METHOD FOR VERTICAL TAKEOFF FROM AND LANDING ON INCLINED SURFACES
First Claim
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1. A method for vertical takeoff of an unmanned air vehicle (UAV) from an inclined surface, the method comprising:
- receiving a command to launch;
determining an attitude orientation of the UAV;
orienting vanes of the UAV to counteract gravity;
increasing thrust to release landing gear of the UAV from the inclined surface; and
ascending the UAV substantially perpendicular from the inclined surface.
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Abstract
Takeoff and landing modes are added to a flight control system of a Vertical Take-Off and Landing (VTOL) Unmanned Air Vehicle (UAV). The takeoff and landing modes use data available to the flight control system and the VTOL UAV'"'"'s existing control surfaces and throttle control. As a result, the VTOL UAV can takeoff from and land on inclined surfaces without the use of landing gear mechanisms designed to level the UAV on the inclined surfaces.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. A method for vertical takeoff of an unmanned air vehicle (UAV) from an inclined surface, the method comprising:
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receiving a command to launch; determining an attitude orientation of the UAV; orienting vanes of the UAV to counteract gravity; increasing thrust to release landing gear of the UAV from the inclined surface; and ascending the UAV substantially perpendicular from the inclined surface. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. An unmanned air vehicle (UAV) comprising:
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a duct; a fan configured to draw air through the duct to generate thrust; vanes; landing gear; and a flight control system that is configured to control the UAV to take off from an inclined surface by at least determining an attitude orientation of the UAV, orienting the vanes to counteract gravity, and controlling the fan to increase thrust, wherein when the landing gear is on an inclined surface, the thrust releases landing gear of the UAV from the inclined surface and ascends the UAV substantially perpendicular from the inclined surface. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method for vertical takeoff from and landing on an inclined surface, the method comprising:
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in a takeoff mode of a flight control system of an unmanned air vehicle (UAV), adjusting at least one vane and a thrust of the UAV so as to initially ascend the UAV substantially perpendicular to the inclined surface; and in a landing mode in the flight control system of the UAV, adjusting the at least one vane and the thrust of the UAV upon detecting that the UAV has contacted the inclined surface at a contact point so as to rotate the UAV about the contact point until the UAV has landed. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19)
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Specification