Abstract:
Power management method and system for an unmanned air vehicle, wherein the unmanned air vehicle comprises a plurality of power demanding subsystems and a plurality of power sources. The invention establishes mission oriented fixed parameters. A fuzzy logic power management unit, comprised in the system, automatically calculates and assigns priorities for delivering power to the subsystems. It also automatically calculates and assigns amounts of power delivered to each subsystem and automatically decides which of the power sources to deliver power to which subsystem. The fuzzy logic power management system calculates and assigns the priorities and loads in function of a plurality of internal variables, external variables and the mission oriented fixed parameters.
Abstract:
Embodiments of a hand-launched solar-powered aircraft are disclosed. In addition, embodiments of kits are disclosed for the construction of a hand-launched solar-powered aircraft. Further, embodiments of methods of making a hand-launched aircraft are disclosed. In some embodiments, the hand-launched aircraft is solar-powered. Still further, embodiments of an educational kit for a hand-launched, solar-powered aircraft are disclosed. In various embodiments, the educational kit comprises educational material on one or more science and technology learning topics, which educational material is relevant to and supplemented by the assembly and/or operation of the aircraft. The education material can relate to, for example, one or more of flying techniques, aeronautics, renewable energy, electronics, mechanical engineering, and/or climatology.
Abstract:
An airborne observational apparatus is disclosed which is capable of staying in the air for an unlimited period of time. The apparatus includes a ground located, continuous electric power source and an aerial device which is connected permanently to the said power source by a tether cable. The aerial device has a conical shape body. At least one propeller is mounted on the top of the body including at least two rotating blades. The propeller is operated by an electric motor located at the lower part of the said body. The center of gravity of the aerial device will be in its lower part. The tether cable is connected to the aerial device by a preferably U-shaped member on the upper side of the conical body in a pivotal manner. The aerial device has self balancing capability even in strong gusting wind keeping the aerial device in vertical or slightly inclined direction. Photographic or other types of information collecting or broadcasting equipment can be mounted on the aerial device with the capability transferring data to a ground station through the tether cable or radio communication.
Abstract:
Methods and apparatus for unmanned long endurance flights are provided herein. In some embodiments, a lightweight solar wing for unmanned aircraft may include at least one airfoil profile, a top surface, a bottom surface, a leading edge, a trailing edge, wing tips, and at least one photovoltaic cell, wherein the surfaces and edges follow an arched bow shape across a span of the wing. In some embodiments, an unmanned solar-powered aircraft may include at least one lightweight solar wing as described above, at least one fuselage, and at least one propeller, wherein the fuselage is placed below the solar wing and contains an electric motor, battery, and electronics.
Abstract:
In one example, a long endurance airship system includes a first combined airship with a payload airship and a first logistics airship. The first combined airship is configured for stationkeeping at a predetermined station during meteorological conditions with wind speeds below a predetermined threshold. The airship system also includes a second combined airship which is a reconfiguration of the first combined airship and includes the payload airship and a second logistics airship. The second combined airship is configured for stationkeeping at the predetermined station in all meteorological conditions, including meteorological conditions with wind speeds above the predetermined threshold.
Abstract:
A modular autonomous aerial passenger vehicle is provided to automatically transport any person or luggage or capable of being used by the defense organizations for monitoring without any interference or need of human pilot. The autonomous aerial vehicle is comprising of an aerodynamic main body having 4 fixed arms each and 2 foldable arms each of which further having a pair of propellers coupled at the edge of each foldable arm, one at the top and one at the bottom. Further, the autonomous aerial vehicle further includes a power management system; safety system; interior cockpit having a HMI and seating arrangement, where the HMI is a brain computer interface that acquires signals from the brain and analyses them to convert it into commands. It includes a display unit and manual control unit; primary and auxiliary battery modules, flight control unit, plurality of sensors and cameras and other safety equipment for safe functioning of the present autonomous aerial vehicle.
Abstract:
The present invention is to provide an application, a smart device, a drone, a server, a method, and a program for automatically control drone flight that improve safety and convenience. The application for automatically controlling drone flight that runs on a smart device 100 connected with a drone 200 drives a camera provided in the smart device 100, acquires an image taken by the camera, analyzes the acquired image, and controls the drone flight based on a result of the image analysis.
Abstract:
An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) including wing sections and hinge assemblies. Each wing section includes an airfoil and a propulsion unit. The wing sections are arranged side-by-side, pivotably connected by the hinge assemblies to define an airframe module. The airframe module is transitionable between a fixed-wing state and a rotor state. In the fixed-wing state, the airframe module has an elongated shape extending between opposing, first and second ends. In the rotor state, the first end is immediately proximate the second end. With this construction, the UAV provides two distinct modes of flight (fixed-wing for low power flight, and rotor for high maneuverability flight (including hover)). The wing sections can carry solar cells and a battery. A maximum power point tracker (MPPT) can be provided for optimizing the match between the solar array and the battery. The propulsion unit can include a variable pitch propeller.
Abstract:
Management of available energy among multiple drones is provided by identifying tasks to be completed by the multiple drones, and determining energy requirements of one or more drones of the multiple drones to facilitate completing one or more tasks of the tasks to be completed by the multiple drones. Further, the approach includes identifying an energy sharing approach for completion of the task(s) by the drone(s) where one or more other drones of the multiple drones transfer energy in operation to the drone(s) to facilitate completion of the task(s). In operation, the multiple drones may be detachably coupled, and the approach may include implementing the energy sharing approach by transferring energy from the other drone(s) to the drone(s) to facilitate completion of the task(s), for instance, prior to decoupling of the other drone(s) from the drone(s).
Abstract:
A system and method for enhancing distribution logistics and surveillance ranges with unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) and at least one dock in a dock network. The UAV remains in communication with the dock for enhancing distribution logistics of at least one package and increasing the range of surveillance for the unmanned aerial vehicle. From the dock, the UAV delivers the package to a destination point, obtains the package from a pick up point, recharges the unmanned aerial vehicle throughout the network of docks, and increases the range of distribution and surveillance. A logistics software controls the delivery and surveillance. A wireless communication device enables communication between the UAV and the dock. Light indicators indicate status of the package and the operational status of the UAV. A camera captures an image of the package in the dock. A motion detector detects the UAV for regulating access for loading/unloading and docking.