TOWABLE AIR VEHICLE
First Claim
1. An air vehicle to be towed by a surface vehicle, comprising:
- an unmanned flight body;
an autogyro assembly connected to the flight body, the autogyro being adapted for unmanned flight;
a controller to control operation the autogyro assembly for unmanned flight; and
a sensor to detect other objects adjacent the air vehicle.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An unmanned, towable air vehicle is described and includes electronic sensors to increase the detection range relative to the horizon detection limitations of a surface craft, an autogyro assembly to provide lift, and a controller to control operation the autogyro assembly for unmanned flight. A forward motive force powers the autogyro assembly to provide lift. In an example, the autogyro assembly includes a mast extending from the container, a rotatable hub on an end of the mast, and a plurality of blades connected to the hub for rotation to provide lift to the vehicle. In an example, an electrical motor rotates the blades prior to lift off to assist in take off. The electrical motor does not have enough power to sustain flight of the vehicle in an example.
108 Citations
29 Claims
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1. An air vehicle to be towed by a surface vehicle, comprising:
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an unmanned flight body; an autogyro assembly connected to the flight body, the autogyro being adapted for unmanned flight; a controller to control operation the autogyro assembly for unmanned flight; and a sensor to detect other objects adjacent the air vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A detection system comprising:
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a towing vehicle; and an air vehicle in communication with the towing vehicle, the air vehicle comprising; a flight body; an autogyro assembly connected to the flight body; a controller to control operation the autogyro assembly for unmanned flight; and a sensor to detect other objects adjacent the air vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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Specification