Sonotube deployable multicopter
First Claim
1. A sonoshell deployable multicopter (SDM), comprising:
- a plurality of rotors configured to generate propulsion for the SDM,a plurality of extension arms, wherein each extension arm supports at least one of the plurality of rotors; and
a central pivot device supporting the plurality of extension arms radially extending from the central pivot device, wherein pivotal movement of a first arm-support structure of the central pivot device relative to a second arm-support structure of the central pivot device rotates a first pair of the plurality of extension arms in unison relative to a second pair of the plurality of extension arms, wherein the pivotal movement is biased to rotate the plurality of extension arms from a compact configuration to an expanded configuration while the SDM is airborne,wherein the SDM is configured to be deployable from a sonoshell, andwherein each pair of arms in the first pair and second pair of the plurality of extension arms is axially aligned with one another in the compact configuration.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An unmanned aerial system (UAS) including a sonotube deployable multicopter (SDM) having a plurality of rotors for propulsion, a plurality of extension arms, and a central pivot device. Each extension arm supports at least one of the plurality of rotors. The central pivot device supports the plurality of extension arms radially extending from the central pivot device. Pivotal movement of a first arm-support structure of the central pivot device relative to a second arm-support structure of the central pivot device rotates a first pair of the plurality of extension arms in unison relative to a second pair of the plurality of extension arms. The pivotal movement is biased to rotate the plurality of extension arms from a compact configuration to an expanded configuration while the UAS is airborne. The SDM configured to be held inside a sonoshell in the compact configuration.
18 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A sonoshell deployable multicopter (SDM), comprising:
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a plurality of rotors configured to generate propulsion for the SDM, a plurality of extension arms, wherein each extension arm supports at least one of the plurality of rotors; and a central pivot device supporting the plurality of extension arms radially extending from the central pivot device, wherein pivotal movement of a first arm-support structure of the central pivot device relative to a second arm-support structure of the central pivot device rotates a first pair of the plurality of extension arms in unison relative to a second pair of the plurality of extension arms, wherein the pivotal movement is biased to rotate the plurality of extension arms from a compact configuration to an expanded configuration while the SDM is airborne, wherein the SDM is configured to be deployable from a sonoshell, and wherein each pair of arms in the first pair and second pair of the plurality of extension arms is axially aligned with one another in the compact configuration. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. An unmanned aerial system (UAS), comprising:
a sonoshell configured to be deployed from an airborne vehicle, wherein the sonoshell is configured with a hollow inner chamber for holding therein a sonoshell deployable multicopter (SDM) in a compact configuration, wherein the SDM is biased to expand from the compact configuration to an expanded configuration once released from the sonoshell while airborne, wherein the sonoshell includes a release mechanism contained therein, wherein the release mechanism includes a chute latch and an SDM latch for controlling a release separately of each of a parachute and the SDM from the sonoshell. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9)
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10. An unmanned aerial system (UAS), comprising:
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a sonoshell configured to be deployed from an airborne vehicle; and a sonoshell deployable multicopter (SDM) configured to be held within and deployed from the sonoshell, the SDM including a plurality of rotors to generate propulsion for the SDM, a plurality of extension arms supporting the plurality of rotors, and a central pivot device fixed to the plurality of extension arms, wherein the central pivot device is configured and biased to pivot the plurality of extension arms from a compact configuration to an expanded configuration once the SDM is deployed from the sonoshell while airborne, wherein each pair of arms in a first pair and a second pair, respectively, of the plurality of extension arms is axially aligned with one another in the compact configuration. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method of deploying a sonotube deployable multicopter (SDM), comprising:
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deploying a parachute from a sonoshell encasing the SDM, wherein the SDM includes a first pair of extension arms supporting a first pair of rotors and a second pair of extension arms supporting a second pair of rotors, wherein the first pair of extension arms are configured and biased to pivot in unison relative to the second pair of extension arms from a compact configuration to an expanded configuration, wherein while disposed within the sonoshell the first and second pair of extension arms are held in the compact configuration; and opening an aerial vehicle latch of a release mechanism within the sonoshell, wherein opening the aerial vehicle latch allows the SDM to separate from the sonoshell with the parachute still tethered to the sonoshell, wherein separation from the sonoshell releases the first and second pair of extension arms to pivot into the expanded configuration. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification