A method of harvesting and managing energy from air currents, by small unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) having a plurality of powered and unpowered rotors, to increase the aircraft's flight time, especially where the mission requires extensive hovering and loitering, is provided. Conventional powered rotors create lift for the aircraft. Unpowered rotors can either be: 1) Free-wheeling rotors which increase the plan form area of aircraft as they rotate, increasing lift, and reducing the power draw on the battery, and/or 2) Rotors connected to micro-generators, which serve as a brake on the unpowered rotors, create electrical power to charge the aircraft batteries or directly power the aircraft's electronics. The invention's folding rotor arm design results in a compact package that is easily transported by a single user (man portable). The aircraft can be removed from its protective tube, unfolded and launched for flight in less than a minute. Extended flight times, compact easily transported design, and ability to host flight software on a user's tablet/PC result in low total cost of ownership.


    Access

    Download


    Export, share and cite



    Title :

    UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEM (UAS) WITH ACTIVE ENERGY HARVESTING AND POWER MANAGEMENT


    Contributors:

    Publication date :

    2017-10-19


    Type of media :

    Patent


    Type of material :

    Electronic Resource


    Language :

    English


    Classification :

    IPC:    B64C AEROPLANES , Flugzeuge / B64D Ausrüstung für Flugzeuge , EQUIPMENT FOR FITTING IN OR TO AIRCRAFT / G05D SYSTEMS FOR CONTROLLING OR REGULATING NON-ELECTRIC VARIABLES , Systeme zum Steuern oder Regeln nichtelektrischer veränderlicher Größen



    Unmanned aircraft system (UAS) with active energy harvesting and power management

    ROLLEFSTAD SCOTT B | European Patent Office | 2016

    Free access

    Unmanned aircraft system (UAS) with active energy harvesting and power management

    ROLLEFSTAD SCOTT B / WASZCZAK JOHN P | European Patent Office | 2018

    Free access

    Energy Harvesting and Mission Effectiveness for Small Unmanned Aircraft

    McLain, T. / Cutler, M. / Capozzi, B. et al. | British Library Conference Proceedings | 2010


    Energy Harvesting and Mission Effectiveness for Small Unmanned Aircraft

    Cutler, Mark / McLain, Tim / Beard, Randal et al. | AIAA | 2010


    Aircraft energy harvesting system

    HILLER NATHAN D | European Patent Office | 2022

    Free access