Unmanned air vehicles and method of landing same

• US 20060006281A1
• Filed: 04/05/2005
• Published: 01/12/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 07/08/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Elbit Systems Limited
• Original Assignee: Elbit Systems Limited
• Inventors: Sirkis, Omri
• Granted Patent: US 8,123,162 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 244/100.A
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 39/024 of the remote controlled vehicle type, i.e. RPV
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 10/25 Fixed-wing aircraft VTOL aircraft B64U10/20
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 30/10 Wings
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 50/11 using internal combustion piston engines
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 50/12 using turbine engines, e.g. turbojets or turbofans
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 50/15 using combustion exhausts other than turbojets or turbofans, e.g. using rockets, ramjets, scramjets or pulse-reactors
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 50/19 using electrically powered motors
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 70/40 Landing characterised by flight manoeuvres, e.g. deep stall
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 70/60 Take-off or landing of UAVs from a runway using their own power

Abstract

There is provided an Unmanned Air Vehicle (UAV) including an engine and an airframe, including means for performing a deep stall maneouvre; at least one inflatable sleeve connected or connectable to the airframe, and means for inflating the sleeve during flight, wherein the inflated sleeve extends along the lower side of the airframe so as to protect same during deep stall landing. A method for operating an Unmanned Air Vehicle (UAV), including an engine and an airframe is also provided.

Claims

1. An Unmanned Air Vehicle (UAV) including an engine and an airframe, comprising:

means for performing a deep stall maneouvre;

at least one inflatable sleeve connected or connectable to said airframe, and means for inflating said sleeve during flight,

wherein the inflated sleeve extends along the lower side of said airframe so as to protect same during deep stall landing.

2. The UAV as claimed in claim 1, wherein said airframe is an elongated tubular body having a front end and a rear end.

3. The UAV as claimed in claim 1, wherein said sleeve, when inflated, assumes a configuration of at least one elongated tube.

4. The UAV as claimed in claim 1, wherein said sleeve, when inflated, assumes a configuration of two juxtaposed cylinders.

5. The UAV as claimed in claim 2, wherein said sleeve, when inflated, projects beyond the front end of the airframe.

6. The UAV as claimed in claim 1, wherein said means for inflating the sleeve are selected from the group of electrically operated air pumps, blowers, fans, pressurized fluid containers, explosive charges, or ram-air effect air intakes.

7. The UAV as claimed in claim 6, wherein said means for inflating the sleeve are equipped with automatic actuatable devices.

8. The UAV as claimed in claim 1, further comprising means for attaching said sleeve to the airframe.

9. The UAV as claimed in claim 1, wherein said airframe is provided with an openable hatch or door and said sleeve is retained in its deflated state, within said airframe.

10. The UAV as claimed in claim 1, wherein said means for effecting said deep stall maneouvre include a remotely operable servo-mechanism.

11. A method for operating an Unmanned Air Vehicle (UAV), including an engine and an airframe, comprising:

providing means for performing a deep stall maneouvre;

at least one inflatable sleeve connected or connectable to the airframe, said sleeve extending along at least a portion of said airframe and means for inflating said sleeve during flight, and

performing a deep stall landing of the UAV on said sleeve and inflating said sleeve.

12. The method as claimed in claim 11, further comprising the step of deflating the sleeve after landing.

13. The method as claimed in claim 12, further comprising the step of inserting said sleeve into the airframe for further use.

14. The method as claimed in claim 12, further comprising the step of detaching the sleeve from the airframe and checking the sleeve for possible damage.

15. An airframe for an Unmanned Air Vehicle (UAV), comprising:

an airframe body;

at least one inflatable sleeve;

means for connecting the sleeve to said airframe, and

means for inflating the sleeve during flight of the UAV.

16. The airframe as claimed in claim 15, wherein said means for connecting the sleeve to the airframe are disconnectable means.

17. The airframe as claimed in claim 15, wherein said airframe is an elongated tubular body having a front end and a rear end.

18. The airframe as claimed in claim 15, wherein said airframe is furnished with at least one openable hatch or door.

19. The airframe as claimed in claim 15, wherein said sleeve, in its deflated state, is disposed inside said airframe.

20. The airframe as claimed in claim 15, wherein said sleeve, when inflated, assumes a configuration of at least one elongated tube.

21. The airframe as claimed in claim 17, wherein said sleeve, when inflated, projects beyond the front end of the airframe.

22. The airframe as claimed in claim 15, wherein said means for inflating the sleeve are selected from the group of electrically operated air pumps, blowers, fans, pressurized fluid containers, explosive charges or ram-air effect air intakes.

23. The airframe as claimed in claim 15, wherein said means for inflating are equipped with automatic actuatable devices.