Electric motor assisted takeoff device for an air vehicle
IPC분류정보
국가/구분
United States(US) Patent
등록
국제특허분류(IPC7판)
B64F-001/10
B64F-001/00
출원번호
US-0304535
(2005-12-16)
등록번호
US-7318565
(2008-01-15)
발명자
/ 주소
Page,Gregory S.
출원인 / 주소
ITT Manufacturing Enterprises, Inc.
대리인 / 주소
Edell, Shapiro & Finnan, LLC
인용정보
피인용 횟수 :
8인용 특허 :
2
초록▼
A takeoff assist device for an air vehicle, such as an unmanned air vehicle is provided. The device features an electric motor and is much less complex and lighter than takeoff assist devices heretofore known. A body member is shaped to fit to a portion of the air vehicle. The body member defines a
A takeoff assist device for an air vehicle, such as an unmanned air vehicle is provided. The device features an electric motor and is much less complex and lighter than takeoff assist devices heretofore known. A body member is shaped to fit to a portion of the air vehicle. The body member defines a housing in which the majority of the components are housed, including the electric motor, a motor controller, an electrical power source and a main controller. A propeller is attached to a shaft of the electric motor outside of the housing and rotates with a shaft of the electric motor. In addition, there is a latch mechanism that removeably attaches the body member to the host air vehicle for takeoff, and then is controlled to release from the air vehicle after it is airborne at a desired airspeed and altitude. The electric motor-driven takeoff assist device can launch an air vehicle with minimal auxiliary equipment and can be remotely controlled to launch from a site at which a takeoff ready vehicle can be left for extended periods of time.
대표청구항▼
What is claimed is: 1. A takeoff assisting device for an air vehicle comprising: a body member shaped to fit to a portion of the air vehicle, said body member defining a housing; an electric motor mounted in said housing; an attachment mechanism that removeably secures the body member to the portio
What is claimed is: 1. A takeoff assisting device for an air vehicle comprising: a body member shaped to fit to a portion of the air vehicle, said body member defining a housing; an electric motor mounted in said housing; an attachment mechanism that removeably secures the body member to the portion of the air vehicle; a propeller member attached to a shaft of said electric motor outside of said housing and to rotate with the shaft of the electric motor; at least one electrical power source that stores electrical energy used for driving said electric motor; and a controller in the housing that activates the electric motor to lift the air vehicle from rest into the air and subsequently controls the attachment mechanism to cause the body member to detach and fly away from the air vehicle under power of said electric motor. 2. The device of claim 1, wherein the body member is shaped to removeably fit over a nose portion of the air vehicle. 3. The device of claim 1, and further comprising a motor controller mounted in said housing that is electrically connected to said electric motor, wherein said controller generates a signal that connects electrical current stored in said electrical power source to said motor controller which generates a waveform that drives the electric motor. 4. The device of claim 3, wherein said attachment mechanism engages a structural element on said air vehicle to secure the device to said air vehicle. 5. The device of claim 4, wherein said attachment mechanism comprises an arm that rotates between the first position in which it engages the structural element and the second position in which it releases from the structural element on said air vehicle to permit the device to detach from said air vehicle, wherein the controller generates a signal to cause the attachment mechanism to move from the first position to the second position. 6. The device of claim 1, and further comprising a receiver device that receives a wireless signal from a remote transmitter device to permit remote actuation of said electric motor. 7. The device of claim 1, wherein the body member comprises a first portion that is conical shaped to follow the contour of a nose portion of the air vehicle. 8. The device of claim 7, wherein the body member comprises a second portion that is elongated and is shaped to follow a contour of a portion of a fuselage of the air vehicle. 9. The device of claim 8, wherein said attachment mechanism is positioned on said second portion of the body member and engages a structural element on said air vehicle to secure the device to said air vehicle, and further comprising a groove formed along said second portion of the body member leading to the attachment mechanism to receive said structural element on the air vehicle. 10. The device of claim 1, wherein the body member further comprises tab members suitable for engaging a track of a launch device. 11. The device of claim 1, wherein the electrical power source is at least one Lithium polymer battery. 12. The device of claim 1, and further comprising a motor controller in said housing that is electrically connected to said electric motor, wherein the motor controller converts electrical current stored by said electrical power source to a waveform for driving the electric motor at operating conditions above normal continuous operating conditions for the electric motor but for a relatively short period of time. 13. A takeoff assisting device for an unmanned air vehicle comprising: a. a body member shaped to removeably fit to a portion of the air vehicle, said body member defining a housing; b. an electric motor mounted in said housing; c. a propeller attached to said electric motor outside of said housing and which rotates with a shaft of the electric motor; d. at least one battery in said housing that stores electrical charge for driving said electric motor; e. an attachment mechanism that has a first position in which it engages a structural element on said air vehicle to secure the body member to said air vehicle and a second position in which it releases from the structural element on said air vehicle to permit the body member to detach from the air vehicle; and f. a controller in said housing, wherein the controller generates a start signal to actuate the electric motor to lift the air vehicle from rest into the air and subsequently generates a signal that causes said attachment mechanism to switch from said first position to said second position so that the device detaches and flies away from said air vehicle under propulsion of said electric motor. 14. The device of claim 13, wherein the body member has a portion that is shaped to removeably fit over a nose portion and a length of a fuselage of the air vehicle. 15. The device of claim 13, and further comprising a receiver device in said housing and coupled to said controller, wherein the receiver device receives a signal from a remote transmitter and in response thereto generates a trigger signal that is coupled to said controller, and wherein said programmable controller is responsive to said trigger signal to generate the start signal that actuates said electric motor. 16. The device of claim 13, wherein said body member comprises a slot formed on an exterior surface thereof that allows for passage of said structural element on said air vehicle. 17. The device of claim 13, wherein said attachment mechanism comprises an arm that rotates between the first position in which it engages the structural element and the second position in which it releases from the structural element on said air vehicle to permit the device to detach from said air vehicle. 18. The device of claim 13, and further comprising a motor controller connected to said electric motor and to said at least one battery, and wherein the motor controller is responsive to the start signal from the controller to convert electrical current stored by said at least one battery to produce a waveform for driving the electric motor. 19. The device of claim 18, wherein the motor controller converts electrical current stored by said at least one battery to the waveform for driving the electric motor at operating conditions above normal continuous operating conditions for the electric motor but for a relatively short period of time. 20. A takeoff assisting device for an unmanned air vehicle comprising: a. motor means for rotating a shaft under electrical power; b. propeller means coupled to the shaft for generating propulsion when driven by said motor means; c. means for storing electrical current for driving said motor means; d. controlling means that generates signals for controlling operation of said motor means; e. housing means for containing said motor means, said means for storing electrical charge and said controlling means; and f. means for removeably securing the housing means to the air vehicle; g. wherein the controlling means generates a signal to actuate the motor means to lift the air vehicle from rest into the air and subsequently generates a signal that causes said means for removeably securing to detach said housing means from said air vehicle so that the device flies away from said air vehicle under propulsion of said motor means. 21. The device of claim 20, wherein the housing means is defined by a body shell that is shaped to removeably fit over a nose portion and a length of a fuselage of the air vehicle. 22. The device of claim 20, and further comprising receiving means in said housing means and coupled to said controlling means, wherein the receiving means receives a signal from a remote transmitter and in response thereto generates a trigger signal that is coupled to said controlling means, and wherein said controlling means is responsive to said trigger signal to generate the signal that actuates said motor means. 23. The device of claim 20, and further comprising a motor controlling means connected to said motor means, and wherein the motor controlling means is responsive to a signal from said controlling means to convert electrical current supplied by said means for storing to a waveform for driving said motor means. 24. The device of claim 23, wherein the motor controlling means converts electrical current stored by said means for storing to produce the waveform for driving the motor means at operating conditions above normal continuous operating conditions for the electric motor but for a relatively short period of time. 25. A method for assisting in the takeoff of an air vehicle, comprising: a. placing a body member of a takeoff assist device over a portion of the air vehicle; b. securing the body member to an existing structural element of the air vehicle; c. actuating an electric motor contained in the body member with electrical current stored in at least one battery contained in said body member, so that the motor drives a propeller attached on an exterior of said body member to propel the air vehicle into the air; and d. releasing the body member from the air vehicle while the electric motor is still running so that the takeoff assist device flies off and away from the air vehicle after the air vehicle has been propelled into the air to a desired altitude and/or air speed. 26. The method of claim 25, wherein releasing comprises releases a latch member that engages the existing structural element of the air vehicle. 27. The method of claim 25, and further comprising sensing altitude and/or air speed, and wherein releasing is responsive to determining that the altitude and/or air speed of the air vehicle has reached desired levels. 28. The method of claim 25, and further comprising deactivating the electric motor a period of time after the body member has released from the air vehicle.
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이 특허에 인용된 특허 (2)
Dunn, James P., Fuel cell powered electric aircraft.
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