Ducted Fan Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Conformal Antenna

• US 20100328169A1
• Filed: 11/07/2008
• Published: 12/30/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 11/07/2008
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
• Original Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
• Inventors: Helsing, Joseph Scott JR., Collette, Daniel Ross
• Application Number:
  US12/267,246
• Publication Number:
  US 20100328169A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 343/705
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 1/36 adapted to receive antennas or radomes
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 11/001 Shrouded propellers
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 27/20 Rotorcraft characterised by having shrouded rotors, e.g. flying platforms
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 10/13 Flying platforms
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 30/20 Rotors; Rotor supports
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 30/26 Ducted or shrouded rotors
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 50/12 using turbine engines, e.g. turbojets or turbofans
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 50/14 ducted or shrouded
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 80/70 in containers B64U80/60 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/286 substantially flush mounted with the skin of the craft

Abstract

A conformal antenna for an unmanned aerial vehicle is provided that may be applied to a surface of the vehicle. The conformal antenna may be integrated with a surface on the vehicle, and is used to effectively transmit and receive video, command and/or control signals. The conformal antenna allows for the transmission and reception of signals from any direction, and may work with signals greater than a quarter wavelength. A protective layer may be placed over the conformal antenna.

Claims

1. A ducted fan comprising:

a frame;

a first surface on the frame; and

at least one conformal antenna, wherein the at least one conformal antenna is integrated on at least a portion of the first surface on the frame.

2. The ducted fan of claim 1, further comprising an engine.

3. The ducted fan of claim 1, wherein the first surface is formed using a mold.

4. The ducted fan of claim 3, wherein the at least one conformal antenna is integrated into the mold prior to forming the first surface.

5. The ducted fan of claim 1, wherein the conformal antenna is applied to a finished duct surface.

6. The ducted fan of claim 5, further comprising a protective layer overlaying the first surface of the conformal antenna.

7. The ducted fan of claim 1, wherein the first surface comprises substantially the entire exterior surface of the ducted fan.

8. The ducted fan of claim 1, wherein the conformal antenna provides a radiation pattern for the reception of command signals.

9. The ducted fan of claim 1, wherein the conformal antenna provides a radiation pattern for the reception of control signals.

10. The vehicle of claim 1, further comprising a second surface, wherein a conformal antenna of the at least one conformal antenna is integrated on at least a portion of the second surface.

11. An unmanned aerial vehicle, comprising:

a ducted fan, wherein the ducted fan comprises a plurality of surfaces that form the exterior of the ducted fan; and

at least one conformal antenna on a surface of the plurality of surfaces.

12. The vehicle of claim 11, further comprising an engine and a gearbox.

13. The vehicle of claim 11, wherein the at least one conformal antenna is integrated with a surface of the plurality of surfaces.

14. The vehicle of claim 13, wherein the at least one conformal antenna is integrated with the surface by being formed with the surface in a mold.

15. The vehicle of claim 11, wherein the at least one conformal antenna is attached to the surface after the surface has been formed.

16. The vehicle of claim 15, further comprising an epoxy layer applied over the conformal antenna.

17. The vehicle of claim 11, wherein the at least one conformal antenna is a plurality of conformal antennas.

18. The vehicle of claim 11, wherein the conformal antenna provides a radiation pattern for receiving command and control signals.

19. The vehicle of claim 11, wherein each of the at least one conformal antenna comprises a dipole shape.

20. A conformal antenna for use with an unmanned aerial vehicle having a generally cylindrical shape, comprising:

a first layer, wherein the first layer comprises a flexible substrate, wherein the flexible substrate is a conductive metal;

a second layer, wherein the second layer is an adhesive;

wherein the second layer of the conformal antenna is placed on a surface of the ducted fan of the unmanned aerial vehicle, attaching the conformal antenna to the surface.