Electromagnetically controlled flapping wing aerial device

Abstract

The present invention relates to a flapping-wing aerial body capable of controlled flight using electromagnetically driven wing motion. The invention mimics the flight dynamics of insects, such as wasps and bees, by creating lift and thrust through the up-and-down movement of its wings. Electromagnets are employed to attract and release metallic plates connected to the wings, causing them to flap. This motion allows the aerial body to move in multiple directions, including forward, backward, left, right, and vertical, as well as to remain stationary in flight. The invention features a microcontroller that wirelessly transmits control signals to the electromagnets, enabling precise adjustment of the wing flapping rate and direction. A spring system is incorporated to return the metallic plates to their original position when the electromagnets are deactivated, ensuring efficient movement. This design offers a compact, energy-efficient, and highly manoeuvrable alternative to conventional drone technologies, with potential applications in unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), personal flying devices, and advanced air mobility solutions.

Description

Electromagnetically Controlled Flapping Wing Aerial Device

[0001] The present invention relates to aerial vehicles or drones employing flapping wing systems. More specifically, it pertains to systems, methods, and devices for creating flight through the use of electromagnetically controlled flapping wings, with applications in unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), personal flying devices, and advanced air mobility technologies

[0002] The field of aerial vehicles has seen significant advancements in recent years, with a variety of technologies designed to enhance mobility and control. Traditional drones, such as fixed-wing and rotary-wing designs, have been widely used for applications ranging from photography and surveillance to recreational use. However, these systems often face limitations in terms of manoeuvrability, efficiency, and compactness.

[0003] In contrast, flapping-wing flight, which mimics the motion of birds and insects like bees and wasps, offers an alternative approach to aerial propulsion. This method of flight is characterized by the periodic upward and downward movement of wings, generating lift and thrust in a more energy-efficient manner compared to conventional rotary or fixed-wing aircraft. Flapping-wing flight has the potential to provide greater agility, improved energy efficiency, and enhanced control, particularly in constrained environments such as urban airspaces.

[0004] While various attempts have been made to design flapping-wing drones, most have focused on using mechanical or crankshaft-based systems to produce wing motion. These systems often struggle with scalability, precision, and energy consumption. Additionally, many existing designs rely on complex mechanical linkages or external power sources, which limit their performance and practicality for real-world applications.

[0005] The present invention addresses these challenges by employing electromagnets to control the up-and-down motion of the wings, offering precise and efficient flapping movement with minimal mechanical complexity. By utilizing electromagnets to attract and release metallic plates, the invention provides a highly adaptable and energy-efficient method of generating flight. This design can be used for a wide range of applications, including unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), personal flying devices, and next-generation drones for both recreational and commercial use.

[0006] This invention introduces an aerial device with flapping wings that emulate the flight patterns of bees and wasps. The device achieves flight through the up-and-down motion of wings, driven by an electromagnet-based mechanism. Each wing is connected to a metallic plate that moves over a fulcrum. The electromagnet, when powered, attracts the metallic plate, causing the wing to rise. When unpowered, a spring mechanism restores the plate to its initial position, allowing the wing to flap downward.

[0007] The system is controlled by a microcontroller that independently regulates three electromagnets, enabling precise control of wing flapping frequency and direction. By adjusting the flapping speed of individual wings, the device can maneuver in multiple directions, including forward, backward, upward, and laterally.

[0008] This invention offers an innovative approach to drone flight, combining compact design with the dynamic control capabilities inspired by natural insect flight.

[0009] Enhanced Agility and Precision: Mimics the natural flight of insects, providing highly maneuverable and stable flight in confined or complex environments.

[0010] Simplified Mechanism: Reduces mechanical components, such as crankshafts, leading to easier manufacturing, reduced maintenance, and lower overall costs.

[0011] Energy Efficiency: The combination of electromagnets and springs optimizes energy consumption, extending flight time and improving operational reliability.

[0012] Versatile Control: Offers a wide range of motion, including forward, backward, left, right, hovering, and vertical movement, enabling applications in diverse fields.

[0013] Scalable Design: The compact and lightweight configuration allows scalability for various sizes, from miniature drones to larger flapping wing devices.

[0014] Bio-Inspired Innovation: Provides a more natural and efficient flight mechanism, opening possibilities for ecological research, biomimicry studies, and educational purposes.

[0015] Some embodiments of the present invention are illustrated as an example and are not limited by the figures of the accompanying drawings, in which like references may indicate similar elements and in which:Fig.2

[0016] shows the process flow of the embodiment; this details how the whole invention will work.Fig.3

[0017] shows the process of how the embodiment will move left, right or forward.Fig.4

[0018] illustrates the electrical schematic to the electromagnets and how they are connected to the controller’s terminals.Fig.5

[0019] Illustrates the cross sectional side view of the invention; showing how the metallic plate will move before and after switching on the electromagnet.Fig.6

[0020] shows the front and side view of the electromagnet set up.Fig.7

[0021] shows the top view of the electromagnet set up.Fig.8

[0022] [Figure 8] shows view “Y” of. It shows the metallic plate set up.Fig.9

[0023] shows the cross section of the front and hind wings set up during flight.Fig.10

[0024] shows a front view cross section of the invention embodiment.Fig.11

[0025] shows a magnified view of. It shows a magnified view of the invention’s body.Fig.12

[0026] illustrates the wing set up of the embodiment. It shows the side view wing connection to the metallic plate.Fig.13

[0027] illustrates the top view connection of the wing to the metallic plate.Fig.14

[0028] shows the blown out ball joint 107 in.Fig.15

[0029] shows the operation of the embodiment. How the wing moves up upon switching on (or powering) of the electromagnetFig.16

[0030] shows a sketched version of the embodiment. It shows the top view of the embodiment and cross sectional side view.Fig.17

[0031] shows a cross sectional side view of the embodiment..Fig.18

[0032] shows the variant of the hind magnet with wings connected to the metallic plate.Fig.19

[0033] shows the variant of. It shows a front view cross section of the invention embodiment variant.Fig.20

[0034] shows the cross section of the front wings when flapping downwards.Fig.21

[0035] [Figure 21] shows the cross section of the front wings set up during upward flap.Fig.22

[0036] illustrates the cross sectional side view of the invention front magnet; showing how the metallic plate will move after switching the electromagnet ON. It shows how the metallic plate will be attracted by the electromagnet.Fig.23

[0037] [Figure 23] illustrates the cross sectional side view of the invention front magnet; showing how the metallic plate will be pulled back to its original horizontal position by the spring connected to it when the electromagnet is switched OFFFig.24

[0038] shows the connection that holds the metallic plate to the embodiment body.

[0039] Various embodiments of the invention are described in this section with reference to the accompanying attachments and or figures. The invention will mimic a wasp’s flight motion; and therefore, fly by flapping its wings.

[0040] shows the flow chart of the controls; controls are sent by a controller; and then through wireless transmission, like Bluetooth, input signals are received by the micro controller as shown in. The microcontroller then sends an output to the electromagnets 105, 104 and 103.

[0041] shows the periods of switching on and off the electromagnets 105, 104 and 103. A controller switches them when it sends a signal or voltage to the electromagnets. In the normal operation the electromagnet is switched on and off at the same time period t1. While in the fast operation, the time the electromagnet is off, t2 is smaller than when its on; i.e. an electromagnet is switched on faster with a very small time when its off. In the slow period, the electromagnet takes a longer time off, t3 than when its on.No.SpeedTime when off ( )Time when off ( )Remarks1Normal Operationt1 = t12Fast operationt2 > t2t1 > t23Slow operationt3 < t3t1 < t3

[0042] Electromagnets 103, 104 & 105 are connected to a controller as shown in. The positive terminals of the electromagnets are connected to terminals 008, 012 & 013 respectively; and the negative terminals to the ground “GND”. When a voltage is applied through the terminals, the electromagnet is switched ON; and when it is not applied, the electromagnet is switched off. Therefore, the controller switches the electromagnets 103, 104 & 105 on and off through those terminals.

[0043] The invention uses the lever system type of operation to cause a flapping of the wings. It is made up of a wing 102 on one end of the lever and a metallic strip 106 on the other end; wedged on a fulcrum 107 as shown in. The metallic strip or plate 106 is made of a ferromagnetic metal; and therefore can be attracted by magnets.

[0044] When the metallic strip 106 is pulled down, the wing 102 moves up. When the metallic strip 106 is pulled up, the wing 102 moves down. The metallic strips 110, 109 and 106 are attracted or pulled down by their respective electromagnets 105, 104 and 103; their respective springs or elastic wires 111, 112 and 101 are stretched at that point. The metallic plates 110, 109 and 106 are pulled back up by their springs 111, 112 and 101 attached to the metallic strip; when the electromagnet is not powered (see).

[0045] The force of the magnets 103, 104 & 105, is greater than the force in the springs 111,112 & 101, i.e.

[0046] where B is the magnetic field, I is the current through the electromagnet coil, and L is the length of cable of the electromagnet; k is young’s modulus, l is the length of cable or spring and x is the change in length of the cable.

[0047] The speed of flapping of the wings 114, 115 and 102 is regulated by controlling the speed or frequency of switching on and off the electromagnets 104, 105 & 103 respectively. the frequency is the period to switch on and switch off an electromagnet. Electromagnets can be switched in normal, fast or slow operation as shown in.

[0048] shows a side view of the electromagnets; before magnetization or switching ON of any electromagnet 103, 104 & 105, the metallic plate110, 109 or 106 remains in position E. And after magnetization, it moves to position F.

[0049] shows side cross section front wing 114, 115 and hind wing 102. The front wings 114 and 115 flap at an angle, ө with the horizontal plane as shown in; that would create the forward movement because of the resultant force of the flap. The resultant motion of the hind wing 102 after the flap is upwards; therefore, it would create lift causing the invention to move up or to remain stationary in the air.

[0050] The speed of the embodiment can be increased or reduced by increasing or reducing the time which electromagnets 104 and 103 are switched on or off (as shown in). The invention is controlled to move left by increasing the speed of flap of the left wing 114 relative to the right wing 115; therefore the wing 114 is controlled to flap in the fast operation (seeand) while wing 115 operates in normal operation or slow operation. The invention is controlled to move right by increasing the speed of flap of the right wing 115 relative to the left wing 114; therefore, the wing 115 is controlled to flap in the fast operation while wing 114 operates in normal operation or slow operation (see&).

[0051] The hind wing’s 102 flaps with a horizontal resultant as shown in. The body will be controlled to move up, stay stationary in the air or move down by operating the hind wing 102 in fast operation, normal operation or slow operation (see). Therefore, the hind magnet 103 would be controlled to operate in fast operation, normal operation or slow operation which would translate to its wing 102.

[0052] shows how the wings 114, 115 & 102 will be connected on the three metallic strips 110, 109 & 106). The joint 108 will enable the metallic strips to move up and down without pulling the wing inside the body 113; the metallic plates therefore keep their horizontal axis and not move out of position.shows the connection of the wing 102 to the body fulcrum 107; to the joint 108 that connects the wing 102 to the metallic strip 106. Joint 108 is of a bolt and nut type or riveted joint.

[0053] Features of the disclosed embodiment may be combined, rearranged, omitted, etc within the scope of the invention to produce additional embodiments. Furthermore, certain features may sometimes be used to advantage without a corresponding use of other features. Another alternative or variant is described below:

[0054] The embodiment has three magnets 103, 104 & 105, three metallic plates 110, 109 & 106, three springs 111,112 & 101 and two pair of wings 114, 115 & 102 as the one above. The electromagnets are switched on by a controller as the alternative above. The switching ON and OFF can also be varied asto control the speed, direction and lift of flight. The variant does not have joints 107 and 108.

[0055] The metallic plate 109 & 110 is attached to the embodiment body 113 at hinge 116. Therefore, the metallic plate can only move down along the hinged end 116 as shown inand.

[0056] When the electro-magnet 104 or 105 is switched ON, the unhinged end 118 is attracted to the electromagnet stretching the spring 112 as shown in. It makes the metallic plate 109 make an angle with the horizontal as shown in. The metallic plate is connected to the wing, and therefore, the wing 114, 115 or 102 also makes the same angle with the horizontal as shown in.

[0057] When the electro-magnet is switched OFF, the spring 112 contracts to its original length; pulling with it the metallic plate 109 as shown in Figure 223. The metallic plate 109 therefore goes back to its original horizontal position as shown in [Figure 23]. As such, the connected wing also goes back to the horizontal position as shown in [Figure 21].

Claims

A flapping wing aerial device, comprising:A body frame;At least one pair of wings pivotally connected to the body;Electromagnets configured to attract metallic plates connected to the wings;Springs to restore the metallic plates to their original position upon deactivation of the electromagnets; andA control system configured to regulate the activation and deactivation of the electromagnets to generate a flapping motion of the wings, enabling flight.The aerial deviceof claim 1, wherein the control system independently controls the flapping frequency and speed of individual wings to achieve directional movement, including forward, backward, left, right, vertical lift, hover, and descent.The aerial deviceof claim 1, further comprising:A wireless communication module for receiving external control signals that adjust the flight characteristics dynamically.The aerial deviceof claim 1, wherein the wings are mounted on a fulcrum to allow angular displacement, and the flapping motion mimics the flight dynamics of an insect, such as a bee or wasp.A method for operating a flapping wing aerial device, comprising:Activating electromagnets to attract metallic plates connected to wings, causing upward wing motion;Deactivating the electromagnets to allow springs to restore the plates, causing downward wing motion; andAdjusting the activation frequency and duration of the electromagnets to regulate flight characteristics, including speed, direction, and stability.The methodof claim 5, further comprising:Receiving wireless signals to dynamically control the flapping frequency and directional movement during flight.

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