Remotely controlled modular VTOL aircraft and re-configurable system using same
AssigneeTransition Robotics, Inc.
InventorsJeffrey Kyle Gibboney, Pranay Sinha
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A manned/unmanned aerial vehicle adapted for vertical takeoff and landing using the same set of engines for takeoff and landing as well as for forward flight. An aerial vehicle which is adapted to takeoff with the wings in a vertical as opposed to horizontal flight attitude which takes off in this vertical attitude and then transitions to a horizontal flight path. An aerial vehicle system which has removable wing sections which allow for re-configuration with different wing section types, allowing for configurations adapted for a particular flight profile. A method of customizing a configuration of an unmanned aerial vehicle based upon flight profile factors such as duration, stability, and maneuverability.
Claims18
An unmanned aerial vehicle, said unmanned aerial vehicle comprising:
- an aerodynamic central body pylon, said aerodynamic central body pylon comprising an upper end and a lower end;
- a right upper wing, said right upper wing coupled to said upper end of said aerodynamic central body pylon, said right upper wing comprising two thrust producing elements;
- a left upper wing, said left upper wing coupled to said upper end of said aerodynamic central body pylon, said left upper wing comprising two thrust producing elements;
- a right lower wing, said right lower wing coupled to said lower end of said aerodynamic central body pylon, said right lower wing comprising two thrust producing elements;
- and
- a left lower wing, said left lower wing coupled to said lower end of said aerodynamic central body pylon, said left lower wing comprising two thrust producing elements.
An unmanned aerial vehicle, said unmanned aerial vehicle comprising:
- an aerodynamic central body pylon, said aerodynamic central body portion comprising an upper end and a lower end;
- a removably attached right upper wing, said removably attached right upper wing coupled to said upper end of said aerodynamic central body pylon, said removably attached right upper wing comprising one or more thrust producing elements;
- a removably attached left upper wing, said removably attached left upper wing coupled to said upper end of said aerodynamic central body pylon, said removably attached left upper wing comprising one or more thrust producing elements;
- a removably attached right lower wing, said removably attached right lower wing coupled to said lower end of said aerodynamic central body pylon, said removably attached right lower wing comprising one or more thrust producing elements;
- and
- a removably attached left lower wing, said removably attached left lower wing coupled to said lower end of said aerodynamic central body pylon, said removably attached left lower wing comprising one or more thrust producing elements.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.