US 12,330,783 B1 · Weathervaning for hybrid flight aircraft

Abstract

Described are systems and methods for active weathervaning of a hybrid flight aerial vehicle, such as an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). Active weathervaning of the hybrid flight aerial vehicle during can be provided during vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL)/hover flight without the assistance of any low-speed wind sensors and during transitions between VTOL/hover flight and fixed-wing, wing-borne, horizontal flight. Additionally, active weathervaning can be provided during propulsion mechanism failure conditions where the aerial vehicle may be experiencing failure conditions associated with one or more propulsion mechanisms.

Claims20

Dependent claims

An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), comprising:

a plurality of propulsion mechanisms;
and
a flight controller configured to, during hover flight of the UAV, at least:
identify a failure condition associated with at least one propulsion mechanism from the plurality of propulsion mechanisms;
determine, based at least in part on the failure condition, a preferred orientation of the UAV for the identified failure condition relative to a wind direction of a wind;
determine, without assistance from a wind sensor and based at least in part on feedback flight control information, an estimated wind direction, wherein the feedback flight control information includes flight control parameters used to counteract forces imparted by the wind on the UAV;
and
generate, based at least in part on the estimated wind direction, a command to orient a heading of the UAV to align with the preferred orientation of the UAV relative to the estimated wind direction.

5 more elements

A method to provide active weathervaning for an aerial vehicle, comprising:

during hover flight of the aerial vehicle:
obtaining flight control information from at least one horizontal flight controller;
determining, without assistance from a wind sensor and based at least in part on the flight control information, an estimated wind direction of a wind, wherein the flight control information includes flight control parameters used to counteract forces imparted by the wind on the aerial vehicle;
determining a preferred orientation of the aerial vehicle relative to the estimated wind direction;
and
causing the aerial vehicle to adjust its heading so as to align the aerial vehicle with the preferred orientation of the aerial vehicle relative to the estimated wind direction.

3 more elements

A method to provide active weathervaning for an aerial vehicle, comprising:

during hover flight:
obtaining flight control information from at least one horizontal flight controller, where in the flight control information includes flight control parameters used to counteract forces imparted by a wind on the aerial vehicle;
determining, without assistance from a wind sensor and based at least in part on the flight control information, an estimated wind;
determining a preferred orientation of the aerial vehicle relative to the estimated wind;
obtaining an instruction to transition from hover flight to horizontal flight;
latching the estimated wind during a transition from hover flight to horizontal flight;
determining a transition heading based at least in part on the latched estimated wind, the preferred orientation of the aerial vehicle, and a ground speed of the aerial vehicle;
causing the aerial vehicle to be oriented according to the transition heading;
updating the transition heading to generate a second transition heading based on a change to the ground speed of the aerial vehicle;
causing the aerial vehicle to be oriented according to the second transition heading;
and
unlatching the estimated wind as the aerial vehicle begins horizontal flight.

9 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Weathervaning for hybrid flight aircraft

Life of this patent

Weathervaning for hybrid flight aircraft

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20