FR3052748A1 - DRONE TAKE-OFF AND LANDING ASSEMBLY - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention is a take-off and landing interface for rotary wing drones from a mobile and unstable platform. The invention relates to a light and inflatable device limiting the effects of the swell during the landing and landing phases of drones at sea. It consists of a frustoconical frame attached to the drone (4) and an inflatable structure circular fixed to the bridge by a system of straps and hooks (9) and consisting of two parts: - 1 high inflatable part (6) and deformable - 1 low compartmentable part (5) comprising the central landing well (8) for stall the drone. The two parts are compartmentalized by a subdivision valve (11) and are inflated by an integrated pump (10). A smooth and slippery material web connects the upper part to the central landing well and forms a funnel (7) which makes it possible to slide the drone during the descent towards the central well (8) whose V shape will block the drone vertically.

Description

The present invention relates to a device allowing a counter-rotating rotary wing drone to safely land on a moving and mobile surface such as the deck of a boat at sea. This device is in two parts: a male part fixed on the train landing of the drone which is frustoconical tip down, and an inflatable part attached to the pool-shaped bridge with a funnel in the middle. It makes it possible to stabilize the drone in the final landing phase, by allowing it to slide towards the inside of the pool by avoiding it to tilt thus limiting the impact of the movements due to the sea (pitch, roll).

Currently, only very large drones, and a very complex technology, so very expensive, are able to land in automatic flight mode on the deck of a moving ship, because the final phase of touch requires a capacity of Very precise altitude management in view of the displacement of the platform in the 3 dimensions. This technology is not controlled by many UAV manufacturers, and is very expensive. The invention makes it possible to open the deck to the rotating wing drones on any mobile platform having sufficient space to receive it. This allows boats of modest size to be able to carry a drone without modification of their structures (platforms, bridges). It is implemented by 2 people, without the necessary lifting system and its fixing on the bridge does not call for structural modifications. Its reduced size once deflated and folded allows easy storage.

The proposed system is composed of two parts: a first male part is a frustoconical landing interface fixed to the drone. This system will be specific to the drone used and may be deployable and retractable. The frustoconical shape will allow the stabilization of the drone in the female part of the invention: the landing pool. This landing pool is inflatable and cylindrical, the interior is a funnel-shaped, with a vertical cylindrical hole in the center for the evacuation of water and the installation of a reference system specific to the drone for its guidance. automatic landing. This pool is divided into 2 inflatable parts. The upper part is formed of a flange whose bellows sides allow to collapse cleanly during the takeoff phases to clear the lift area of the propellers. The inner and upper faces of the upper part are coated with anti-abrasion and anti-laceration cloth to protect them from propeller movements. The lower part is the inflatable part where the drone comes to be put in place. The inner side of the lower part is cone-shaped tip down, to receive the landing interface of the drone, itself cone-shaped tip down and guide the drone to landing towards the central part where the drone will be stabilized. The fixing system of the pool consists of fixed rings on the upper part and on the lower part, in which passes an adjustable strap provided at its end with a hook (carabiners for example) that will be attached to the bridge (hole referral or railing) on 4 sides. For inflation, an electric inflation system will be integrated in the lower part, coupled with a manual inflation system (Zodiac type plugs / valves). To maintain the inflation of the lower part between take-off and landing, a subdivision system will be provided.

The accompanying drawings illustrate the invention:

Figure 1 shows the drone with the landing interface. The drone consists of a propulsion and navigation unit (1), propellers (2), the payload (3), the landing interface (4) whose shape and dimensions are define with the manufacturer alone to even propose a device adapted to his machine. The interface composed of feet connected in the lower part must, by its frustoconical shape pointing downwards, be able to facilitate the drag of the drone without a hitch in the inner funnel to the central well. This landing interface can be deployable and retractable.

Figure 2 shows the female part of the invention, the landing pool, in landing mode: Upper part (6) inflated. The lower part (5) is inflated by means of an integrated pump (10) electric or manual and compartmentalized through a subdivision valve (ll). The structure is fixed to the ground by a system of straps and hooks (9). The central funnel (7) is formed by the fabric stretched by inflating the flanges of the upper part (6), and guides the drone towards the central well (8).

Figure 3 shows the invention once the drone landed.

Figure 4 shows the invention in take-off position (deflated upper part, tight and tight straps to hold the landing pool firmly to the deck).

The device will work as follows:

In the take-off phase, only the lower part of the pool will be inflated, the straps will be adjusted to keep the lower part firmly on the deck. The drone will be positioned in the center of the pool.

Once the takeoff takes place the straps are relaxed and the upper part inflated, deploying the central funnel. Once the inflation is done the straps are stretched.

In landing phase, the drone guided by its automatic system will come to the vertical inflated pool and begin its descent. Depending on the movements of the boat, it will touch the inside of the funnel and continue to descend, the frustoconical shape of its landing interface allowing it to slide on the wet surface of the funnel to the central well. Arriving in the central well the contact between the landing interface of the drone and the dimensions of the funnel will prevent it from tilting and keep it upright.

This device is particularly suitable for medium-sized boats (patrol boats, luxury yachts) or oil rigs wishing to equip a drone.

Claims (6)

1- A set for taking off and landing drones characterized in that it consists of: a. A circular female part with a central well attached to the floor or platform b. A male frustoconical portion mounted on the drone and can be introduced into the well of the female part. 2- assembly according to claim 1 characterized in that it is composed in the female part 1 of a central well in the form of funnel. 3- assembly according to claim 1 or claim 2 characterized in that it consists of a female portion of circular shape which may be inflatable. 4. An assembly according to any preceding claim characterized in that it comprises 2 parts in the female part: an upper part and a lower part; the upper part being inflatable and deformable. 5. An assembly according to any preceding claim characterized in that the center of the lower part can receive a device for guiding the drone. 6. The assembly of claim 1 characterized in that the male portion attached to the drone can be deployable and retractable.