公开(公告)号：US20220258851A1

公开(公告)日：2022-08-18

申请号：US17175327

申请日：2021-02-12

Applicant: Bell Textron Inc.

Inventor： John R. Wittmaak, Jr. ,  Russell C. Peters ,  Nathaniel G. Lundie

IPC: B64C13/16 ,  B64F5/60 ,  B64C29/02

Abstract: A method for reducing form drag on a tailsitter aircraft during at least one of takeoff or landing includes vertically taking off from the ground in a tailsitter orientation. The method also includes determining an actual pitch of the tail sitter aircraft in the tailsitter orientation. The method also includes determining a difference between the actual pitch and a predetermined pitch. The method also includes adjusting a heading of the tailsitter aircraft based on the difference to minimize a pitch angle to reduce the form drag on the tailsitter aircraft.

公开(公告)号：US11975817B2

公开(公告)日：2024-05-07

申请号：US17175327

申请日：2021-02-12

Applicant: Bell Textron Inc.

Inventor： John R. Wittmaak, Jr. ,  Russell C. Peters ,  Nathaniel G. Lundie

IPC: G05D1/00 ,  B64C13/16 ,  B64C29/02 ,  B64F5/60

CPC classification number: B64C13/16 ,  B64C29/02 ,  B64F5/60

Abstract: A method for reducing form drag on a tailsitter aircraft during at least one of takeoff or landing includes vertically taking off from the ground in a tailsitter orientation. The method also includes determining an actual pitch of the tail sitter aircraft in the tailsitter orientation. The method also includes determining a difference between the actual pitch and a predetermined pitch. The method also includes adjusting a heading of the tailsitter aircraft based on the difference to minimize a pitch angle to reduce the form drag on the tailsitter aircraft.

公开(公告)号：US11972692B2

公开(公告)日：2024-04-30

申请号：US17154602

申请日：2021-01-21

Applicant: Bell Textron Inc.

Inventor： John R. Wittmaak, Jr. ,  Joshua A. Edler ,  Alan H. Steinert ,  Joshua A Duckett

IPC: G08G5/00 ,  B64C39/02 ,  B64D45/00 ,  G07C5/08 ,  G08G5/04 ,  B64U101/00

CPC classification number: G08G5/045 ,  B64C39/024 ,  B64D45/00 ,  G07C5/0816 ,  G08G5/003 ,  B64D2045/0085 ,  B64U2101/00

Abstract: Methods and systems are described for increasing the safety of unmanned vehicles. Failure rates of components can be combined and adjusted if necessary given sensor data or statistical or historical data that impacts failure rates. The failure rates of components can be combined to give an overall failure or success rate for a vehicle and can be compared to an accepted failure or success rate in connection with a hazard. Hazards with heightened safety requirements can be avoided by a contingency maneuver if the unmanned vehicle's failure or success rate is not acceptable.