PAYLOAD SHROUD FOR AIR VEHICLE

• US 20160009371A1
• Filed: 12/13/2013
• Published: 01/14/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 12/13/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: AAI Corporation (Textron Inc)
• Original Assignee: AAI Corporation (Textron Inc)
• Inventors: ATZERT, MONICA, Wallace, Jason, Hurn, Robert, Deardorff, Doug, Zeleny, Terry
• Granted Patent: US 9,731,811 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 1/36 adapted to receive antennas or radomes
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 39/024 of the remote controlled vehicle type, i.e. RPV
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 7/00 Structures or fairings not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 1/08 the articles being load-carrying devices
• 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 2101/60 for transporting passengers; for transporting goods other than weapons

Abstract

A UAV includes a body. The body defines a payload opening 14. The payload opening is circular, but any shape may be used. A payload of the UAV is arranged in the payload opening. The payload may be a camera, sensors, a package, etc. A payload shroud may be installed which prohibits or reduced ingress of foreign material via payload opening. A payload shroud may include a diverter. The diverter may act as a barrier wall preventing the water or debris from entering the body of the UAV. The diverter should fit flush with the payload opening in the body of the UAV.

Claims

1. A payload shroud, comprising:

a diverter including a cylindrical wall defining a hollow central portion;

a seal; and

a flexible membrane on at least a portion of the diverter.

2. The payload shroud of claim 1, wherein the seal is a brush seal.

3. The payload shroud of claim 2, wherein the brush seal comprises a base having a circular shape and bristles, the bristles being flexible.

4. The payload shroud of claim 1, wherein the brush seal is disposed at a second end of the diverter.

5. The payload shroud of claim 4, wherein the brush seal is attached in a horizontal position such that the bristles are substantially perpendicular to the walls of the diverter.

6. The payload shroud of claim 1, wherein the bristles extend toward an interior defined by the base.

7. The payload shroud of claim 1, wherein the diverter has a height to accommodate platform geometry limitations.

8. The payload shroud of claim 1, wherein the wall define at least one cutout therein, the cutout being sized and positioned in the wall to accommodate variations in payload.

9. The payload shroud of claim 8, wherein the wall defines three cutouts.

10. The payload shroud of claim 9, further comprising a flexible membrane disposed over the cutouts.

11. The payload shroud of claim 1, wherein the flexible membranes seal the cutout.

12. The payload shroud of claim 1, further comprising an access port via which a mechanical latch is accessible.

14. The payload shroud of claim 1, wherein the seal is a brush seal.

15. The payload shroud of claim 2, wherein the brush seal comprises a base having a circular shape and bristles, the bristles being flexible.

16. The payload shroud of claim 1, wherein the brush seal is disposed at a second end of the diverter.

17. The payload shroud of claim 4, wherein the brush seal is attached in a horizontal position such that the bristles are substantially perpendicular the walls of the diverter.

18. The payload shroud of claim 1, wherein the bristles extend toward an interior define by the base.

19. The payload shroud of claim 1, wherein the diverter has a height to accommodate platform geometry limitations

20. The payload shroud of claim 1, wherein the wall define at least one cutout therein, the cutout being sized and positioned in the wall to accommodate variations in payload.

21. The payload shroud of claim 8, wherein the wall defines three cutouts.

22. The payload shroud of claim 9, further comprising a flexible membrane disposed over the cutouts.

23. The payload shroud of claim 1, wherein the flexible membranes seal the cutout.

24. The payload shroud of claim 1, further comprising an access port via which a parachute latch is accessible.

13. A body for an air vehicle, including a payload receiving portion, the payload receiving portion being adapted to receive a payload via an opening therein, a diverter disposed within the opening, the diverter including a cylindrical wall defining a central portion, the cylindrical wall having a top and a bottom and a seal disposed at the top and/or bottom of the cylindrical wall.

25. An air vehicle, comprising:

a body defining a payload opening therein;

a payload suspended in the payload opening;

a payload shroud arranged within the body and around the payload, the payload shroud including, a diverter attached to the body above the opening, the diverter including a cylindrical wall defining a central portion, the cylindrical wall having a top and a bottom, and a seal disposed at the top of the cylindrical wall.