Automatic pilot system for model aircraft
First Claim
1. An automatic pilot system that can be used in combination with an already existing model airplane, which has a fixed wing, fixed vertical and horizontal stabilizers, as well as a fixed rudder and fixed elevator, thus lacking any controllable elements during its flight;
- the automatic pilot system comprises one or a combination of the following control elements, which are externally attached to said model airplane to provide means for controlling and stabilizing said model airplane;
(a) a flexible rudder control element;
(b) two flexible elevator control elements;
(c) two flexible wing tip control elements whereinsaid flexible control elements are made from a flexible plastic sheet;
each of said flexible control elements being substantially thin and flat and so flexible that its relative angle to the body of said model airplane changes continuously and reversibly as the air speed of said model airplane changes;
said five flexible control elements of the proposed automatic pilot system allow for the continuous automatic control of one or a simultaneous combination of the following angles;
the pitch angle, the yaw angle and the roll angle of the model airplane thereby attaining a stable flight;
said flexible control elements pilot said model airplane on a circular gliding flight path following a high speed take-off in a straight line.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An automatic pilot system for a model airplane comprising one or more flexible control elements. When installed on a vertical stabilizer of the airplane, a flexible control element acts as an automatic rudder which provides directional control for the airplane so that it takes off in a straight line at high speed and glides in a circular path of a predetermined radius at low speed. When installed on a horizontal stabilizer of the airplane, a flexible control element acts as an automatic elevator which provides a reduced angle of attack during take-off to minimize the aerodynamic drag, an increased angle of attack during gliding flight to make the flight slower and longer-lasting, and an even greater angle of attack during landing to make the landing even slower for safety. When installed on a wing of the airplane, a flexible control element acts as an automatic dihedral wing tip which provides increased lateral stability for the airplane. When the automatic pilot system utilizes all three types of flexible control elements, it provides full three-dimensional automatic control. Each flexible control element constitutes a single-piece structure which integrates three functionally distinct sections: an attachment section, a flexing section, and a controlling section.
45 Citations
7 Claims
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1. An automatic pilot system that can be used in combination with an already existing model airplane, which has a fixed wing, fixed vertical and horizontal stabilizers, as well as a fixed rudder and fixed elevator, thus lacking any controllable elements during its flight;
- the automatic pilot system comprises one or a combination of the following control elements, which are externally attached to said model airplane to provide means for controlling and stabilizing said model airplane;
(a) a flexible rudder control element;
(b) two flexible elevator control elements;
(c) two flexible wing tip control elements wherein said flexible control elements are made from a flexible plastic sheet;
each of said flexible control elements being substantially thin and flat and so flexible that its relative angle to the body of said model airplane changes continuously and reversibly as the air speed of said model airplane changes;
said five flexible control elements of the proposed automatic pilot system allow for the continuous automatic control of one or a simultaneous combination of the following angles;
the pitch angle, the yaw angle and the roll angle of the model airplane thereby attaining a stable flight;
said flexible control elements pilot said model airplane on a circular gliding flight path following a high speed take-off in a straight line. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
- the automatic pilot system comprises one or a combination of the following control elements, which are externally attached to said model airplane to provide means for controlling and stabilizing said model airplane;
Specification