A dual-function landing gear and rotor protector for a UAV
A dual-function landing gear and rotor protector for a UAV
An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) includes at least one rotor 6 driven by a motor 4 that is mounted to a housing 12. A dual-function member is connected to the housing and comprises an arm 8 and a beam 10. The dual-function member is movable between a first position where it acts as a landing gear and a second position where it acts as a rotor protector. A control means is arranged to control movement of the member. The control means may include a processor (40, fig 5) and a sensor (44, fig 5) for determining height from ground. The processor may determine to move the member to one or other of the positions based on the height of the UAV. Reconfiguration of the landing gear as a rotor protector prevents the view of a camera carried by the UAV from being obscured and allows a strong and light rotor protector without significant added weight. A rotor protector or landing gear may include a dampening means to absorb forces of impact.
1015922.6
28 March 2012
Irps, Thomas
6ccb2786-5f5a-4b37-9ca8-608caa76725f
Prior, Stephen D.
9c753e49-092a-4dc5-b4cd-6d5ff77e9ced
Irps, Thomas and Prior, Stephen D.
(Inventors)
(2012)
A dual-function landing gear and rotor protector for a UAV.
1015922.6.
Abstract
An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) includes at least one rotor 6 driven by a motor 4 that is mounted to a housing 12. A dual-function member is connected to the housing and comprises an arm 8 and a beam 10. The dual-function member is movable between a first position where it acts as a landing gear and a second position where it acts as a rotor protector. A control means is arranged to control movement of the member. The control means may include a processor (40, fig 5) and a sensor (44, fig 5) for determining height from ground. The processor may determine to move the member to one or other of the positions based on the height of the UAV. Reconfiguration of the landing gear as a rotor protector prevents the view of a camera carried by the UAV from being obscured and allows a strong and light rotor protector without significant added weight. A rotor protector or landing gear may include a dampening means to absorb forces of impact.
Text
GB2483881A.pdf
- Version of Record
More information
Published date: 28 March 2012
Organisations:
Computational Engineering & Design Group
Identifiers
Local EPrints ID: 350816
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/350816
PURE UUID: 6256f357-1a34-4ee3-a6c8-e88a08932323
Catalogue record
Date deposited: 11 Apr 2013 09:13
Last modified: 15 Mar 2024 03:45
Export record
Contributors
Inventor:
Thomas Irps
Download statistics
Downloads from ePrints over the past year. Other digital versions may also be available to download e.g. from the publisher's website.
View more statistics
