Flat-stock aerial vehicles and methods of use

• US 9,601,040 B2
• Filed: 06/09/2015
• Issued: 03/21/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 06/24/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: University of Kansas
• Original Assignee: University of Kansas
• Inventors: Barrett, Ronald M., Bramlette, Richard B., Honea, Robert B.
• Primary Examiner(s): BENEDIK, JUSTIN M
• Application Number:
  US14/734,885
• Publication Number:
  US 20160023743A1
• Time in Patent Office: 651 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 27/001 Making or assembling thereof, e.g. by folding
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 27/02 Model aircraft
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 27/12 Helicopters A63H27/04 takes precedence; Flying tops
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 27/14 Starting or launching devices for toy aircraft; Arrangements on toy aircraft for starting or launching for launching objects from an aircraft A63H27/004
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 21/08 the advertising matter being arranged on the aircraft

Abstract

A flat-stock aerial vehicle includes a body having a plurality of flat-stock sheets connected to one another, at least one motor, and at least three aerodynamic propulsors driven by the at least one motor. The aerodynamic propulsors can provide lifting thrust, pitch, yaw, and roll control in both helicopter-like hover flight and airplane-like translational flight.

Claims

1. A flat-stock aerial vehicle comprising:

a body having a forward body edge, an aft body edge, and a longitudinal axis, the body including;

a first flat-stock sheet having a first forward edge and a first aft edge and having an aft slot therein extending forward from the first aft edge, and

a second flat-stock sheet having a second forward edge and a second aft edge and having a forward slot therein extending aft from the second forward edge, wherein the aft slot is configured to engage with the forward slot;

at least one motor; and

at least three aerodynamic propulsors positioned between the forward body edge and aft body edge, the at least three aerodynamic propulsors defining a forward wing portion and an aft wing portion, the at least three aerodynamic propulsors driven by the at least one motor, the at least three aerodynamic propulsors being configured to provide lifting thrust, pitch, yaw, and roll control to the vehicle.

2. The flat-stock aerial vehicle of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the body is made from flat-stock which is planar or possesses simple curves.

3. The flat-stock aerial vehicle of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the body is made from laminated flat-stock which is planar or possesses simple curves.

4. The flat-stock aerial vehicle of claim 1, wherein the body has at least one cutout to accommodate electronics, motors, propellers, landing gear, or lights.

5. The flat-stock aerial vehicle of claim 1, further comprising removable landing gear which extend laterally beyond the radial outermost position of the at least three aerodynamic propulsors.

6. The flat-stock aerial vehicle of claim 1, further comprising light emitting devices to be used to enhance visibility and situational awareness or advertising.

7. The flat-stock aerial vehicle of claim 1, wherein the first flat-stock sheet or second flat-stock sheet is strengthened by a support member along a leading edge.

8. The flat-stock aerial vehicle of claim 1, wherein the first flat-stock sheet and second flat-stock sheet are connected by an adhesive.

9. The flat-stock aerial vehicle of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of turning vanes located at the aft edge of the body.

10. A flat-stock aerial vehicle comprising:

a body having a forward body edge, an aft body edge, and a longitudinal axis, the body including a plurality of flat-stock sheets, the plurality of flat-stock sheets being joined together along the longitudinal axis and the plurality of flat-stock sheets being arranged around the longitudinal axis at equal angular intervals;

at least one motor; and

at least three aerodynamic propulsors positioned between the forward body edge and aft body edge, the at least three aerodynamic propulsors defining a forward wing portion and an aft wing portion, the at least three aerodynamic propulsors driven by the at least one motor, the at least three aerodynamic propulsors being configured to provide lifting thrust, pitch, yaw, and roll control to the vehicle.

11. The flat-stock aerial vehicle of claim 10, further comprising an electronics package located in the longitudinal axis of the body and supported by the plurality of flat-stock sheets.

12. The flat-stock aerial vehicle of claim 10, wherein each of the at least three aerodynamic propulsors is operably connected to a powerpod configured to move the aerodynamic propulsors.

13. The flat-stock aerial vehicle of claim 10, wherein each of the plurality of flat-stock sheets are connected to one another by a mechanical fastener.

14. The flat-stock aerial vehicle of claim 10, further comprising at least one communications module to allow remote communication therewith.

15. The flat-stock aerial vehicle of claim 10, further comprising a tether and a base such that the aerial vehicle is tethered to the base so as to be raised or lowered by paying out more or less cable.

16. A flat-stock aerial vehicle comprising:

a body having a forward body edge, an aft body edge, and a longitudinal axis, the body including;

a first flat-stock sheet having a first forward edge and a first aft edge and having a first cutout area located therein between the first forward edge and the first aft edge, and

a second flat-stock sheet having a second forward edge and a second aft edge and a second cutout area, wherein the second flat-stock wing is configured to be inserted through the first cutout area such that the second cutout area aligns with the first cutout area to define a cutout volume;

a key positioned in the cutout volume, the key limiting movement of the first flat-stock sheet relative to the second flat-stock sheet;

at least one motor; and

at least four aerodynamic propulsors positioned between the forward body edge and aft body edge, the at least three aerodynamic propulsors defining a forward wing portion and an aft wing portion, the at least three aerodynamic propulsors driven by the at least one motor, the at least three aerodynamic propulsors being configured to provide lifting thrust, pitch, yaw, and roll control to the vehicle.

17. The flat-stock aerial vehicle of claim 16, wherein the first flat-stock sheet is asymmetrical.

18. The flat-stock aerial vehicle of claim 16, further comprising one or more stabilizers.

19. The flat-stock aerial vehicle of claim 16, wherein the key is an electronics package including an energy storage device.

20. The flat-stock aerial vehicle of claim 16, further comprising a guard member that provides support between the first flat-stock sheet and second flat-stock sheet.