Vertical take-off and landing method for fixed-wing aircraft

Abstract

The invention provides a vertical take-off and landing method for a fixed-wing aircraft, and provides an innovative vertical take-off and landing platform to help the fixed-wing aircraft take off and land. The method comprises the steps that a vertical take-off and landing platform carries a loaded fixed-wing aircraft to vertically take off and lift off from the ground until the fixed-wing aircraft reaches a preset height; then, the vertical take-off and landing platform carries the fixed-wing aircraft to accelerate to a specified speed, so that the fixed-wing aircraft obtains a specified initial speed, and then the carried fixed-wing aircraft is released; the fixed-wing aircraft is formally started at a certain initial speed and at a corresponding height, and cruise flight is carried out according to a preset route and speed; after the fixed-wing aircraft successfully arrives at a target airspace, the vertical take-off and landing platform located at the target land lifts off, and while the fixed-wing aircraft is accurately captured, the fixed-wing aircraft shuts down a power device of the fixed-wing aircraft; and finally, the vertical take-off and landing platform can stably descend the fixed-wing aircraft and the load thereof to the ground according to a preset flight path.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to the technical field of unmanned aerial vehicles, and in particular proposes an innovative multi-rotor vertical take-off and landing platform to help fixed-wing aircraft take off and land. Background Art

[0002] At present, the vertical take-off and landing fixed-wing UAVs under development at home and abroad are still tilt-rotor and tail-seat as the mainstream configurations, but because the existing technology cannot meet the extremely high requirements of future transportation for the rapid response and rapid arrival capabilities of vertical take-off and landing UAVs, it is necessary to further break through and innovate on the basis of existing achievements. As electric propulsion technology gradually demonstrates its unparalleled potential in aircraft overall, aerodynamics, power, and control, high-speed vertical take-off and landing fixed-wing UAV technology based on distributed electric propulsion may become a new hot spot in the future aviation field, but the evolution and maturity of technology require a certain period of time to verify, and reliability also requires a long time to verify. Therefore, how to make fixed-wing aircraft take off and land efficiently in limited ground space has become a problem to be solved. Summary of the invention

[0003] The present invention describes an efficient and easy-to-implement method: vertical take-off and landing of a fixed-wing aircraft by carrying a multi-rotor vertical take-off and landing platform.

[0004] The fixed-wing aircraft is an unmanned electric aircraft with a transmission pneumatic layout, and is equipped with a mechanical device that can be connected to a vertical take-off and landing platform.

[0005] A vertical take-off and landing platform is a type of unmanned aircraft that relies on four or more rotors to provide the power required for take-off. The platform can lift heavier loads vertically from the ground into the air, while also giving the loads a certain horizontal speed, and can release the loads in a timely manner according to the instructions of the control system. At the same time, the platform also has the ability to capture and carry loads with a specific flight speed in the air, and then deliver them to the ground safely through vertical movement.

[0006] In addition, as the core control system of the vertical take-off and landing platform, the docking and separation control system plays two key roles: one is to accurately control the lifting and lowering process of the platform; the other is to use specific mechanical devices to achieve separation or capture operations from fixed-wing aircraft.

[0007] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following beneficial effects:

[0008] 1. The vertical take-off and landing of fixed-wing aircraft is achieved by combining fixed-wing aircraft with vertical take-off and landing platforms, which reduces the difficulty of research and development of vertical take-off and landing aircraft.

[0009] 2. The vertical take-off and landing platform provides energy for the aircraft and its payload during the lifting and lowering phases, saving the aircraft’s energy to a certain extent, thereby increasing the aircraft’s flight distance or payload.

[0010] 3. This method uses a vertical take-off and landing platform to assist fixed-wing aircraft in vertical take-off and landing, reduces the aircraft's dependence on runways, and reduces the area and airspace required for take-off and landing. It can avoid the construction of airports with runways to a certain extent and save the cost of infrastructure construction. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a fixed-wing aircraft and its load in the method for vertical take-off and landing of a fixed-wing aircraft of the present invention;

[0012] Figure 2 It is a schematic diagram of a vertical take-off and landing platform in the method for vertical take-off and landing of a fixed-wing aircraft of the present invention;

[0013] Figure 3 It is a schematic flow chart of a method for vertical take-off and landing of a fixed-wing aircraft according to the present invention;

[0014] Figure 4 The present invention is a schematic diagram of the vertical take-off and landing process of the method for vertical take-off and landing of a fixed-wing aircraft.

[0015] Numbers in the figure:

[0016] ① The process and procedure of synchronous take-off of the vertical take-off and landing platform and the fixed-wing aircraft;

[0017] ② After reaching the specified height, the vertical take-off and landing platform and the fixed-wing aircraft fly horizontally synchronously, and the fixed-wing aircraft completes the initialization process and obtains the horizontal speed process;

[0018] ③ The fixed-wing aircraft reaches the horizontal speed standard, leaves the vertical take-off and landing platform, and then flies according to the planned process;

[0019] ④ The process and procedure of the vertical take-off and landing platform detecting the departure of the fixed-wing, returning and landing;

[0020] ⑤ The process and procedures of autonomous cruising of fixed-wing aircraft;

[0021] ⑥ The process and procedure of a fixed-wing aircraft sending a landing request to a vertical take-off and landing platform;

[0022] ⑦ The process and procedure of the vertical take-off and landing platform flying to the designated point;

[0023] ⑧The process and procedure of the fixed-wing aircraft and the vertical take-off and landing platform docking in the air and synchronously decelerating in the horizontal direction;

[0024] ⑨After the horizontal speed reaches zero, the process and procedure of the vertical take-off and landing platform carrying a fixed-wing aircraft for vertical landing. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025] The following will be combined with the drawings in the embodiments of the present invention to clearly and completely describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present invention, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without creative work are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0026] The present invention provides a method for vertical take-off and landing of a fixed-wing aircraft, and the components of the embodiment refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 , divided into fixed-wing aircraft and their payloads and multi-rotor vertical take-off and landing platforms. The system's operating process covers the following key steps:

[0027] S01: Ground loading and flight preparation

[0028] During the ground operation phase, the vertical take-off and landing platform takes on the task of loading the fixed-wing electric aircraft and its payload. For fixed-wing aircraft, the GPS coordinate setting operation of the target address must be completed to give it autonomous flight capabilities, that is, when the trigger conditions are met, the aircraft can achieve autonomous navigation and accurately fly to the target airspace based on the preset route planning. This stage aims to ensure that the fixed-wing aircraft has a clear flight direction and mission planning during the subsequent take-off and flight process.

[0029] S02: Vertical lift to the designated altitude

[0030] refer to Figure 3 and Figure 4 After completing the loading preparation in Phase 1 and Phase 2, the vertical take-off and landing platform immediately starts the lift-off procedure, relying on its own power system to drive the loaded fixed-wing aircraft to take off smoothly from the ground in a vertical direction. During the flight, the precise altitude control system is used to make it continue to rise until it reaches a pre-set specific altitude value. This altitude setting is based on the needs of subsequent flight missions and the consideration of collaborative operations with other links, providing suitable initial conditions for the subsequent release of fixed-wing aircraft.

[0031] S03: Accelerate and release fixed-wing aircraft

[0032] refer to Figure 3 and Figure 4In stage 3 and stage 4, when the vertical take-off and landing platform and the fixed-wing aircraft climb to the specified height, the acceleration program is started according to the flight direction parameters pre-set by the system. Through precise control of the power output, the platform is accelerated to the preset specified speed. Under this speed condition, according to the established release mechanism, the platform will smoothly release the loaded fixed-wing aircraft, free it from the platform restraints and enter an independent flight state. The release process must ensure that the fixed-wing aircraft obtains a suitable initial flight state, including speed, attitude and other factors, to ensure the stability and accuracy of its subsequent autonomous flight.

[0033] S04: Fixed-wing aircraft autonomous cruising

[0034] refer to Figure 3 and Figure 4 In stage 5 of the release, the fixed-wing aircraft immediately starts the autonomous cruise mode with its own flight control system and the initial velocity and corresponding altitude obtained at the moment of release. In this mode, the aircraft makes real-time adjustments based on the pre-set route planning and speed parameters through the built-in navigation system and flight control algorithm to ensure accurate and stable cruise flight along the established path. During this process, the aircraft continuously monitors and adjusts its flight status to respond to various external interference factors that may arise and maintain the smooth progress of the flight mission.

[0035] S05: Docking and landing in target airspace

[0036] refer to Figure 3 and Figure 4 In stage 6 to stage 9, when the fixed-wing aircraft successfully arrives at the target airspace according to the preset route, the vertical take-off and landing platform located at the target site immediately starts the lift operation. The docking and separation control system of the platform is activated synchronously, and the flight attitude and position of the platform are precisely adjusted through high-precision sensors and advanced control algorithms to achieve precise capture of the fixed-wing aircraft entering the target airspace. At the moment of capture, the fixed-wing aircraft shuts down its own power unit according to the preset procedure to ensure the safety of the collaborative operation with the vertical take-off and landing platform. Subsequently, the vertical take-off and landing platform uses its own perfect landing control system according to the pre-planned landing flight trajectory to smoothly and orderly lower the captured fixed-wing aircraft and its load to the ground. At this point, the entire flight control process has been successfully completed, realizing the full chain of precise operations from ground loading to air transportation to landing at the target site.

[0037] Although the spirit and principle of the present invention have been described with reference to several specific embodiments, it should be understood that the present invention is not limited to the disclosed specific embodiments, and the division of various aspects does not mean that the features in these aspects cannot be combined to benefit, and such division is only for the convenience of expression. The present invention is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements contained in the spirit and scope of the attached claims.

[0038] Regarding the limitation of the protection scope of the present invention, those skilled in the art should understand that, based on the technical solution of the present invention, various modifications or variations that can be made by those skilled in the art without creative work are still within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A method for vertical take-off and landing of a fixed-wing aircraft, characterized in that: The method includes: When on the ground, the vertical take-off and landing platform will load the fixed-wing electric aircraft and the load it carries. During this process, the GPS coordinates of the target address will be set for the fixed-wing aircraft, so that it has the ability to carry out autonomous flight after being triggered, and can smoothly fly to the target airspace according to the preset route; the vertical take-off and landing platform will carry the loaded fixed-wing aircraft to take off vertically from the ground until it reaches a pre-specified height; then, the vertical take-off and landing platform will accelerate in the direction set by the system until it reaches the specified speed, and then release the fixed-wing aircraft it carries; the released fixed-wing aircraft will officially start with a certain initial velocity and at a corresponding height, and then it will carry out autonomous cruising flight according to the predetermined route and speed; when the fixed-wing aircraft successfully arrives at the target airspace, the vertical take-off and landing platform located at the target will be lifted off, and the docking and separation control system of the platform will play a role, accurately controlling the platform to capture the fixed-wing aircraft. At the same time, the fixed-wing aircraft will shut down its own power unit, and finally, the vertical take-off and landing platform will smoothly lower the fixed-wing aircraft and its load to the ground according to the predetermined flight trajectory.

2. A method for fixed-wing vertical take-off and landing according to claim 1, characterized in that: The steps of the method described are: S01: During the ground operation phase, the vertical take-off and landing platform undertakes the loading task of the fixed-wing electric aircraft and its payload. For the fixed-wing aircraft, the GPS coordinate setting operation of the target address needs to be completed to give it the ability to fly autonomously. That is, when the trigger conditions are met, the aircraft can realize autonomous navigation and accurately fly to the target airspace according to the preset route planning. This stage aims to ensure that the fixed-wing aircraft has a clear flight direction and mission planning during the subsequent take-off and flight process; S02: After completing the loading preparation, the vertical take-off and landing platform immediately starts the lift-off procedure, relying on its own power system to drive the loaded fixed-wing aircraft to take off vertically from the ground smoothly. During the flight, through the precise altitude control system, it continues to rise until it reaches a pre-set specific altitude value. This altitude setting is based on the needs of subsequent flight missions and the consideration of collaborative operations with other links, providing suitable initial conditions for the subsequent release of fixed-wing aircraft; S03: When the vertical take-off and landing platform climbs to the specified height with the fixed-wing aircraft, the acceleration program is started according to the flight direction parameters preset by the system. Through precise control of the power output, the platform is accelerated to the preset specified speed. Under this speed condition, according to the established release mechanism, the platform smoothly releases the loaded fixed-wing aircraft, freeing it from the platform and entering an independent flight state. The release process must ensure that the fixed-wing aircraft obtains a suitable initial flight state, including speed, attitude and other factors, to ensure the stability and accuracy of its subsequent autonomous flight; S04: After being released, the fixed-wing aircraft immediately starts the autonomous cruise mode with its own flight control system and the initial velocity and corresponding altitude obtained at the moment of release. In this mode, the aircraft makes real-time adjustments based on the pre-set route planning and speed parameters through the built-in navigation system and flight control algorithm to ensure that it can cruise accurately and stably along the established path. During this process, the aircraft continuously monitors and adjusts its flight status to respond to various possible external interference factors and maintain the smooth progress of the flight mission. S05: When the fixed-wing aircraft successfully arrives at the target airspace according to the preset route, the vertical take-off and landing platform located at the target site immediately starts the lift operation, and the docking and separation control system of the platform is activated synchronously. Through high-precision sensors and advanced control algorithms, the flight attitude and position of the platform are precisely adjusted to achieve the precise capture operation of the fixed-wing aircraft entering the target airspace. At the moment of capture, the fixed-wing aircraft shuts down its own power device according to the preset procedure to ensure the safety of the coordinated operation with the vertical take-off and landing platform. Subsequently, the vertical take-off and landing platform uses its own perfect landing control system according to the pre-planned landing flight trajectory to smoothly and orderly lower the captured fixed-wing aircraft and its payload to the ground. At this point, the entire flight control process has been successfully completed, realizing the full chain of precise operations from ground loading to air transportation to landing at the target site.

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