TOWABLE AIR VEHICLE
First Claim
1. An air vehicle to be towed by a vehicle, comprising:
- an unmanned flight body;
an autogyro assembly connected to the flight body;
a controller to control operation the autogyro assembly for unmanned flight; and
a generator connected to convert mechanical power from the autogyro assembly to electrical power utilized by the air vehicle including the controller.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An unmanned, towable air vehicle is described and includes electronic sensors to increase the detection range relative to the horizon detection limitations of a surface craft, an autogyro assembly to provide lift, and a controller to control operation the autogyro assembly for unmanned flight. A forward motive force powers the autogyro assembly to provide lift. In an example, the autogyro assembly includes a mast extending from the container, a rotatable hub on an end of the mast, and a plurality of blades connected to the hub for rotation to provide lift to the vehicle. In an example, an electrical motor rotates the blades prior to lift off to assist in take off. The electrical motor does not have enough power to sustain flight of the vehicle in an example.
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Citations
30 Claims
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1. An air vehicle to be towed by a vehicle, comprising:
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an unmanned flight body; an autogyro assembly connected to the flight body; a controller to control operation the autogyro assembly for unmanned flight; and a generator connected to convert mechanical power from the autogyro assembly to electrical power utilized by the air vehicle including the controller. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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4-5. -5. (canceled)
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12-13. -13. (canceled)
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14. An air vehicle to be towed by a marine vessel, the air vehicle comprising:
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a flight body; a plurality of legs extending from the flight body to support the towed air vehicle when on the ground; a weight sensor attached to each of the plurality of legs for sensing weight loaded on each of the plurality of legs; an autogyro assembly connected to the flight body; an actuator connected to the autogyro assembly to change the location of the autogyro assembly relative to the flight body; a controller to control operation the autogyro assembly for unmanned flight, wherein the controller receives weight data provided the plurality of weight sensors, calculates a center of gravity associated with the towed air vehicle in response to the received weight data, and in response to the calculated center of gravity controls the actuator to change the location of the autogyro. - View Dependent Claims (15, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 30)
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16-19. -19. (canceled)
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28-29. -29. (canceled)
Specification