232results about "Modular constructions" patented technology

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.

An aircraft landing assist apparatus is designed to be retrofit to existing aircraft having internal constructions that have been modified to support the apparatus. The apparatus is designed so that on rough landings of the aircraft on a ship deck, the apparatus will collapse in a controlled manner to avoid any damage to ammunition and / or fuel storage areas of the aircraft.

An aircraft for carrying at least one rigid cargo container includes a beam structure with a forward fuselage attached to the forward end of the beam structure and an empennage attached to the rearward end of the beam structure. Wings and engines are mounted relative to the beam structure and a fairing creates a cargo bay able to receive standard sized intermodal cargo containers. Intermodal cargo containers of light construction and rigid structure are positioned within the cargo bay and securely mounted therein. The beam structure is designed to support flight, takeoffs and landings when the aircraft is empty but requires the added strength of the containers securely mounted to the beam structure when the aircraft is loaded. The aircraft is contemplated to be a drone.

A rotor blade includes a removable blade tip section which is mounted to an outboard rotor blade section by mechanically mounting a tip spar to a main blade spar with a spar interface section which bridges a butt joint between the blade spar and the tip spar. The spar interface section is mounted within the blade spar and the tip spar with a multiple of threaded fasteners which are under shear load during rotor blade rotation.

An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) is designed for low-speed, low altitude, long endurance missions typical to UAVs of this size and class. The UAV structure is configured to be substantially impervious to small arms fire and to have a very small representative radar cross-section. The UAV is modular such that the main wings and tail wing assembly are quickly and easily, detached from the fuselage for ease of transport and to provide an airframe that is quickly and easily adapted to any particular mission.

A fuel-efficient method for transporting cargo to a desired location via an aircraft. The method comprises determining the weight of the cargo capable of being transported in a single container, selecting a container having a sufficient weight capacity to support the cargo based on the determined weight of the cargo, and filling the selected container with the cargo. The filled container is loaded onto a location on the aircraft beam relative to the aircraft's CG based on the weight of the filled container to stay within the acceptable CG range for the aircraft. The filled containers having the greater weight are positioned on the beam at or adjacent to the aircraft's CG and the filled containers having lower weight are positioned farther from the aircraft's CG. The containers provide strength and rigidity to the beam to sustain the bending and torsional loads in flight.