Unmanned inflatable aircraft

• US 10,501,164 B2
• Filed: 02/02/2016
• Issued: 12/10/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 02/02/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: James Schalla
• Original Assignee: James Schalla
• Inventors: Schalla, James
• Primary Examiner(s): Wang, Michael H
• Application Number:
  US15/013,644
• Publication Number:
  US 20170217562A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,407 Days
• Field of Search: 24412311
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 27/12 Helicopters A63H27/04 takes precedence; Flying tops
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 29/18 Driving mechanisms with extensible rubber bands
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 1/34 comprising inflatable structural components
• 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 10/30 Lighter-than-air aircraft, e.g. aerostatic aircraft
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 20/50 Foldable or collapsible UAVs with frangible components B64U20/30
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 30/20 Rotors; Rotor supports
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 50/19 using electrically powered motors

Abstract

In one embodiment, an unmanned aircraft comprises a housing, an inflatable fuselage, three motors, and three propellers. The housing may comprise an enclosure configured to house one or more electrical components. The inflatable fuselage may comprise a first, a second and a third spindle each extending from the housing. The first motor may be coupled to a first propeller and mounted to the first spindle. The second motor may be coupled to a second propeller and mounted to the second spindle. The third motor may be coupled to a third propeller and mounted to the third spindle.

Claims

1. An unmanned aircraft, comprising:

a fuselage comprising;

a first, a second, and a third inflatable spindle configured to extend outward from a central hub when inflated, wherein each of the spindles includes;

a proximal end attached to the central hub; and

a distal end extending outward from the central hub;

a housing surrounding the central hub, the housing comprising;

an enclosure configured to house one or more electrical components;

a first, a second, and a third port formed in the housing;

wherein the first port is formed in the housing such that when inflated, the first spindle extends out from the first port;

wherein the second port is formed in the housing such that when inflated, the second spindle extends out from the second port; and

wherein the third port is formed in the housing such that when inflated, the third spindle extends out from the third port;

a first mounting bracket attached to the distal end of the first spindle, the first mounting bracket comprising;

a first motor attachment platform; and

a first clamping mechanism configured to clamp to the distal end of the first spindle, thereby attaching the first mounting bracket to the first spindle;

a second mounting bracket attached to the distal end of the second spindle; and

a third mounting bracket attached to the distal end of the third spindle;

a first motor coupled to a first propeller and mounted to the first mounting bracket;

a second motor coupled to a second propeller and mounted to the second mounting bracket;

a third motor coupled to a third propeller and mounted to the third mounting bracket.

2. The unmanned aircraft of claim 1, wherein the inflatable fuselage comprises at least a fourth spindle configured to extend, when inflated, outward from the central hub.

3. The unmanned aircraft of claim 2, comprising:

a fourth mounting bracket attached to the distal end of the fourth spindle; and

a fourth motor coupled to a fourth propeller and mounted to the fourth mounting bracket.

4. The unmanned aircraft of claim 1, wherein the first, second and third spindles contain a compressed gas at a pressure of 10 to 150 psig.

5. The unmanned aircraft of claim 4, wherein the pressure of the compressed gas is 15 to 100 psig.

6. The unmanned aircraft of claim 4, wherein the pressure of the compressed gas is 20 to 60 psig.

7. The unmanned aircraft of claim 4, wherein the pressure of the compressed gas is 25 to 50 psig.

8. The unmanned aircraft of claim 1, wherein the enclosure houses:

a battery, a flight controller, a radio receiver and speed controllers for each of the motors.

9. The unmanned aircraft of claim 1, wherein the fuselage is comprised of a top sheet and a bottom sheet;

and wherein a perimeter of the top sheet is joined to a perimeter of the bottom sheet, thereby forming a protruding seam on the inflatable fuselage.

10. The unmanned aircraft of claim 9, wherein the first clamping mechanism is configured to clasp the protruding seam.

11. The unmanned aircraft of claim 9, wherein the perimeter of the top sheet is folded back on itself and joined to the perimeter of the bottom sheet, thereby forming a conduit.

12. The unmanned aircraft of claim 1, wherein the first port is configured to house the first mounting bracket when the first spindle is in a deflated condition.