Amphibious vertical takeoff and landing unmanned device

• US 9,493,235 B2
• Filed: 11/13/2015
• Issued: 11/15/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 10/01/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Andrew H.B. Zhou, Dylan T.X. Zhou, Tiger T.G. Zhou
• Original Assignee: Andrew H.B. Zhou, Dylan T.X. Zhou, Tiger T.G. Zhou
• Inventors: Zhou, Dylan T X, Zhou, Andrew H B, Zhou, Tiger T G
• Primary Examiner(s): Sanderson, Joseph W
• Application Number:
  US14/940,379
• Publication Number:
  US 20160114887A1
• Time in Patent Office: 368 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60F 3/0007 Arrangement of propulsion or steering means on amphibious vehicles marine propulsion or steering B63H
• CPC Class Codes: B60F 3/0061 Amphibious vehicles specially adapted for particular purposes or of a particular type armoured amphibious vehicles F41H7/00; equipment for working under water B63C11/00; flating bridges designed as or mounted on vehicles E01D15/22
• CPC Class Codes: B60F 5/02 convertible into aircraft
• CPC Class Codes: B63B 22/20 Ballast means
• CPC Class Codes: B63G 2008/004 autonomously operating
• CPC Class Codes: B63G 8/001 Underwater vessels adapted for special purposes, e.g. unmanned underwater vessels; Equipment specially adapted therefor, e.g. docking stations self-propelled or direction controlled diving chambers with mechanical link to a base B63C11/42
• CPC Class Codes: B63G 8/16 by direct use of propellers or jets
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 29/0033 the propellers being tiltable relative to the fuselage
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 35/008 Amphibious sea planes
• 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 10/25 Fixed-wing aircraft VTOL aircraft B64U10/20
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 10/70 Convertible aircraft, e.g. convertible into land vehicles
• 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 2101/60 for transporting passengers; for transporting goods other than weapons
• 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 2201/104 using satellite radio beacon positioning systems, e.g. GPS
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 30/12 Variable or detachable wings, e.g. wings with adjustable sweep
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 30/20 : Rotors; Rotor supports
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 30/24 : Coaxial rotors
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 30/26 : Ducted or shrouded rotors
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 30/297 : Tilting rotors
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 50/13 : using external fans or propellers
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 50/14 : ducted or shrouded
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 50/19 : using electrically powered motors
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 50/31 : generated by photovoltaics
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 50/34 : In-flight charging photovoltaics B64U50/31
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 80/25 : for recharging batteries; for refuelling
• 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 1/042 : specially adapted for aircraft
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/048 : specially adapted for water vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/102 : specially adapted for vertical take-off of aircraft
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/308 : using the Internet of Things
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/321 : using wearable devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/3274 : using a pictured code, e.g. barcode or QR-code, being displayed on the M-device
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/367 : involving electronic purses or money safes
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 3/02 : Anti-collision systems
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 5/045 : Navigation or guidance aids, e.g. determination of anti-collision manoeuvers radar or analogous systems specially adapted for anti-collision between aircraft G01S13/933
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/50 : Constructional details
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/51 : Housings
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/60 : Control of cameras or camera modules
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/661 : Transmitting camera control signals through networks, e.g. control via the Internet
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/685 : performed by mechanical compensation
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/69 : Control of means for changing angle of the field of view, e.g. optical zoom objectives or electronic zooming
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/698 : for achieving an enlarged field of view, e.g. panoramic image capture
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/265 : Mixing
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/181 : for receiving images from a plurality of remote sources

Abstract

An amphibious vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) unmanned device includes a modular and expandable waterproof body. An outer body shell, at least one wing, and a door are connected to the modular and expandable waterproof body. A propulsion system of the amphibious VTOL unmanned device includes a plurality of motors and propellers and a propeller protection system. The amphibious VTOL unmanned device further includes a battery, a charging station for batteries, an onboard electricity generator a power distribution board, an electrical power storage device, and an electrical machine electrically connected to the electrical power storage device. The amphibious VTOL unmanned device is further equipped with a landing system, an onboard air compressor, an onboard electrolysis system, a cooling device, vision aiding and orientative lights, an apparatus for internally housing a cargo, and a manually or automatically deployable parachute.

Claims

1. An amphibious vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) unmanned device comprising:

a modular and expandable waterproof body;

an outer body shell comprising one or more pieces;

a propulsion system including a coaxial propulsion system, wherein the propulsion system comprises a plurality of motors and rotors associated with the plurality of motors, wherein the rotors are selected from a group comprising;

clockwise rotors, counterclockwise rotors, and variable pitch rotors;

a rotor protection system;

at least one wing;

a landing system that conforms to a landing surface, the landing system including at least a chassis;

one or more control surfaces selected from a group comprising;

a rudder, an aileron, a flap, and an elevator;

an onboard air compressor;

an onboard electrolysis system;

at least one waterproof through-body wire or antenna feed-through;

a tilt wing device;

a door connected to the modular and expandable waterproof body, wherein the door is selected from a group comprising;

a gull wing door and a falcon wing door;

at least one tilt rotor device;

a power distribution board comprising one or more of the following;

a flight controller, electronic speed controllers, a buzzer, an on screen display telemetry device, a video transmitter, and a radio control receiver;

wherein the rotors include at least a first rotor and a second rotor, the first rotor being operable to rotate about a first axis and tilt about a second axis between a helicopter mode and an aeroplane mode, wherein the first rotor comprises a shaft operable to rotate about the first axis and tilt about the second axis between the helicopter mode and the aeroplane mode;

the first axis being transversal to a longitudinal direction of the amphibious VTOL unmanned device in the helicopter mode and being substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction in the aeroplane mode, and the second rotor being operatively connected to the shaft of the first rotor;

an electrical power storage device, wherein the electrical power storage device includes at least a battery, wherein a shape of the battery conforms to an interior profile of the modular and expandable waterproof body;

an electrical machine comprising a stator and an onboard electricity generator, the stator being electrically connected to the electrical power storage device, wherein the onboard electricity generator is selected from a group comprising;

a plurality of solar cells, one or more wind turbines, and one or more hydroelectric generators;

wherein the electrical machine acts as an electric motor for driving rotation of the first rotor by using the electrical power storage device, and wherein the electrical machine acts as an electrical power generator for re-charging the electrical power storage device by causing the rotation of the second rotor under action of a wind current;

wherein the plurality of motors includes at least a solar turbine powered impeller motor, the solar turbine powered impeller motor being disposed centrally in the amphibious VTOL unmanned device, the solar turbine powered impeller motor comprising an electric-drive impeller contained in a compression chamber and having an axis of rotation oriented perpendicularly to an axis of the amphibious VTOL unmanned device, the solar turbine powered impeller motor being powered by the plurality of solar cells when the plurality of solar cells is used, the plurality of solar cells comprising at least a solar film, the solar film being integrated on one or more of the following;

an upper surface of the amphibious VTOL unmanned device, a lower surface of the amphibious VTOL unmanned device, and the at least one wing of the amphibious VTOL unmanned device;

wherein the plurality of solar cells further comprise at least carbon fiber hybrid solar cells;

a Global Positioning System (GPS) module;

a lost model alert;

a cooling device includes one of the group comprising;

at least one heat sink, fan, and duct;

a detachable impact absorbing skin or shell;

vision aiding and orientative lights, wherein the vision aiding and orientative lights include light emitting diodes;

a partial vacuum device configured to perform cooling and increase buoyancy;

a manually or automatically deployable parachute;

a lidar; and

an ultrasonic radar sensor;

wherein the at least one wing includes a left forward swept wing and a right forward swept wing, the left forward swept wing and the right forward swept wing being mounted on the chassis, and

wherein the rotors further include a first brushless ducted fan and a second brushless ducted fan integrated left and right of the chassis, the first brushless ducted fan and the second brushless ducted fan being powered by the solar film, the first brushless ducted fan and the second brushless ducted fan being associated with a brushless electric motor operable to spin the electric-drive impeller to provide at least one air accelerator ring with compressed forced air thrust.

2. The amphibious VTOL unmanned device of claim 1, wherein the rotors include one of the following:

ducted rotors, fixed pitch rotors, controllable pitch rotors, two-position rotors, full feathering rotors, and tilted rotors.

3. The amphibious VTOL unmanned device of claim 1, wherein the plurality of motors and the rotors include one or more of the following:

two motors and two rotors, three motors and three rotors, four motors and four rotors, five motors and five rotors, and six motors and six rotors.

4. The amphibious VTOL unmanned device of claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality of motors and the rotors is located on a foldable wing, the foldable wing folding in a ground mode and unfolding in a flight mode.

5. The amphibious VTOL unmanned device of claim 1, further comprising one or more modules attached to the modular and expandable waterproof body, the one or more modules are selected from a group comprising:

a waterproof battery module, a turbine, a solar panel, a camera stabilization device, a thermal inspection device, an environmental sample processor, a seismometer, a spectrometer, an osmosampler, a night vision device, a hollow waterproof module for upgrades, third-party gear, and hardware upgrades.

6. The amphibious VTOL unmanned device of claim 5, wherein the modular and expandable waterproof body has a back portion and a front portion, wherein the amphibious VTOL unmanned device is configured to be launched from a body of a user, wherein the amphibious VTOL unmanned device is operable to perform an automatic landing and an automatic takeoff, wherein the amphibious VTOL unmanned device is configured in a form of one of the following:

a people-carrying vehicle, a cargo-carrying vehicle, a radio controlled toy, an autonomous vehicle, a multi-blade ducted fan roadable electric aircraft, an uncrewed vehicle, a driverless car, a self-driving car, an unmanned aerial vehicle, a drone, a robotic car, a commercial goods and passenger carrying vehicle, and a private self-drive vehicle;

wherein the autonomous vehicle is configured to sense environmental conditions, navigate without human input, and perform autopiloting;

wherein the sensing is performed via one or more of the following;

the ultrasonic radar sensor, the lidar, the GPS module, and a computer vision module;

wherein the environmental sample processor is operable to interpret sensory information to identify navigation paths, obstacles and signage;

wherein the autonomous vehicle is operable to update maps based on sensory input to keep track of a position when conditions change or when uncharted environments are entered; and

wherein the multi-blade ducted fan roadable electric aircraft is propelled by the plurality of motors using electrical energy stored in the electrical power storage device.

7. The amphibious VTOL unmanned device of claim 1, wherein the battery is partially or completely modular, and wherein the plurality of motors is removable for upgrade, wherein the battery is a lithium ion polymer battery, and wherein the battery includes a built-in battery charge indicator.

8. The amphibious VTOL unmanned device of claim 7, wherein the variable pitch rotors are actuated by servoactuators or one or more of the plurality of motors.

9. The amphibious VTOL unmanned device of claim 1, wherein the propulsion system is powered by:

a high pressure gas; and

wherein the plurality of motors comprises direct current brushless motors, wherein the rotors are attached directly to a motor shaft associated with one or more of the plurality of motors or are mechanically linked to one or more of the plurality of motors through a series of pulley belts.

10. The amphibious VTOL unmanned device of claim 9, wherein a position of the pulley belts is set by guide rails, grooved guide pulleys, and cylindrical guide pulleys, and tightened with a tensioner clamp, wherein the pulley belts are configured to connect pulleys on arms with a servo pulley.

11. The amphibious VTOL unmanned device of claim 1, wherein the rotor protection system fully or partially surrounds the rotors.

12. The amphibious VTOL unmanned device of claim 1, wherein the landing system is configured to:

retract;

absorb shock;

conform to a launching surface; and

house or carry antennas.

13. The amphibious VTOL unmanned device of claim 1, wherein the rotors are foldable or removable, the rotors being attached to arms, and wherein the arms are permanently attached, removable, or foldable.

14. The amphibious VTOL unmanned device of claim 13, wherein the arms are actuated by at least a servomotor drive train connected to the arms.

15. The amphibious VTOL unmanned device of claim 1, wherein the plurality of motors includes one or more of a brushless motor, a brushed motor, an outrunner motor, and an inrunner motor, wherein at least one of the plurality of motors spins with 1800-2400revolutions per volt to be paired with at least one rotor having 4-8 inch diameter and 3-6 inches of pitch per rotation, or spins with 80-700 revolutions per volt to be paired with at least one rotor having 10-18 inch diameter with 4-12 inches of pitch per rotation, and wherein the plurality of motors is non-aligned on at least one axis.