Tetra-Propeller Aircraft

• US 20140117149A1
• Filed: 11/09/2012
• Published: 05/01/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 10/29/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Shenzhen Hubsan Intelligent Co., Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Shenzhen Hubsan Technology Co., Ltd.
• Inventors: CHEN, Guangyao, ZHOU, Qiangwu, ZHU, Shidong
• Granted Patent: US 8,973,861 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 244/17.23
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 27/12 Helicopters A63H27/04 takes precedence; Flying tops
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 10/14 with four distinct rotor axes, e.g. quadcopters
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 10/20 Vertical take-off and landing [VTOL] aircraft flying platforms B64U10/13; helicopters B64U10/17
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 2201/20 Remote controls
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 30/20 Rotors; Rotor supports
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 50/19 using electrically powered motors
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 50/39 Battery swapping

Abstract

Described herein is a vertical take-off and landing aircraft comprising: an upper enclosure comprising a first upper arm and a second upper arm; a lower enclosure comprising a first lower arm and a second lower arm; wherein the first upper arm and the first lower arm comprise a first upper buckle and a first lower buckle, respectively; wherein the second upper arm and the second lower arm comprise a second upper buckle and a second lower buckle, respectively; wherein the first upper buckle engages the first lower buckle and the second upper buckle engages the second lower buckle, thereby securing the upper enclosure to the lower enclosure.

Claims

1. A vertical take-off and landing aircraft comprising:

an upper enclosure comprising a first upper arm and a second upper arm;

a lower enclosure comprising a first lower arm and a second lower arm;

wherein the first upper arm and the first lower arm comprise a first upper buckle and a first lower buckle, respectively;

wherein the second upper arm and the second lower arm comprise a second upper buckle and a second lower buckle, respectively;

wherein the first upper buckle engages the first lower buckle and the second upper buckle engages the second lower buckle, thereby securing the upper enclosure to the lower enclosure.

2. The vertical take-off and landing aircraft of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first upper buckle and the second upper buckle comprises a slot and a recess;

wherein at least one of the first lower buckle and the second lower buckle comprises a protrusion and a step;

wherein the protrusion engages the slot and the step engages the recess.

3. The vertical take-off and landing aircraft of claim 1, wherein the lower enclosure comprises a battery holder configured to removably secure a battery on the lower enclosure.

4. The vertical take-off and landing aircraft of claim 1, wherein the upper enclosure comprises a pocket at each end portion of the first upper arm and the second upper arm, the pocket being configured to accommodate one or more motors therein.

5. The vertical take-off and landing aircraft of claim 1, further comprising a PCB board configured to receive signals from satellite, remote controller;

transmit signal to satellite, remote receiver;

control location, speed, heading and trajectory of the vertical take-off and landing aircraft;

process image data;

drive motors;

or a combination thereof.

6. The vertical take-off and landing aircraft of claim 1, wherein the PCB board is attached to the upper enclosure.

7. The vertical take-off and landing aircraft of claim 1, further comprising a solar panel.

8. The vertical take-off and landing aircraft of claim 1, further comprising two first motors mounted on the first upper arm and two second motors mounted on the second upper arm.

9. The vertical take-off and landing aircraft of claim 8, wherein the two first motors are configured to rotate clockwise and the two second motors are configured to rotate counterclockwise;

or wherein the two first motors are configured to rotate counterclockwise and the two second motors are configured to rotate clockwise.

10. The vertical take-off and landing aircraft of claim 9, further comprising a propeller mounted on each of the first motors and each of the second motors.

11. The vertical take-off and landing aircraft of claim 10, wherein the propellers mounted on each of the first motors are mirror image of the propellers mounted on each of the second motors.

12. The vertical take-off and landing aircraft of claim 8, wherein axes of the first motors and the second motors are parallel to each other and are located on a same cylindrical surface.

13. The vertical take-off and landing aircraft of claim 10, wherein the propellers produce lift when rotating.

14. The vertical take-off and landing aircraft of claim 1, further comprising a battery.

15. The vertical take-off and landing aircraft of claim 14, wherein the battery is a rechargeable lithium-ion battery.

16. The vertical take-off and landing aircraft of claim 14, wherein the battery is configured to be removably inserted into the vertical take-off and landing aircraft from a side thereof.

17. The vertical take-off and landing aircraft of claim 14, wherein the lower enclosure further comprises one or more ribs configured to prevent accidental release of the battery from the vertical take-off and landing aircraft.