System and method for modular unmanned aerial system
First Claim
1. A modular unmanned aerial system (UAS) having a first and a second flight configuration, the modular UAS comprising:
- an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) parent module comprising;
a forward wing disposed on a fuselage with a first and a second distal end,a first docking mechanism disposed on the first distal end and a second docking mechanism disposed on the second distal end,a secondary wing disposed on the fuselage aft of the forward wing, anda parent flight propulsion system;
a first and second UAV child module each having a child flight propulsion system and a child docking mechanism, wherein the docking mechanism of the first UAV child module is configured to connect to the first docking mechanism of the UAV parent module, and the docking mechanism of the second UAV child module is configured to connect to the second docking mechanism of the UAV parent module, wherein the UAV child modules form an integral part of the forward wing and extend the wingspan of the forward wing; and
wherein the first flight configuration comprises connecting the UAV child modules to the UAV parent module, wherein the second flight configuration comprises separating the UAV child modules from the UAV parent module during aerial flight and the UAV child modules achieving flight independently of the UAV parent module, and wherein the UAS is capable of returning to the first flight configuration from the second flight configuration during aerial flight.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A modular Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) has first and second flight configurations, and includes an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) parent module and a plurality of UAV child modules. The parent module may have a fuselage, forward and aft wings connected to the fuselage, and a first plurality of flight propulsion devices. The child modules have a corresponding second plurality of flight propulsion devices. Each child module docks wingtip-to-wingtip with the parent module or an adjacent edge of a child module using the docking mechanisms. The child modules undock and separate from the forward wing and each other, and achieve controlled flight independently of the parent module while in the second flight configuration. A method for controlling the modular UAS is also disclosed.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A modular unmanned aerial system (UAS) having a first and a second flight configuration, the modular UAS comprising:
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an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) parent module comprising; a forward wing disposed on a fuselage with a first and a second distal end, a first docking mechanism disposed on the first distal end and a second docking mechanism disposed on the second distal end, a secondary wing disposed on the fuselage aft of the forward wing, and a parent flight propulsion system; a first and second UAV child module each having a child flight propulsion system and a child docking mechanism, wherein the docking mechanism of the first UAV child module is configured to connect to the first docking mechanism of the UAV parent module, and the docking mechanism of the second UAV child module is configured to connect to the second docking mechanism of the UAV parent module, wherein the UAV child modules form an integral part of the forward wing and extend the wingspan of the forward wing; and wherein the first flight configuration comprises connecting the UAV child modules to the UAV parent module, wherein the second flight configuration comprises separating the UAV child modules from the UAV parent module during aerial flight and the UAV child modules achieving flight independently of the UAV parent module, and wherein the UAS is capable of returning to the first flight configuration from the second flight configuration during aerial flight. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method of operating a modular unmanned aerial system (UAS) having a first and a second flight configuration during aerial flight, comprising:
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providing a modular UAS comprising; an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) parent module comprising; a forward wing disposed on a fuselage with a first and a second distal end, a first docking mechanism disposed on the first distal end and a second docking mechanism disposed on the second distal end, a secondary wing disposed on the fuselage aft of the forward wing, and a parent flight propulsion system; providing a first and second UAV child module each having a child flight propulsion system and a child docking mechanism, wherein the docking mechanism of the first UAV child module is configured to connect to the first docking mechanism of the UAV parent module, and the docking mechanism of the second UAV child module is configured to connect to the second docking mechanism of the UAV parent module, wherein the UAV child modules form an integral part of the forward wing and extend the wingspan of the forward wing; forming the first flight configuration by connecting the UAV child modules to the UAV parent module; forming the second flight configuration by separating the UAV child modules from the UAV parent module during aerial flight, wherein the UAV child modules achieve flight independent of the UAV parent module; returning to the first flight configuration from the second flight configuration during aerial flight. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A modular unmanned aerial system (UAS) having a first and a second flight configuration, the modular UAS comprising:
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an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) parent module comprising; a forward wing disposed on a fuselage with a first and a second distal end, a plurality of docking mechanisms disposed on the first and second distal ends, a secondary wing disposed on the fuselage aft of the forward wing, and a parent flight propulsion system; a plurality of UAV child modules each having a child flight propulsion system and a child docking mechanism, wherein the docking mechanisms of the plurality of UAV child modules are configured to connect to the plurality of docking mechanisms of the UAV parent module, wherein the UAV child modules form an integral part of the forward wing and extend the wingspan of the forward wing; and wherein the first flight configuration comprises connecting the UAV child modules to the UAV parent module, wherein the second flight configuration comprises separating the UAV child modules from the UAV parent module during aerial flight and the UAV child modules achieving flight independently of the UAV parent module, and wherein the UAS is capable of returning to the first flight configuration from the second flight configuration during aerial flight. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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Specification