SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR OPERATION AND MANAGEMENT OF RECONFIGURABLE UNMANNED AIRCRAFT
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Abstract
A reconfigurable unmanned aircraft system is disclosed. A system and method for configuring a reconfigurable unmanned aircraft and system and method for operation and management of a reconfigurable unmanned aircraft in an airspace are also disclosed. The aircraft is selectively reconfigurable to modify flight characteristics. The aircraft comprises a set of rotors. The position of at least one rotor relative to the base can be modified by at least one of translation of the rotor relative to the boom, pivoting of the boom relative to the base, and translation of the boom relative to the base; so that flight characteristics can be modified by configuration of position of at least one rotor relative to the base. A method of configuring an aircraft having a set of rotors on a mission to carry a payload comprises the steps of determining properties of the payload including at least mass properties, determining the manner in which the payload will be coupled to the aircraft, determining configuration for each of the rotors in the set of rotors at least partially in consideration of the properties of the payload, and positioning the set of rotors in the configuration for the aircraft to perform the mission.
35 Citations
301 Claims
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1-104. -104. (canceled)
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105. A method of reconfiguring a selectively reconfigurable unmanned aircraft having a first rotor on a first boom coupled to a base and a second rotor on a second boom coupled to the base for a mission to carry a payload comprising:
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(a) determining the effect of the payload on flight characteristics; (b) modifying the position of at least one rotor relative to the base; wherein position of the rotor relative to the base can be modified by at least one of (1) translation of the rotor relative to the boom;
(2) pivoting of the boom relative to the base;
(3) translation of the boom relative to the base;so that flight characteristics can be modified by reconfiguration of position of at least one rotor relative to the base. - View Dependent Claims (106, 107, 109, 112, 114, 115, 116, 117, 121, 142, 143)
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108. (canceled)
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110-111. -111. (canceled)
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113. (canceled)
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118-120. -120. (canceled)
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122-141. -141. (canceled)
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144-174. -174. (canceled)
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175. A selectively reconfigurable aircraft for unmanned flight with payload providing flight characteristics comprising:
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(a) a base; (b) a first rotor on a first boom coupled to the base; (c) a second rotor on a second boom coupled to the base; (d) a monitoring system configured to monitor conditions of the aircraft including a payload; wherein position of the first rotor relative to the base can be modified by at least one of (1) translation of the rotor relative to the boom;
(2) pivoting of the boom relative to the base;
(3) translation of the boom relative to the base;wherein position of the second rotor relative to the base can be modified by at least one of (1) translation of the rotor relative to the boom;
(2) pivoting of the boom relative to the base;
(3) translation of the boom relative to the base;so that flight characteristics can be modified by reconfiguration of the position of at least one rotor relative to the base. - View Dependent Claims (176, 192, 222, 225, 226, 230, 231, 236, 243, 244, 259, 260, 264, 265, 275, 279, 292, 294, 300)
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177-191. -191. (canceled)
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193-221. -221. (canceled)
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223-224. -224. (canceled)
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227-229. -229. (canceled)
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232-235. -235. (canceled)
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237-242. -242. (canceled)
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245-258. -258. (canceled)
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261-263. -263. (canceled)
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266-274. -274. (canceled)
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276-278. -278. (canceled)
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280-291. -291. (canceled)
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293. (canceled)
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295-299. -299. (canceled)
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301-333. -333. (canceled)
Specification