Gas sensing for fixed wing drones using scoops

A method for increasing air flow to a gas sensor of a fixed wing having a central fuselage and a plurality of wings, comprising:

• arranging the gas sensor within an air channel embedded inside the fuselage or at least one of the plurality of wings, the air channel having an upstream air inlet;
• mounting an adjustable air scoop adjacent to the air inlet;
• biasing the air scoop in and open position;
• and
• providing a drag flap exposed to the air flow provided during forward flight of the drone, the drag flap being coupled to the air scoop and configured to force the air scoop toward a closed position against the biasing force in response to an air flow above a prescribed magnitude,
• wherein the air scoop is adjustable to be selectively positioned to capture air flow during forward flight of the drone to direct air flow into the air channel and toward the gas sensor.

A flying wing drone, comprising:

• a tailless aircraft body comprising a wing and having an outer surface;
• an air channel embedded within the aircraft body, the air channel having upstream an air inlet;
• a microcontroller mounted within the aircraft body and configured to control navigation of the drone;
• an air scoop having a section positioned adjacent the inlet to the air channel, the air scoop being adjustable between a first position to capture and divert air into the inlet and thereby to the air channel and a second position to block air flow into the air inlet;
• and
• a gas sensor positioned within the air channel;
• wherein the air scoop is positioned to divert air flow into the air channel and to the gas sensor during forward flight of the flying wing drone, and
• wherein the microcontroller controls the position of the air scoop via an actuator to optimize air flow into the air channel and to the gas sensor.

A method for increasing air flow to a gas sensor of a tailless aircraft drone comprising a wing and having an outer surface, comprising:

• arranging the gas sensor within an air channel embedded inside the drone, the air channel having an upstream air inlet;
• and
• mounting an adjustable air scoop adjacent to the air inlet;
• and
• biasing the air scoop in and open position;
• and
• providing a drag flap exposed to the air flow provided during forward flight of the drone, the drag flap being coupled to the air scoop and configured to force the air scoop toward a closed position against the biasing force in response to an air flow above a prescribed magnitude,
• wherein the air scoop is adjustable to be selectively positioned to capture air flow during forward flight of the drone to direct air flow into the air channel and toward the gas sensor.