Solution for improved controllability of hang gliders with flexible surfaces in a reduced scale as a remote-controlled model (RC hang glider)

Abstract

Control mechanism for RC hang gliders, characterized in that the pilot's suspension as a swivel mechanism is actively swiveled around the longitudinal axis of the kite by a servo rigidly attached to the keel tube, whereby the pilot is flexibly connected to the swivel mechanism (Fig. 1 + Fig. 2)

Description

[0001] The control of a typical hang glider (hereinafter also referred to as "kite") with a flexible wing is not achieved directly through aerodynamic influences (e.g., ailerons) as with fixed-wing aircraft, but only indirectly through weight shifting. Because the pilot's weight is shifted, placing greater weight on one side, the structure of the hang glider is significantly and essentially altered in such a way that the sail curves more strongly on the loaded side, the wing geometry changes, and changes in lift and drag occur: the aircraft turns to that side until the pilot applies an opposing impulse.

[0002] To achieve the best possible flight performance, it is important to keep the wing profile as rigid as possible. There are also devices that allow for variable wing tension to change flight performance by increasing the aileron tension, thus increasing the leading edge angle and wing cloth tension (variable geometry = VG). However, this change is usually accompanied by a further deterioration in controllability. State of the art control of conventional hang gliders and conventional RC hang gliders

[0003] The hang glider pilot is suspended freely and flexibly at the center of gravity with a special harness. The pilot uses a triangular control bar ("trapeze"). This consists of two control bar tubes, which are firmly connected to the hang glider at the top near the center of gravity by the central "keel tube," and at the bottom by another tube, the "base," which the pilot holds with his hands during flight.

[0004] Today, pilots typically fly lying on their stomachs. If they do not intervene, they ideally fly in a stable, straight line. They hold the base firmly with their hands. Moving the body shifts the body weight from its stable position, and the center of gravity shifts, particularly relative to the center of effort (an imaginary ideal of lift). If the center of gravity shifts forward (pulling on the base), the hang glider follows a downward motion; pushing reverses this motion. If the body is moved sideways, the center of gravity shifts to the respective side, and the hang glider rotates in that direction. The problem

[0005] The aim for effective control, especially lateral control, must therefore be to move the entire body parallel from the center in order to use as much of the pilot's weight as possible for control.

[0006] Over the past 30 years or so, many attempts have been made to make an RC hang glider controllable. However, gravity-controlled solutions have so far only copied the original, using the pilot and their connection to the base via their arms to apply force to shift the center of gravity. This shift was not achieved as effectively as possible by parallel movement, but rather by twisting the pilot's body, and certainly not by a combination of parallel movement and additional twisting. Utility model application

[0007] However, when a hang glider is reduced in size, the proportions between length, area and weight change as follows (approximate example): span Area Pilot weight Original 10,60 m 15-16 sqm 100 kg M1:3 3.53 m 1.9 sqm 4-6 kg

[0008] This reduces the effectiveness of pure gravity control in the RC hang glider and it is particularly important to use as much weight as possible for control.

[0009] The new control mechanism solves this problem: a newly developed "rigid swivel element" is mounted on a rotatable upper end and is moved by an electromechanical element ("servo") in such a way that the pilot's body is moved sideways out of the center of gravity, allowing a larger part of the pilot's weight to be swiveled out of the center of gravity. Invention: a new control mechanism for RC hang gliders

[0010] The control mechanism is characterized by the pilot (6) hanging from a novel rigid pivoting element (3, 3a, 3b) that is pivotally suspended around the keel tube (2). This is actively pivoted by a servo (4) rigidly attached to the keel tube. The pilot pivots from the center and parallel to the direction of flight, thus deflecting the pilot's body parallel to the direction of flight. The pilot is flexibly connected to the pivoting element at the lower end by a flexible connecting element (5; e.g., a sturdy textile strap), so that the horizontal posture of the pilot's body is maintained. The pilot's arms are connected via a parallelogram ( Fig.7) is connected to the base in such a way that the lateral force keeps the body parallel and also allows the servo arms (8, 9) connected to the parallelogram (10, 11, 12) to exert force, so that the movements "parallel displacement" and "twisting of the pilot's body" and / or "moving the pilot's body back and forth" can also be carried out. The essential difference is that - unlike the original hang glider and previous RC hang glider solutions - the force for the lateral pilot movement does not come from the pilot, but the force comes from the hang glider - the servo and the swivel device are connected to the hang glider, with the swivel device being rotatably mounted.

[0011] There are several variations possible, which are set out in the following claims: List of reference symbols 1 tower 2 keel tube 3 swivel levers 3a Swivel lever for servo installation 3b Swing lever for secondary shaft 3c Anchor lever (rigid) 4 servos 5 flexible pilot suspension 6 Pilot 7 Secondary shaft 8 Servo right pilot arm (seen in flight direction) 9 Servo left pilot arm (seen in flight direction) 10 parallel arm 11 Control bar base 12 parallel holders

Claims

[1] Control mechanism for RC hang gliders, characterized by that the pilot's suspension as a swivel mechanism is actively swiveled around the longitudinal axis of the kite by a servo rigidly attached to the keel tube, whereby the pilot is flexibly connected to the swivel mechanism ( Fig. 1 + Fig. 2) [2] Control mechanism for RC hang gliders, characterized by that the pilot's suspension as a swivel mechanism is actively swivelled around the longitudinal axis of the kite by a servo built into the swivel mechanism against an anchor lever rigidly connected to the hang glider, whereby the pilot is flexibly connected to the swivel mechanism ( Fig. 3 + Fig. 4) [3] Control mechanism for RC hang gliders, characterized byThe pilot's suspension is mounted as a pivoting mechanism around a second secondary shaft running parallel to the keel tube below. The pivoting mechanism is actively pivoted around the secondary shaft by a servo rigidly attached to the keel tube, with the pilot flexibly connected to the pivoting mechanism. Fig. 5+ Fig. 6) The servo and secondary shaft can also be installed in a "control housing" that is clamped to the keel tube, which provides better installation and maintenance properties. [4] In addition to claim 3, the secondary shaft is designed as a thread, and the rigid pivoting element is mounted by a threaded bushing that can be rotated on the thread of the secondary shaft; this allows for a continuous shift or adjustment of the center of gravity by rotating the secondary shaft. (not illustrated)

Images