FLYING APPARATUS

• US 20100243794A1
• Filed: 05/29/2009
• Published: 09/30/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 03/24/2009
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Alien Technology Corporation
• Original Assignee: Alien Technology Corporation
• Inventors: JERMYN, PHILLIP MATTHEW
• Application Number:
  US12/475,048
• Publication Number:
  US 20100243794A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 244/17.230
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 27/12 Helicopters A63H27/04 takes precedence; Flying tops
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 39/024 of the remote controlled vehicle type, i.e. RPV
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 39/028 Micro-sized aircraft
• 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 30/20 Rotors; Rotor supports
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 30/29 Constructional aspects of rotors or rotor supports; Arrangements thereof

Abstract

Flying apparatus is provided including a housing with two or more rotor means associated therewith. The rotor means are arranged to rotate about substantially parallel axes in use. One or more vanes are provided with said apparatus to help stabilize the apparatus in use.

Claims

1. Flying apparatus, said apparatus including

a housing with two or more rotor means associated therewith,

said rotor means arranged to rotate about substantially parallel axes in use and wherein one or more vanes are provided with said apparatus to help stabilize the apparatus in use.

2. Flying apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the two or more rotor means are located substantially equal spaced distances apart and are arranged so as to balance the apparatus in use.

3. Flying apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the two or more rotor means are located a pre-determined radial distance from a central body or point of said apparatus.

4. Flying apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the two or more rotor means are located on or associated with a frame of said apparatus.

5. Flying apparatus according to claim 4 wherein each of the two or more rotor means are located at or adjacent a peripheral edge or corner of said frame.

6. Flying apparatus according to claim 4 wherein the frame is in the form of a cruciform shape when viewed in plan.

7. Flying apparatus according to claim 4 wherein the frame is in the form of a square shape when viewed in plan.

8. Flying apparatus according to claim 1 wherein four rotor means are provided.

9. Flying apparatus according to claim 1 wherein each rotor means is rotatable about a substantially vertical axis in use.

10. Flying apparatus according to claim 1 wherein each rotor means includes two or more rotor blades rotatable about substantially parallel axes.

11. Flying apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the one or more vanes are provided above the rotor means of the apparatus.

12. Flying apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the number of vanes equals the number of rotor means on the apparatus.

13. Flying apparatus according to claim 4 wherein the vanes are orientated substantially parallel to the frame members of the frame associated with each of the rotor means.

14. Flying apparatus according to claim 1 wherein each vane is substantially flat or in a sheet like form.

15. Flying apparatus according to claim 1 wherein each vane has a first end joined to or adjacent a first end of a further vane, and a second end.

16. Flying apparatus according to claim 15 wherein the first ends of the vanes are located at or adjacent a substantially central axis of the apparatus and protrude outwardly or radially therefrom.

17. Flying apparatus according to claim 1 wherein each vane spans substantially the entire diameter of the apparatus or frame.

18. Flying apparatus according to claim 1 wherein a plurality of vanes are provided and the vanes are arranged substantially equal distances apart.

19. Flying apparatus according to claim 1 wherein two or more vanes are provided and are slotted together in a cruciform arrangement.

20. Flying apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the one or more vanes are attached or detachably attached to the apparatus, or a frame or housing via attachment means.

21. Flying apparatus according to claim 20 wherein the attachment means include any or any combination of one or more clips, slots, hook and loop fastening, screws, inter-engaging means, adhesive, welding, or friction fit.

22. Flying apparatus according to claim 1 wherein control means are contained in or associated with the housing, frame or apparatus for controlling each rotor means independently to the other rotor means.

23. Flying apparatus according to claim 22 wherein the control means includes one or more motion sensors capable of detecting pitch, roll and/or yaw of the apparatus.

24. Flying apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the apparatus is controlled remotely via remote control means.

25. Flying apparatus according to claim 1 wherein one or more support feet are provided on or associated with a base of the apparatus, housing or frame to support the apparatus when on a surface.

26. Flying apparatus according to claim 1 wherein one or more wheels, rollers or movement means are provided at or adjacent a base of the apparatus, housing or frame to allow the apparatus to be moved across a surface.

27. Flying apparatus according to claim 1 wherein drive means are provided to allow driving of the rotation of the rotor means in use.

28. Flying apparatus according to claim 1 wherein power means are provided to allow powering of the drive means.

29. Flying apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the apparatus is in the form of a quadrotor.

30. A method of using flying apparatus, said apparatus including

a housing with two or more rotor means associated therewith,

said method including the step of rotating said rotor means about substantially parallel axes and wherein one or more vanes are provided with said apparatus to help stabilize the apparatus in use.