METHOD FOR OPERATING A RADIO-CONTROLLED FLYING HOVERCRAFT

• US 20160001882A1
• Filed: 07/03/2015
• Published: 01/07/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 08/30/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: QFO Labs, Inc.
• Original Assignee: QFO Labs, Inc.
• Inventors: Pedersen, Brad, Spirov, Peter
• Granted Patent: US 9,904,292 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60V 1/06 wherein the cushion is formed within plenum chamber
• CPC Class Codes: B60V 1/10 in which the curtain-forming nozzle or the vehicle base is shaped to create a vortex curtain
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 15/02 the jets being propulsion jets
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 27/08 with two or more rotors
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 27/20 Rotorcraft characterised by having shrouded rotors, e.g. flying platforms
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 39/001 Flying saucers
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 39/024 of the remote controlled vehicle type, i.e. RPV
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 27/24 using steam or spring force jet aircraft B64D27/16
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 20/40 Modular UAVs
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 2201/20 Remote controls
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 30/00 Means for producing lift; Empennages; Arrangements thereof
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 30/20 Rotors; Rotor supports
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 30/26 Ducted or shrouded rotors
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 50/19 using electrically powered motors
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0016 characterised by the operator's input device input arrangements for computing systems in general G06F3/00
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0022 characterised by the communication link data switching networks in general H04L12/00
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0816 to ensure stability
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0858 specially adapted for vertical take-off of aircraft

Abstract

A homeostatic flying hovercraft preferably utilizes at least two pairs of counter-rotating ducted fans to generate lift like a hovercraft and utilizes a homeostatic hover control system to create a flying craft that is easily controlled. The homeostatic hover control system provides true homeostasis of the craft with a true fly-by-wire flight control and control-by-wire system control.

Claims

1. A method for operating a radio controlled (RC) flying hovercraft using an RC controller separate and remote from the RC flying hovercraft, the method comprising:

providing an RC flying hovercraft having a set of generally downwardly directed thrusters, each thruster including at least one blade driven by a battery powered motor to provide aerodynamic lift for the RC flying hovercraft under control of a control system in the RC flying hovercraft that is responsive to radio frequency (RF) communications from the RC controller;

causing an RF receiver in the control system in the RC flying hovercraft to receive communications from the RC controller, the communications including a desired orientation of the RC flying hovercraft, wherein the desired orientation communicated by the RC controller is determined based on a handheld structure housing a sensor system in the RC controller that senses at least a two dimensional, two-axis sensed orientation of the handheld structure as a result of a user remote from the RC flying hovercraft selectively orienting the handheld structure;

causing a sensor system in the control system of the RC flying hovercraft to dynamically determine an actual orientation of the RC flying hovercraft, the sensor system including at least a three-dimensional, three-axis sensor; and

causing the control system in the RC flying hovercraft to automatically and dynamically control a thrust produced by each of said thrusters to achieve and selectively maintain the actual orientation of the RC flying hovercraft in response to the desired orientation communicated to the RC flying hovercraft by the RC controller and the actual orientation determined by the sensor system in the RC flying hovercraft without any additional communications being required for control of moment-to-moment balance and stabilization of the RC flying hovercraft.