertical inspection. A location of the UAV is determined to correspond to a first safe location for vertical inspection. A first inspection of the structure is performed is performed at the first safe location, the first inspection including activating cameras. A second safe location is traveled to, and a second inspection of the structure is performed. Information associated with the inspection is provided to the user device.
Abstract:
An un-manned aerial vehicle including a powered chassis having a top side and a bottom side. The powered chassis includes a fuel powered electricity generator. The vehicle includes a flight system functionally coupled to the powered chassis. The vehicle includes a flood light system functionally coupled to a bottom side of the powered chassis and oriented to project light downward therefrom. The flood light system includes a plurality of modular lights that are able to selectably couple to the bottom side of the powered chassis. The flood light system includes a programmable light control module that controls lighting. The vehicle includes an automated flight control system functionally coupled to the flight system that automatically directs light from the flood light system to a desired region.
Abstract:
A multicopter is provided which includes an engine configured to generate rotation by burning fuel in the engine, a plurality of propellers configured to generate a lift by rotating, a rotation transmission path configured to distribute and transmit the rotation generated by the engine to the propellers.
Abstract:
Systems, methods, and devices are provided that combine an advance vehicle configuration, such as an advanced aircraft configuration, with the infusion of electric propulsion, thereby enabling a four times increase in range and endurance while maintaining a full vertical takeoff and landing (“VTOL”) and hover capability for the vehicle. Embodiments may provide vehicles with both VTOL and cruise efficient capabilities without the use of ground infrastructure. An embodiment vehicle may comprise a wing configured to tilt through a range of motion, a first series of electric motors coupled to the wing and each configured to drive an associated wing propeller, a tail configured to tilt through the range of motion, a second series of electric motors coupled to the tail and each configured to drive an associated tail propeller, and an electric propulsion system connected to the first series of electric motors and the second series of electric motors.
Abstract:
A vertical take-off aircraft with a propulsion drive for generating a driving force being effective in a horizontal direction and with a lift drive for generating a lifting force being effective in a vertical direction includes a motor for providing mechanical energy for the propulsion drive and a first generator for providing electrical energy for the lift drive. Moreover, the aircraft includes an exhaust gas turbocharger for the motor with a first turbine being driven by an exhaust gas flow of the motor, wherein the first turbine is configured to provide mechanical energy for the propulsion drive.
Abstract:
A propulsion system for a ducted fan vertical takeoff and landing aircraft (VTOL) powered by multiple electric motors with two, counter rotating electric motors comprising the primary thrust generation within a ducted fan component and 3 or more external electric motors providing lift, stability and directional control of the aircraft. Through the use of counter rotating ducted fans, the aircraft does not require the need for internal stators—either fixed or adjustable angle. Power to the electric motors is sourced by either onboard batteries, a ground based power source via a ground to aircraft tether, or an on board fuel cell or combustion engine driving an alternator.
Abstract:
Methods and systems are provided for using a measurement of only one axis of a three-axis magnetometer to perform at least one corrective action on an unmanned aerial vehicle (“UAV”). An exemplary embodiment comprises (i) receiving from a three-axis magnetometer a measurement representative of an attitude of a UAV, wherein the measurement is of only one axis of the magnetometer, (ii) comparing the measurement to an allowable range of attitudes, (iii) determining that the measurement is not within the allowable range of attitudes, and (iv) performing at least one corrective action on the UAV.
Abstract:
An airframe (1a) having a main body (4) and a tail body, a main rotor (6) disposed above the main body (4) and driven by an engine inside the airframe (1a), and a tail rotor disposed in a rear part of the tail body (5) are provided. A pair of support legs (8, 8) at left and right sides extending downward from left and right sides in a lower part of the main body (4) and a pair of skids (9) on left and right sides provided on the lower ends of the support legs (8) and positioned out of the main body (4) in the width direction of the airframe (1a) in a front view are provided. A radiator (71) at a position more frontward than the front ends of the skids (9) in a side view, formed extendedly downward from the vicinity of a bottom surface (83) of the front part of the main body, and having wind reception surfaces oriented to the longitudinal direction of the airframe is provided. Lateral ends of the radiator (71) in the width direction of the airframe (1a) project outward beyond lateral edges of a main body bottom surface (83) in the vicinity of the radiator (71) in a front view. Further, the lateral ends (71a) of the radiator (71) are positioned inward in the width direction of the airframe (1a) within skids 9.