Accessory mounting for rotary wing aircraft

• US 10,099,783 B1
• Filed: 08/10/2015
• Issued: 10/16/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 08/11/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lumenier Holdco LLC
• Original Assignee: FPV Manuals, LLC
• Inventors: Nilson, Tim
• Primary Examiner(s): Woldemaryam, Assres H
• Application Number:
  US14/822,480
• Time in Patent Office: 1,163 Days
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 17/02 by gravity or inertia-actuated apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 39/024 of the remote controlled vehicle type, i.e. RPV
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 10/13 Flying platforms
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 10/14 with four distinct rotor axes, e.g. quadcopters
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 20/70 Constructional aspects of the UAV body
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 20/87 Mounting of imaging devices, e.g. mounting of gimbals
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 2101/30 for imaging, photography or videography
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 2201/20 Remote controls
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 30/20 Rotors; Rotor supports
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 50/19 using electrically powered motors

Abstract

An improved accessory mounting is disclosed for a rotary wing aircraft comprising a frame supporting a plurality of driven propellers. A transceiver is connected to a electronic flight control for directing the flight of the rotary wing aircraft. An accessory frame receives an accessory load to be carried by the rotary wing aircraft. A battery is disposed on the frame for powering the transceiver. A quick change mounting removably mounts the accessory frame to the frame. Preferably, the battery is movable relative to the frame for compensating for different weights of the accessory load secured to the accessory frame to adjust the center of mass for proper flight of the rotary wing aircraft. An integral balance included for adjusting the center of mass assisting of the rotary wing aircraft.

Claims

1. An improved accessory mounting for a rotary wing aircraft, comprising:

a frame including a power frame and a carrier frame interconnected in a substantially parallel relationship;

said power frame extending between a first and a second power frame end;

said carrier frame extending between a first and a second carrier frame end;

a plurality of driven propellers connected to said power frame;

an electronic flight control for controlling said plurality of driven propellers for directing the flight of the rotary wing aircraft;

an accessory frame for receiving an accessory load to be carried by the rotary wing aircraft;

a quick change mounting for removably mounting said accessory frame to said first end of said carrier frame;

a battery disposed in proximity to said second end of said power frame and said second end of said carrier frame for powering the rotary wing aircraft;

said battery being movable relative to said second end of said power frame and said second end of said carrier frame between said power frame and said carrier frame for compensating for different weights of said accessory load secured to said accessory frame; and

a fix for securing said battery to said frame.

2. The improved accessory mounting for a rotary wing aircraft as set forth in claim 1, wherein said carrier frame includes a carrier frame lower element and a carrier frame upper element;

and

said quick change mounting includes a first and a second mounting for removably securing said accessory frame to said carrier frame lower element and said carrier frame upper element.

3. The improved accessory mounting for a rotary wing aircraft as set forth in claim 1, wherein said carrier frame includes a carrier frame lower element and a carrier frame upper element;

said quick change mounting includes a first and a second mounting for removably securing said accessory frame to said carrier frame lower element and said carrier frame upper element of said frame;

said first mounting including a projection extending from said accessory frame for insertion into an aperture defined into said carrier frame lower element; and

said second mounting including a tab extending from said accessory frame for securing to said carrier frame upper element by a fastener.

4. The improved accessory mounting for a rotary wing aircraft as set forth in claim 1, wherein said carrier frame includes a carrier frame lower element and a carrier frame upper element;

a plurality of supports interconnecting said carrier frame lower element and said carrier frame upper element and secured by fasteners;

said first mounting including a projection extending from said accessory frame for insertion into an aperture defined into said carrier frame lower element; and

said second mounting including a tab extending from said accessory frame for securing to said carrier frame upper element by a tab fasteners.

5. The improved accessory mounting for a rotary wing aircraft as set forth in claim 1, wherein said accessory load comprises a sensor for sensing regions about the rotary wing aircraft.

6. The improved accessory mounting for a rotary wing aircraft as set forth in claim 1, wherein said accessory load comprises a sensor for sensing regions about the rotary wing aircraft;

and

said sensor may including at least one of an optical sensor, a video sensor, an electromagnetic radiation sensor, a magnetic sensor, a heat sensor, a chemical sensor, a gas sensor, a particulate sensor, audio sensors and motion sensors.

7. The improved accessory mounting for a rotary wing aircraft, comprising:

a frame;

a plurality of driven propellers connected to said frame;

an electronic flight control for controlling said plurality of driven propellers for directing the flight of the rotary wing aircraft;

an accessory frame located proximate a first end of said frame for receiving an accessory load to be carried by the rotary wing aircraft;

a battery disposed proximate a second end of said frame for powering the rotary wing aircraft;

a quick change mounting for removably mounting said accessory frame to said frame;

said battery being movable relative to said second end of said frame for compensating for different weights of said accessory load secured to said accessory frame;

a strap for securing said battery to said frame;

said quick change mounting includes a first and a second mounting for removably securing said accessory frame to a frame lower element and a frame upper element of said frame;

said first mounting including a projection engaging with an aperture between said accessory frame and said frame lower element; and

said second mounting including a tab engaging with a fastener between said accessory frame and said frame upper element.

8. An improved frame for a rotary wing aircraft, comprising:

a power frame;

a plurality of arms extending from said power frame for mounting a plurality of driven propeller;

a carrier frame having a carrier frame lower element and a carrier frame upper element;

a plurality of resilient couplings connecting said carrier frame to said power frame with said plurality of resilient couplings inhibiting transmission of vibrations from said power frame to said carrier frame;

an electronic flight control for controlling said plurality of driven propellers of the rotary wing aircraft for directing the flight of the rotary wing aircraft;

an accessory frame for receiving an accessory load to be carried by the rotary wing aircraft;

a quick change mounting comprising a first and a second mounting for removably securing said accessory frame to a first end of said carrier frame lower element and a first end of said carrier frame upper element;

a battery disposed in proximity to a second end of said carrier frame for powering the rotary wing aircraft;

said battery being movable between said power frame and said carrier frame relative to said second end of said carrier frame for compensating for different weights of said accessory load secured to said accessory frame; and

a fix for securing said battery to said power frame.

9. An improved accessory mounting for a rotary wing aircraft, comprising:

a frame including a power frame and a carrier frame interconnected in a substantially parallel relationship;

a plurality of driven propellers connected to said power frame;

an electronic flight control for controlling said plurality of driven propellers for directing the flight of the rotary wing aircraft;

an accessory frame located in proximity to a first end of said carrier frame for receiving an accessory load to be carried by the rotary wing aircraft;

a battery disposed in proximity to a second end of said carrier frame for powering the rotary wing aircraft; and

said battery being slidable between said power frame and said carrier frame relative to said second end of said carrier frame for compensating for different weights of said accessory load secured to said accessory frame.