Sonotube compatible unmanned aerial vehicle and system

• US 6,056,237 A
• Filed: 06/25/1997
• Issued: 05/02/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 06/25/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: 1281329 Alberta Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Richard L.K. Woodland
• Inventors: Woodland, Richard L. K.
• Primary Examiner(s): Poon, Peter M.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Ducker, Jr., Charles R
• Application Number:
  US08/882,368
• Time in Patent Office: 1,042 Days
• Field of Search: 244/3.15, D12/16.1, 102/393, 102/405, 114/21.2, 114/21.1, 114/21.3, 114/316, 89/1.8, 89/1.11, 89/1.54, 89/1.55
• US Class Current: 244/3.15
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 3/40 Varying angle of sweep
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 3/56 Folding or collapsing to reduce overall dimensions of aircraft
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 39/024 of the remote controlled vehicle type, i.e. RPV
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 5/12 for retraction against or within fuselage or nacelle
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 1/02 Dropping, ejecting, or releasing articles jettisonable fuel reservoirs B64D37/12
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 33/02 of combustion air intakes air intakes for gas-turbine plants or jet-propulsion plants per se F02C7/04; air intakes for combustion engines in general F02M35/00
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 7/08 Arrangements of rocket launchers or releasing meansrocket launchers per se, e.g. rocket pods, F41F3/06
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 2101/15 for conventional or electronic warfare
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 2101/30 for imaging, photography or videography
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 2201/10 autonomous, i.e. by navigating independently from ground or air stations, e.g. by using inertial navigation systems [INS]
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 2201/20 Remote controls
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 30/12 Variable or detachable wings, e.g. wings with adjustable sweep
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 50/12 using turbine engines, e.g. turbojets or turbofans
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 50/15 using combustion exhausts other than turbojets or turbofans, e.g. using rockets, ramjets, scramjets or pulse-reactors
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 70/20 for releasing or capturing UAVs in flight by another aircraft
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 70/70 Launching or landing using catapults, tracks or rails launching from storage containers B64U70/50
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 70/83 using parachutes, balloons or the like
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 80/60 by wearable objects, e.g. garments or helmets
• CPC Class Codes: F41G 3/02 using an independent line of sight
• CPC Class Codes: F42B 12/365 Projectiles transmitting information to a remote location using optical or electronic means F42B12/385 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F42B 15/105 : Air torpedoes, e.g. projectiles with or without propulsion, provided with supporting air foil surfaces
• CPC Class Codes: F42B 15/22 : Missiles having a trajectory finishing below water surface having additional propulsion means for movement through water F42B17/00
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 50/10 : Drag reduction

Abstract

The present invention is generally comprised of a sonotube-compatible unmanned aerial vehicle apparatus, hereinafter referred to as a UAV, and systems for launch and control of the UAV. The UAV is generally comprised of modular sections including a nose section, a payload section, a wing and fuel tank section, and a powerplant section. The modular sections are attached to adjacent sections by uniform lock sealing rings and related components. The present invention comprises an apparatus enabling very small, man portable, ballistically launched, autonomously or semi-autonomously controlled vehicle to be deployed with preprogrammed, communicated, or telemetry mission programming. A wide range of payload packages, including emergency supplies, sensors, and antenna assemblies, may be carried, used or deployed in flight. Man-portable operation is accomplished by the use of a launch canister apparatus. The launch canister comprises retractable launch stabilizing legs, turbine engine exhaust orifices, and various antennas. The launch canister apparatus alternatively comprises a modified type "A", "B", or "C" sonotube launch canister. The system of the invention also comprises a portable Command, Control, Communications, Computer, and Intelligence (C4I) control and sensing analysis console. The console is preferably ruggedized, waterproof, shockproof, and comprises necessary control and analysis computers, input/output devices, antennas, and related hardware and software for vehicle and mission control. A C4I console and/or launch canisters may be transported by means of a backpack adapted for man portability.

Claims

1. A sonotube compatible unmanned aerial vehicle having an airframe comprising adjacent sections, said sections comprising:

a) a nose section;

b) a payload section attached to said nose section, said payload section housing at least one deployable payload;

c) a wing and fuel tank section attached to said payload section; and

d) a powerplant section attached to said wing and fuel tank section.

2. An unmanned aerial vehicle of claim 1, wherein said adjacent sections of said airframe are modular, such that each section may be replaced by similar sections having alternative configurations and capabilities.

3. An unmanned aerial vehicle of claim 1, wherein said nose section comprises electronic sensors.

4. An unmanned aerial vehicle of claim 3, wherein said sensors comprise at least one optical sensor.

5. An unmanned aerial vehicle of claim 3, wherein said sensors comprise at least one non-optical sensor.

6. An unmanned aerial vehicle of claim 1, wherein said nose section comprises at least one gimbal-mounted sensor.

7. An unmanned aerial vehicle of claim 1, wherein said wing and fuel tank section comprises retractable wings.

8. An unmanned aerial vehicle of claim 7, wherein said wings are field configurable such that said wings may be adapted for a range of flight requirements.

9. An unmanned aerial vehicle of claim 7, wherein said wings comprise at least one integrated flat patch steered antenna array.

10. An unmanned aerial vehicle of claim 1, wherein said powerplant section comprises a turbojet engine.

11. An unmanned aerial vehicle of claim 1, wherein said powerplant section comprises means for rocket-assisted launch.

12. An unmanned aerial vehicle of claim 1,

wherein said unmanned aerial vehicle comprises means for airborne launch of said unmanned aerial vehicle.

13. A sonotube compatible unmanned aerial vehicle having an airframe comprising adjacent sections, said sections comprising:

a) a nose section;

b) a payload section attached to said nose section;

c) a wing and fuel tank section attached to said payload section;

d) a powerplant section attached to said wing and fuel tank section; and

wherein said unmanned aerial vehicle is capable of man portable ballistic launch.

14. An unmanned aerial vehicle of claim 13 said adjacent sections are in electrical communication by means of at least one power and data relay conduit.

15. An unmanned aerial vehicle of claim 13, wherein said adjacent sections are attached by water-tight threaded sealing means.

16. An unmanned aerial vehicle of claim 13, wherein said airframe comprises at least one integrated antenna array.

17. An unmanned aerial vehicle of claim 13, wherein said payload section comprises at least one rotary payload launcher.

18. An unmanned aerial vehicle of claim 13, wherein said payload section is adapted for storing and deploying payloads.

19. An unmanned aerial vehicle of claim 18, wherein said payloads comprise at least one terrestrial sensor.

20. An unmanned aerial vehicle of claim 18, wherein said payloads comprise at least one marine sensor.

21. An unmanned aerial vehicle of claim 18, wherein said payloads comprise at least one spider robot.

22. An unmanned aerial vehicle of claim 18, wherein said payloads comprise at least one optical sensor.

23. An unmanned aerial vehicle of claim 18, wherein said payloads comprise at least one antenna.

24. An unmanned aerial vehicle of claim 13, wherein said powerplant section comprises a plurality of extendible axially-arrayed control fins.

25. An unmanned aerial vehicle of claim 13, wherein said powerplant section comprises a tailpipe and a ceramic heat shield and accessories arrayed around said tailpipe.

26. A system for launching a sonotube compatible unmanned aerial vehicle having an airframe comprising adjacent sections, said sections comprising:

a) a nose section;

b) a payload section attached to said nose section;

c) a wing and fuel tank section attached to said payload section; and

d) a powerplant section attached to said wing and fuel tank section;

wherein said system comprises;

a sonotube compatible launch canister having exhaust orifices, extendible legs and a carrying strap;

a sonotube compatible backpack assembly having at least one spare unmanned aerial vehicle, at least one RF antenna, and at least one GPS antenna; and

a portable C4I control station.