STABILIZED UAV PLATFORM WITH FUSED IR AND VISIBLE IMAGERY

• US 20140231578A1
• Filed: 03/14/2013
• Published: 08/21/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 06/19/2012
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: BAE Systems Information and Electronic Systems Integration Incorporated (BAE Systems Plc)
• Original Assignee: BAE Systems Information and Electronic Systems Integration Incorporated (BAE Systems Plc)
• Inventors: Lavoie, Barry
• Application Number:
  US13/826,412
• Publication Number:
  US 20140231578A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 244/13
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 3/38 Adjustment of complete wings or parts thereof
• 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 10/25 Fixed-wing aircraft VTOL aircraft B64U10/20
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 2101/30 for imaging, photography or videography
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 50/19 using electrically powered motors
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 70/00 Launching, take-off or landing arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0094 involving pointing a payload, e.g. camera, weapon, sensor, towards a fixed or moving target

Abstract

Embodiments of the present invention relate to an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) and a method of use. The UAV may comprise a UAV platform designed around a sensor system. The UAV platform may adjust itself in order to stabilize the sensor system. The UAV platform may comprise front UAV wings, back UAV wings, and a payload chamber. The front UAV wings and back UAV wings may adjust themselves by rotating about a line approximately perpendicular to the UAV'"'"'s flight line. The payload chamber may adjust itself by rotating about the UAV'"'"'s flight line. The sensor system may be located in an optimal location on the UAV platform, for example, behind the nose as far back as the front UAV wings. The sensor system may comprise an infrared (IR) and a visible camera.

Claims

1. An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) comprising:

a sensor system; and

a UAV platform designed around said sensor system, wherein said UAV platform adjusts itself to stabilize said sensor system.

2. The UAV of claim 1 wherein said sensor system has an infrared (IR) camera and a visible camera.

3. The UAV of claim 1 wherein said UAV platform comprises:

front UAV wings;

back UAV wings; and

a payload chamber, wherein said sensor system is attached to said payload chamber such that it rotates with said payload chamber.

4. The UAV of claim 3 wherein said front UAV wings, said back UAV wings, and said payload chamber adjust themselves independent of one another.

5. The UAV of claim 3 wherein said front UAV wings and said back UAV wings adjust themselves by rotating about a line approximately perpendicular to a flight line of said UAV.

6. The UAV of claim 3 wherein said payload chamber adjusts itself by rotating about a flight line of said UAV.

7. The UAV of claim 3 wherein said sensor system is located approximately as fu back from a nose of said UAV as said front UAV wings.

8. The UAV of claim 3 wherein said UAV platform has a wingspan of approximately 23 inches.

9. The UAV of claim 3 wherein said UAV platform is pre-programmed with flight patterns using on-hoard positioning sensors.

10. The UAV of claim 3 wherein said UAV platform is controlled with handheld controls.

11. The UAV of claim 3 further comprising operational accelerometers attached to said front UAV wings and said back UAV wings.

12. The UAV of claim 3 further comprising:

at least one air intake; and

at least one air exhaust.

13. A method of using a UAV comprising the steps of

acquiring a UAV having a sensor system and a UAV platform designed around said sensor system;

and

adjusting said UAV platform to stabilize said sensor system.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein said UAV platform comprises:

front UAV wings;

back UAV wings; and

a payload chamber, wherein said sensor system is attached to said payload chamber such that it rotates with said payload chamber.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein the adjusting step comprises rotating said front UAV wings about a line approximately perpendicular to a flight line of said UAV.

16. The method of claim 14 wherein the adjusting step comprises rotating said hack UAV wings about a line approximately perpendicular to a flight line of said UAV.

17. The method of claim 14 wherein the adjusting step comprises rotating said payload chamber about a flight line of said UAV.

18. The method of claim 14 wherein the adjusting step comprises:

rotating said front UAV wings about a line approximately perpendicular to a flight line of said UAV;

rotating said back UAV wings about a line approximately perpendicular to said flight line; and

rotating said payload chamber about said flight line.

19. An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) comprising:

a sensor system;

front UAV wings;

back UAV wings; and

a payload chamber;

wherein said sensor system is attached to said payload chamber such that it rotates with said payload chamber, wherein said front UAV wings, said back UAV wings, and said payload chamber adjust themselves independent of one another to stabilize said sensor system.

20. The UAV of claim 19 wherein said front UAV wings and said back UAV wings adjust themselves by rotating about a line approximately perpendicular to a flight line of said UAV, and said payload chamber adjusts itself by rotating about said flight line.