Helicopter with multi-rotors and wireless capability

• US 20120083945A1
• Filed: 10/06/2011
• Published: 04/05/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 08/26/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Geotech Environmental Equipment, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Leptron Industrial Robotic Helicopters, Inc.
• Inventors: OAKLEY, John Robert, HEATH, David Scott
• Granted Patent: US 8,774,982 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/2
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 2025/325 specially adapted for helicopters
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 2211/00 Modular constructions of airplanes or helicopters
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 25/52 Skis or runners
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 27/08 with two or more rotors
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 39/024 of the remote controlled vehicle type, i.e. RPV
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 10/10 Rotorcrafts
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 10/13 Flying platforms
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 20/87 Mounting of imaging devices, e.g. mounting of gimbals
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 20/96 using air
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 2101/00 UAVs specially adapted for particular uses or applications
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 2101/30 for imaging, photography or videography
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 2101/31 for surveillance
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 2201/104 using satellite radio beacon positioning systems, e.g. GPS
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 2201/20 Remote controls
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 30/20 Rotors; Rotor supports
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 30/293 Foldable or collapsible rotors or rotor supports
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0038 by providing the operator with simple or augmented images from one or more cameras located onboard the vehicle, e.g. tele-operation images analyzed by a computer and used for automatic navigation G05D1/0246
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0088 characterized by the autonomous decision making process, e.g. artificial intelligence, predefined behaviours using knowledge based models G06N5/00
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0202 specially adapted to aircraft
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0858 specially adapted for vertical take-off of aircraft
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/185 : from a mobile camera, e.g. for remote control

Abstract

The present invention relates to a helicopter having a modular airframe, with multiple layers which can be connected easily, the layers which house the electronics (autopilot and navigation systems), batteries, and payload (including camera system) of the helicopter. The helicopter has four, six, and eight rotors, which can be easily changed via removing one module of the airframe. In one embodiment, the airframe has a vertical stacked appearance, and in another embodiment, a domed shape (where several of the layers are stacked internally). In one embodiment, there is a combination landing gear and camera mount. The helicopter allows for simple flight and usage by remote control, and non-remote control, users.

Claims

1. A helicopter comprising:

an airframe having a plurality of modular components;

a connecting mechanism which connects each of said modular components to each other;

a plurality of rotor assemblies extending from a plurality of arms connected to said airframe, said rotor assemblies each having a rotor thereon with a plurality of rotor blades;

a plurality of landing gear extending from said airframe; and

an autopilot disposed within said airframe;

wherein said autopilot receives wireless instructions for helicopter control, from at least one of a first wireless communication transmitter/receiver disposed in the airframe of the helicopter, said first wireless communication transmitter/receiver that transmits and receives wireless instructions from a ground station unit, or a second wireless transmitter/receiver disposed in the helicopter, that transmits and receives wireless instructions from a hand-held remote control unit.