Unmanned vehicle

• US 20070252035A1
• Filed: 11/28/2006
• Published: 11/01/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 11/29/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: James Hubbard
• Original Assignee: James Hubbard
• Inventors: Hubbard, James
• Application Number:
  US11/604,995
• Publication Number:
  US 20070252035A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 244/75.100
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 13/16 actuated automatically, e.g. responsive to gust detectors
• 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 10/80 UAVs characterised by their small size, e.g. micro air vehicles [MAV]
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 20/65 Composite materials
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 2201/10 autonomous, i.e. by navigating independently from ground or air stations, e.g. by using inertial navigation systems [INS]
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 30/10 Wings
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 50/10 Propulsion rotors specially adapted for rotorcraft or VTOL B64U30/20
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 50/31 generated by photovoltaics
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 17/95 for meteorological use
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/105 specially adapted for unpowered flight, e.g. glider, parachuting, forced landing parachutes per se B64D17/00
• CPC Class Codes: Y02A 90/10 Information and communication technologies [ICT] supporting adaptation to climate change, e.g. for weather forecasting or climate simulation

Abstract

A UAV or watercraft includes a navigation system that is configured to identify and make use of convective energy in a fluid medium through which it travels. The energy is used to provide movement through the medium and extend vehicle endurance or range without the need for additional fuel. In particular, the vehicle includes one or more sensors that are adapted to detecting such energy sources, and a controller that allows the vehicle to autonomously exploit them for energy gain while conducting a useful mission. In particular implementations, the vehicle may also include sensors and a feedback loop for adjusting lift profile of airfoils or hydrofoils to improve lift efficiency.

Claims

1. A control system for an unmanned vehicle comprising:

a sensor, constructed and arranged to identify a region of convective energy located at a distance from the unmanned vehicle; and

a controller, configured to receive information from the sensor and to produce control signals to control elements of the unmanned vehicle so that the identified energy can be used by the unmanned vehicle in an operation.

2. A control system as recited in claim 1, wherein the sensor comprises one or more sensors selected from the group consisting of:

a LIDAR, an infrared camera, an optical wavefront sensor, a daylight camera, a low light camera, and an image pattern recognition system.

3. A control system as recited in claim 1, wherein the convective energy identified comprises a thermal.

4. A control system as recited in claim 1, wherein the control elements comprise a motor.

5. A control system as recited in claim 1, wherein the control elements comprise control surfaces of the unmanned vehicle.

6. A control system as recited in claim 5, wherein the vehicle is an aerial vehicle and the control surfaces comprise wing surfaces.

7. A control system as recited in claim 6, wherein the wing surfaces comprise a plurality of trailing-edge flaps having associated actuators.

8. A control system as recited in claim 6, wherein the vehicle is an aerial vehicle and the control surfaces comprise tail surfaces.

9. A control system as recited in claim 6, wherein the vehicle is a watercraft and the sensor comprises one or more sensors selected from the group consisting of sonar, infrared detector, temperature sensor, and acoustic sensor.

10. A control system as recited in claim 9, wherein the vehicle is a watercraft and the control surfaces comprise hydrofoil surfaces.

11. A control system as recited in claim 1, wherein the region of convective energy comprises a thermal and the controller is configured to control the unmanned vehicle such that it travels through a central region of the thermal.

12. A control system as recited in claim 1, wherein the region of convective energy comprises a thermal and the controller is configured to control the unmanned vehicle such that it travels along a spiral path through a region of the thermal.

13. A control system as recited in claim 1, wherein the unmanned vehicle comprises an aerial vehicle having a wing and further comprising:

a lift sensor located at a surface of the wing;

a drag sensor located at a surface of the wing; and

wherein the controller is further configured to receive information from the lift and drag sensors and to use the received information to produce control signals to control adjustable aerodynamic surfaces of the wing such that a drag induced by the wing of the unmanned aerial vehicle is reduced.

14. A control system as recited in claim 13, wherein the controller is configured to produce the control signals such that induced drag is minimized.

15. A control system as recited in claim 13, wherein the controller is configured to produce the control signals such that induced drag approximates the induced drag of an elliptic wing.

16. A control system as recited in claim 13, wherein the controller is configured to produce the control signals such that the wing produces a maximum lift to drag ratio.

17. A control system as recited in claim 13, wherein the controller is configured to produce the control signals such that the wing produces an extended range and endurance.

18. A control system as recited in claim 13, wherein the controller is configured to produce the control signals such that the wing produces an increased on station persistence.

19. A control system as recited in claim 13, wherein the aerodynamic surfaces comprise a plurality of flap segments movably positioned at a trailing edge of the wing.

20. A control system as recited in claim 13, wherein the lift and drag sensors comprise electroactive pressure sensors.

21. A control system as recited in claim 20, wherein the electroactive pressure sensors are configured as weighted spatial aperture sensors.

22. A control system for an unmanned aerial vehicle having a wing, comprising:

a lift sensor located on the wing;

a drag sensor located on the wing; and

a controller configured to receive information from the lift and drag sensors and to use the received information to produce control signals to control aerodynamic surfaces of the unmanned aerial vehicle such that a drag induced by the wing of the unmanned aerial vehicle is reduced.

23. A method for controlling an unmanned aerial vehicle comprising:

measuring a lift force on a wing of the unmanned aerial vehicle;

measuring a drag force on the wing; and

using the measured lift and drag to control aerodynamic surfaces of the wing such that a drag induced by the wing is reduced.

24. A method as in claim 23, further comprising:

detecting atmospheric energy; and

controlling the vehicle such that a portion of the detected energy is used to provide lift to the vehicle.

25. A method for controlling an unmanned aerial vehicle comprising:

detecting a region of convective atmospheric energy located at a distance from the unmanned vehicle; and

autonomously controlling the vehicle such that a portion of the detected energy is used to provide lift to the vehicle.