GLIDING MOBILE, IN PARTICULAR HYDROFOIL, PROPELLED BY A ROTARY-WING DRONE

• US 20160167470A1
• Filed: 11/13/2015
• Published: 06/16/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 12/11/2014
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Parrot Drones
• Original Assignee: Parrot SA
• Inventors: Etcheparre, Jean, Seydoux, Henri
• Application Number:
  US14/941,263
• Publication Number:
  US 20160167470A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 17/24 shaped as sledges, sleighs, or bobsleighs with or without figures
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 23/04 Self-propelled boats, ships or submarines
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 23/14 Special drives
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 27/12 Helicopters A63H27/04 takes precedence; Flying tops
• CPC Class Codes: B60F 3/0038 Flotation, updrift or stability devices for ships or other waterborne vessels B63B39/00, B63B43/10
• CPC Class Codes: B60F 3/0076 Amphibious snowmobiles ski-vehicles A63C5/00; sledges in general B62B13/00 - B62B19/00
• CPC Class Codes: B62M 2027/023 Snow mobiles characterised by engine mounting arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: B62M 27/02 power driven
• CPC Class Codes: B63B 1/125 comprising more than two hulls B63B1/107 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B63B 1/26 having more than one hydrofoil B63B1/28 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B63H 7/02 using propellers
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 27/00 Rotorcraft; Rotors peculiar thereto
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 10/10 Rotorcrafts
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 10/14 with four distinct rotor axes, e.g. quadcopters
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 10/50 Glider-type UAVs, e.g. with parachute, parasail or kite for landing B64U70/83
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 2101/00 UAVs specially adapted for particular uses or applications
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 2201/20 Remote controls
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 30/20 Rotors; Rotor supports
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 30/291 Detachable rotors or rotor supports
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 50/13 using external fans or propellers
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 50/19 : using electrically powered motors

Abstract

The mobile comprising a gliding static structure (100) provided in a lower region with a set of gliding elements (110, 120g, 120d). It further includes means (300) for the removable mounting of a rotary-mind drone with multiple rotors (221-224) forming a propulsion group (200), whose rotors each exert a thrust with a component according to a main axis (X-X) of gliding of the mobile, the proportional and individualized drive of the rotors (221-224) allowing the piloting of the mobile in speed and direction with no rudder.

Claims

1. A mobile comprising a gliding static structure (100) provided in a lower region with a set of gliding elements (110, 120g, 120d;

122g, 122d, 112, 114;

422g, 422d, 412;

522g, 522d, 512),

characterized in that it further comprises means (300) for the removable mounting of a rotary-wing drone with multiple rotors (221-224) forming a propulsion unit (200), the rotors being adapted to each exert a thrust with a component according a main axis (X-X) of gliding of the mobile, the proportional and individualized drive of the rotors (221-224) allowing to pilot the mobile in speed and direction.

2. The mobile of claim 1, wherein the gliding static structure (100) is a mechanical structure devoid of orientable directional member.

3. The mobile of claim 1, wherein the gliding static structure (100) is a mechanical structure devoid of electronic propulsion and/or direction control and driving means.

4. The mobile of claim 1, wherein the drone is a pre-existing multicopter or a quadricopter used with no other modification than the adaptation of its control software to the progression and the direction of the mobile.

5. The mobile of claim 1, wherein the mounting means comprise an arm (300) articulated about an axis (318) transverse to the main axis (X-X) of gliding of the mobile.

6. The mobile of claim 5, wherein the arm is free in rotation, and in that stop means (320, 322) are provided for retaining the propulsion unit in a wording position fixed with respect to the structure (100) when the rotors are driven into rotation, the rotors being adapted to generate a thrust with a component in the main axis of gliding of the mobile.

7. The mobile of claim 6, wherein, when the drone is a quadricopter, the rotors (221-224) are able, driven into rotation, to progressively make, under the only effect of their thrust, the propulsion unit (200) switch from a storing position to said working position.

8. The mobile of claim 1, wherein, when the drone is a quadricopter, in working position, a differentiated drive of two pairs of rotors (221, 222;

223, 224) located on the left and the right, respectively, with respect to the main axis of displacement is adapted to control the mobile in direction without having to control the orientation of a rear squat keel.

9. The mobile of claim 1, wherein, when the drone is a quadricopter, in working position, a differentiated drive of two pairs of rotors (221, 222;

223, 224) located farther from and closer to the structure (100), respectively, is adapted to control the mobile in attitude.

10. The mobile of claim 1, wherein, when the structure (100) is adapted to an aquatic displacement and has squat keels (122g, 122d, 112, 114).

11. The mobile of claim 10, comprising at least one front squat keel (122g, 122d) with a positive incidence angle.

12. The mobile of claim 10, comprising at least one rear squat keel (114) with a negative incidence angle.

13. The mobile of claim 10, comprising two front squat keels (122g, 122d) forming together a “

V”

configuration.

14. The mobile of claim 13, wherein the front squat keels are mounted on two lateral stabilizers (120g, 120d) extending from a main central structure, oriented angularly downward and towards each other.

15. The mobile of claim 10, comprising a rear squat keel (112, 114) in an inverted “

T”

shape.

16. The mobile of claim 10, wherein the structure defines at least one front floating volume (110, 120g, 120d) adapted to oppose a moment exerted by the thrust of the propulsion unit, tending to give it a diving attitude.

17. The mobile of claim 10, wherein the centre of gravity (G) of the mobile is located behind a centre (C) of application of the thrust of the propulsion unit (200) with respect to the main axis (X-X) of gliding of the mobile.

18. The mobile of claim 1, comprising a set of at least three pads (422g, 422d, 412) for a displacement on snow.

19. The mobile of claim 1, comprising a set of at least three blades (522g, 522d, 512) for a displacement on ice.

20. The mobile of claim 18, comprising means for the removable mounting of the keels (122g, 122g, 112, 114), adapted to alternatively receive the pads or the blades.

21. The mobile of claim 19, comprising means for the removable mounting of the keels (122g, 122g, 112, 114), adapted to alternatively receive the pads or the blades.