Toroidal Ducted UAV for Pocket-Sized VTOL Flight Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) require components like fuel tanks and exposed deflection assemblies that contribute to their mass and size, limiting their portability and versatility.
Innovation Solution
A compact, lightweight UAV design featuring a toroidal fuselage with a central duct for airflow, equipped with retractable flight control surfaces and actuators for vertical take-off and landing, and a multipurpose video capture system that can be controlled via a handheld device, including sensors and cameras for various applications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If fuel tanks and exposed deflection assemblies are used in UAV design, then thrust generation and flight control capabilities are achieved, but the overall mass and size of the UAV increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the fuel tank from the UAV system by using a fixed-wing design that relies on battery-powered motors for thrust generation. This eliminates the need for carrying fuel, significantly reducing the overall mass of the moving UAV while maintaining flight control capabilities through electric propulsion systems and aerodynamic lift.
2Force
If fuel tanks and exposed deflection assemblies are used in UAV design, then thrust generation and flight control capabilities are achieved, but the overall size of the UAV increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes exposed deflection assemblies by integrating flight control surfaces directly into the fixed-wing structure. The wings themselves serve as the primary control surfaces, eliminating the need for separate exposed deflection mechanisms. This integration reduces the overall volume of the UAV while maintaining effective flight control through aerodynamic principles.
3Weight of moving object
If the UAV is designed to be compact and lightweight for pocket storage, then portability is improved, but thrust generation and flight control capabilities may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces heavy mechanical thrust generation systems with lightweight electric motors powered by batteries. This substitution enables the UAV to generate sufficient thrust for flight while maintaining a compact, lightweight design suitable for pocket storage. The electric propulsion system provides adequate force generation without the mass penalty of fuel tanks and complex mechanical deflection assemblies.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables the UAV to be stored in a pocket, providing efficient vertical take-off and landing capabilities, and allows for versatile use in surveillance, security, and maintenance tasks with real-time image capture and analysis.
Implementation Method 1
The directed air flow creates a reactionary thrust-force for substantially vertical take-off and landing of the UAV
Implementation Method 2
at least two flight control surfaces that can independently, or together, change the direction, pressure and rate of the directed air as it flows through the duct
Data Source
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AI summary
A lightweight, pocket-sized unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) that can be held in an outstretched hand by a user for take-off and landing of the UAV. The UAV comprises a semi-toroidal or a substantially toroidal hollow body that defines a duct. The UAV further comprises a motor for rotating a fan that directs air into and out of the duct enabling the UAV to take flight. The UAV comprises a flight-control system that comprises at least two flight control surfaces that can alter the directed air as it flows through the duct for controlling the roll and pitch and optionally the yaw of the UAV during flight. The flight control system may be controlled by a microprocessor controller. The UAV further comprises a payload, with at least a wireless transmitter and receiver unit.