FR2859455A1 - Drone for civil or military mission, has egg-beater rotors applying thrust forces on gimbal joint which enables back and forth movement of rotors around two axis for positioning center of forces near center of gravity of drone - Google Patents

Abstract

The drone has egg-beater rotors placed in a drone body (1) and applying thrust forces on a gimbal joint. The gimbal joint is connected to a push bar situated between rotational planes of rotors. The gimbal joint enables back and forth movement of the rotors around two axes in a separate and simultaneous manner to position the center of thrust forces of the rotors near center of gravity of the drone.

Description

- 1 -

  The present invention relates to a counter-rotating rotor drone placed in a vein of air, and whose thrust of the rotors is applied to a cardan joint 'connected to a push bar' located between the rotational planes of the rotors.

  Drones can be classified into two main categories.

  - Those capable of flying due to their horizontal speed, (Fixed Wing Type) These drones can not be used in confined spaces or confined spaces. They are stable in translation but are incapable of hovering.

  -These capable of performing stationary flights and translations, (Type helicopters, rotary wing) These drones can be used in confined environments or restricted spaces. They are usually difficult to control and implement because unstable.

  The drone object of the invention allows translational and stationary flights. The cardan device 'which connects the rotors to the push bar' makes it possible to tilt the set of contrarotating rotors around two axes (orthogonal or not) separately and / or simultaneously. This concept makes it possible to put the drone in translational movements in all directions according to the tilts imposed on the rotors. It also allows to position on demand the center of gravity of the drone relative to the center of thrust of the rotors. This reduces the effect of pendulum reactions due to external influences such as gusts of wind, shocks, etc., which are one of the instabilities of helicopters. The drone therefore has a better stability than that of helicopter type drones, while retaining the ability to translate in all directions. This stability reduces the learning time, facilitates its management and its implementation. - 2

  The proposed solution consists in the use for the lift and the translations, of a system of counter-rotating rotors whose thrust of the rotors is applied on a joint with the cardan 'incorporated in a bar of push' located between the planes of rotation rotors.

  Altitude changes are achieved by increases or decreases in rotational speeds of the rotors.

  The translations, lateral and longitudinal, result from horizontal components of forces generated by the inclination of the rotors around the tilting axes provided by the cardan device incorporated in the push bar.

  The rotation of the drone around its vertical axis is obtained by differences in power applied to the rotors, which generates differences between their respective reaction torques and turn the drone in one direction or the other. The rotors are driven by one or more pairs of motors installed in diametrically opposed and symmetrical positions, this disposition cancels the torque reversals induced by the motors themselves.

  According to particular embodiments: - the rotation of the drone around its vertical axis can be improved by the use of flaps placed in the lower part of the air stream and deflecting the jet at the output of the lower rotor.

  - The rotors can be driven separately by independent devices, or simultaneously through a common mechanical transmission.

  the take-offs and landings of the drone on inclined surfaces, without modifying the attitude of the rotors, can be achieved by the addition of a second articulation to the external cardan with respect to which the thrust bar freely oscillates, this outer hinge supporting the movable part of the lower air duct (17) does not influence the attitude position of the rotors.

  The accompanying drawings illustrate the invention. Figure 1 shows the drone seen from above.

  FIG. 2 represents the drone in section AA as specified in FIG.

  Figure 3 shows the drone in section AA as shown in Figure 1 with the variant with the flaps deviators.

  Figure 4 shows the drone BB section with the variant with the flaps deviators.

  FIG. 5 shows the drone in section AA with the variant with the cardan joint on the lower part of the mobile air vein (17). FIG. 6 shows the drone seen from above with the variant with the external cardan joint 'on the lower part of the movable air duct (17) With reference to these drawings, the body of the drone (1) serves as a vein of air and receives the parts (2) and (3) forming a push bar 'placed in a diameter. This push bar serves as an anchor point for tilting the rotors around the axis YY '. At its center this push bar 'comprises the bearings (4) and (5) whose spacing gives way to the universal joint' (6) This cardan nut 'oscillates around the axis XX' with respect to the body of the drone (1) It receives the piece (7) which oscillates around the axis' YY 'and also serves as anchor point to the control of the rotors around the axis XX'. The piece (7) can oscillate around the axes' YY 'and XX' relative to the body of the drone (1). The part (7) supports the motors (8) and (9) as well as the axes (10) and (11) of the rotors. The blades (14) are driven by the hubs (12) to which they are connected. The independent jet deflector flaps (15) and (16) pivot about the axis ZZ 'in opposite directions according to the desired direction of rotation of the drone.

  In the variant illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6, the mobile air duct (17), articulated on the axes MM 'and' NN ', adapts to the configuration of inclined floors during take-offs or landings, without modifying the rotors plate.

  The dimensions of the drone (about 0.60 meters in diameter and 0.20 meters high), the number of blades, the number of engines are not limiting.

  The drone according to the invention can be used in open or confined spaces, for civilian or military missions, depending on its size, the number of blades, the power of the engines and associated equipment.

  The device according to the invention is particularly intended for: observation or monitoring.

-the taking of samples.

- direct intervention.

- detection.

Claims (4)

  1) Drone characterized in that it comprises counter-rotating rotors placed in a vein of air (1), and whose thrust of the rotors is applied to a cardan joint 'connected to a push bar' located between the rotational planes of the rotors.   2) Device according to claim 1 characterized in that it comprises motors (8) and (9) arranged in diametrically opposed pairs.   3) Device according to any one of the preceding claims characterized in that it comprises deflecting flaps (15) and (16).   4) Device according to any one of the preceding claims characterized in that it comprises a movable lower air duct (17) 15 pivoting about the axes of an outer gimbal.