WO2009076194A4

WO2009076194A4 - Rotary flying vehicle

Info

Publication number: WO2009076194A4
Application number: PCT/US2008/085661
Authority: WO
Inventors: Sean Michael Frawley
Original assignee: Wowwee Group Ltd; Sean Michael Frawley
Priority date: 2007-12-07
Filing date: 2008-12-05
Publication date: 2009-08-06
Also published as: WO2009076194A1

Abstract

The disclosed technique relates to flying vehicles in general, and to methods and systems for controlling a flying vehicle, in particular the method for operating the rotary flying vehicle comprising: determining a rotation position of said rotary flying vehicle during rotation about a substantially vertical axis thereof, according to a light detection state of a light detector coupled with the vehicle; directing at least a selected one of at least one propulsion device coupled with the flying vehicle to produce thrust of a first value when the vehicle is at a certain rotation position, in order to move the rotary flying vehicle in a desired direction along a horizontal plane substantially perpendicular to said substantially vertical axis.

Claims

33AMENDED CLAIMS received by the International Bureau on 22 JUNE 2009 (22.06.2009)

1. Rotary flying vehicle comprising: a hub; a plurality of airfoils substantially symmetrically coupled with said hub; a plurality of beams substantially symmetrically coupled with said hub; at least one propulsion device, each of said at least one propulsion device being coupled with one of said beams; a power supply mechanically coupled with said hub and electrically coupled with each of said propulsion devices; at least one light detector coupled with said hub, said at least one light detector switching to a receiving state, when said at least one light detector detects the light emitted by a light source of a remote control, said at least one light detector switching to a non-receiving state, when said at least one light detector detects substantially no light emitted by said light source; and a light responsive controller coupled with each of said at least one propulsion device and with said at least one light detector, said light responsive controller determining a rotation position of said flying vehicle during a rotation thereof, said light responsive controller directing at least a selected one of said at least one propulsion device to alter the thrust produced thereby, when said flying vehicle is at a predetermined rotation position. 34

2. The rotary flying vehicle of claim 1, wherein said at least one propulsion device includes two propulsion devices, each coupled with an opposite beam, positioned symmetrically around said hub.

3. The rotary flying vehicle of claim 1 , wherein each of said airfoils includes a firm section and a folding section, said firm section being firmly coupled with said hub at a first end thereof, said folding section being coupled with said firm section, at the other end thereof, through a folding hinge, each of said airfoils being moveable between an outstretched position when said rotary flying vehicle rotates at a relatively high angular frequency, and a folded position when said rotary flying vehicle rotates at a relatively low angular frequency.

4. The rotary flying vehicle of claim 1, further comprising a clearance beacon, coupled with said hub at an upper section thereof, said beacon further including: a radiation emitter for emitting radiation in an upward direction; and a radiation detector, for detecting said radiation after said radiation is reflected by an obstacle located above said flying vehicle; wherein said controller directs each of said propulsion devices to produce reduced thrust, when the distance between said flying vehicle and said obstacle is smaller than a predetermined value.

5. The rotary flying vehicle of claim 1, further comprising a contra weight, coupled with a beam, opposite to the beam with which said propulsion device is coupled, symmetrically around said hub, such that said weight balances the weight of said propulsion device.

6. The rotary flying vehicle of claim 1 , further comprising an aerodynamic fin, pivotally coupled with a beam, opposite to the beam with which said propulsion device is coupled.

7. The rotary flying vehicle of claim 6, wherein said aerodynamic fin is vertically moveable relative to said beam.

8. The rotary flying vehicle of claim 6, wherein said aerodynamic fin is horizontally moveable relative to said beam.

9. Rotary flying vehicle comprising: a hub; a plurality of airfoils substantially symmetrically coupled with said hub; at least one propulsion devic© each coupled with one of said airfoils; a power supply mechanically coupled with said hub and electrically coupled with each of said at least one propulsion device; at least one light detector coupled with said hub, said at least one light detector switching to a receiving state, when said at least one light detector detects the light emitted by a light source of a remote control, said at least one light detector switching to a non-receiving state, when said at least one light detector detects substantially no light emitted by said light source; and a light responsive controller coupled with each of said at least one propulsion device and with said at least one light detector, said light responsive controller determining a rotation position of said flying vehicle during a rotation thereof, said light responsive controller directing at least a selected one of said at least one propulsion device to alter the thrust produced thereby, when said flying vehicle is at a predetermined rotation position. 36

10. Method for operating a rotary flying vehicle, comprising the procedures of: determining a rotation position of said rotary flying vehicle during rotation about a substantially vertical axis thereof, according to a light detection state of a light detector coupled with said rotary flying vehicle; and directing at least a selected one of a at least one propulsion device coupled with said rotary flying vehicle to alter the thrust produced thereby, when said rotary flying vehicle is at a predetermined rotation position, in order to move said rotary flying vehicle in a desired direction along a horizontal plane, substantially perpendicular to said substantially vertical axis.

11. The method according to claim 1O₁ further comprising the procedures of: determining a distance between said flying vehicle and an obstacle; and directing each of said at least one propulsion device to produce reduced thrust, when said distance between said flying vehicle and said obstacle i$ smaller than a predetermined value, for preventing said flying vehicle from crashing with said obstacle.