Devices, systems and methods for modular payload integration for unmanned aerial vehicles
First Claim
1. A device for use on a small unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), the device comprising:
- a wing with a center wing portion extending over the UAV, the wing having an open cavity and a wing airfoil; and
a cover removably coupled to the open cavity having an aerodynamic shape such that the combination of the cover and the wing yields a payload airfoil of greater thickness than the wing airfoil;
wherein a payload cavity is created from the combination of the volume of the open cavity and from the volume added by the cover.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Devices, systems and methods are disclosed which relate to providing wing designs with payload integration capabilities on existing modularly assembled unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). Exemplary embodiments of the present invention present a novel technique of adding payloads to existing UAVs while improving flight performance over existing techniques by maintaining a similar overall weight with improved aerodynamic properties. The technique includes using a reinforced foam core center wing with a fiberglass epoxy skin. A lightweight payload canopy cover integrates onto the center wing as an agnostic enclosure for payloads. The payload canopy cover may contain venting holes for the cooling of electronic payloads. The systems may also include common devices such as antennas, GPS, and batteries for use with a wide range of payloads.
43 Citations
18 Claims
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1. A device for use on a small unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), the device comprising:
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a wing with a center wing portion extending over the UAV, the wing having an open cavity and a wing airfoil; and a cover removably coupled to the open cavity having an aerodynamic shape such that the combination of the cover and the wing yields a payload airfoil of greater thickness than the wing airfoil; wherein a payload cavity is created from the combination of the volume of the open cavity and from the volume added by the cover. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A payload cavity for use on an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), the payload cavity comprising:
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a wing with a center wing portion extending over the UAV, the wing having an open cavity centered along the UAV'"'"'s line of symmetry and a wing airfoil; and a rigid cover providing an open volume removably coupled to the open cavity such that the open volume and the open cavity are united; wherein the union of the open volume and the open cavity creates a payload volume and a payload airfoil. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification