AIRFRAME

• US 20130105628A1
• Filed: 11/01/2011
• Published: 05/02/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 11/01/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Vanguard Defense Industries, LLC
• Original Assignee: Vanguard Defense International LLC
• Inventors: Buscher, Michael Sean, Kulesza, Henry E.
• Granted Patent: US 8,905,351 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 244/119
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 39/024 of the remote controlled vehicle type, i.e. RPV
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 47/08 Arrangements of cameras
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 10/10 Rotorcrafts
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 10/17 Helicopters flying platforms B64U10/13
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 20/65 Composite materials
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 20/87 Mounting of imaging devices, e.g. mounting of gimbals
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 2101/30 for imaging, photography or videography
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 2101/31 for surveillance
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 30/20 Rotors; Rotor supports
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 60/50 with landing legs

Abstract

Airframe systems are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, an airframe system includes a first side wall and a second side wall. The airframe system further includes a drive train platform configured to carry an aircraft drive train and to attach the first side wall parallel to the second side wall. The airframe system additionally includes a first structural rod configured to attach the first side wall parallel to the second side wall, and a second structural rod positioned aft of the first structural rod and configured to attach the first side wall to parallel to the second side wall. The first and second structural rods are configured to carry a camera mount.

Claims

1. An airframe system comprising:

a first side wall;

a second side wall;

a drive train platform configured to carry an aircraft drive train and to attach the first side wall parallel to the second side wall;

a first structural rod configured to attach the first side wall generally parallel to the second side wall; and

a second structural rod positioned aft of the first structural rod and configured to attach the first side wall generally parallel to the second side wall, wherein the first and second structural rods are configured to carry a camera mount.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the first and the second structural rods are configured to provide rigidity to a forward section of the airframe system.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the drive train platform is configured to provide rigidity to an aft section of the airframe system.

4. The system of claim 1, comprising a support member disposed in a middle section of the airframe system between the second structural rod and the drive train platform, wherein the support member is configured to provide rigidity to a middle section of the airframe system.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the airframe system comprises only the support member, the first and second side walls, the first and second structural rods, and the drive train platform.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the first and the second side walls comprise a length of between 24 inches and 52 inches, and wherein the airframe system weighs 7 pounds or less.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the first and the second side walls comprise a plurality of holes.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the plurality of holes are configured to reduce a weight of the airframe system to provide for at least 15 minutes of additional flight time.

9. The system of claim 1, comprising a plurality of L-brackets, wherein the L-brackets are configured to removably couple a skid landing system, a pontoon landing system, a wheeled landing system, or a combination thereof, to the first and the second side walls.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein a fuel tank is attached to the airframe system along a centerline between the first and the second side walls, and under the drive train platform, and wherein the fuel tank comprises a width wider than a distance separating the first side wall from the second side wall, and wherein the airframe system is included in an unmanned aircraft system (UAS).

11. An unmanned aircraft system (UAS) comprising:

a fuel tank;

an airframe comprising;

a first side wall;

a second side wall;

a drive train platform configured to support an aircraft drive train and to attach the first side wall to the second side wall;

a first structural rod configured to attach the first side wall to the second side wall; and

a second structural rod positioned aft of the first structural rod and configured to attach the first side wall to the second side wall, wherein the fuel tank is disposed generally along a centerline beneath the drive train platform.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the first and the second structural rods are configured to support a camera mount.

13. The system of claim 11, wherein the fuel tank comprises a first and a second tank walls coupled to each other at an angle of between 45°

and 179°

.

14. The system of claim 13, comprising a fuel line positioned in a trench disposed between the first and the second walls.

15. The system of claim 11, wherein the fuel tank comprises a plurality of baffled plates having a plurality of through holes.

16. The system of claim 11, wherein the fuel tank provides a fuel capacity for at least 3.5 hours of flight.

17. An unmanned aircraft system (UAS) comprising:

a landing system;

an airframe comprising;

a first side wall;

a second side wall;

a drive train platform configured to support an aircraft drive train and to attach the first side wall to the second side wall;

a support member configured to provide structural support in a middle section of the airframe;

a first structural rod configured to attach the first side wall to the second side wall; and

a second structural rod configured to attach the first side wall to the second side wall, wherein the landing system is attached to the first and to the second side walls.

18. The system of claim 17, comprising a weapon, and wherein the airframe is configured to provide for a life of at least 150,000 firings of the weapon.

19. The system of claim 17, wherein the landing system comprises skids, pontoons, wheels, or a combination thereof.

20. The system of claim 17, comprising a plurality of L-brackets configured to attach the landing system to the first and to the second side walls.