WO2023023828A1

WO2023023828A1 - Glider drone with steerable balloon for personal flight with automatic and manual modes

Info

Publication number: WO2023023828A1
Application number: PCT/BR2021/050357
Authority: WO
Inventors: Gilberto DE ALMEIDA FREITAS FILHO
Original assignee: De Almeida Freitas Filho Gilberto
Priority date: 2021-08-24
Filing date: 2021-08-24
Publication date: 2023-03-02

Abstract

The present invention relates to an innovative type of electric and/or hybrid digital glider drone with a steerable balloon for personal flight. The project consists of a compact ellipsoidal balloon with a self-levelling drone with rigid wings at the centre of the container, two engines-propellers with 90 degrees of rotation and a seat for the pilot with the device controls. The device provides a different and unique personal flight concept, which is calm, safe, simple and low-cost.

Description

DRONE GLIDER WITH BALLOONS FOR PERSONAL FLIGHT WITH MODES

AUTOMATIC AND MANUAL

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[1] The invention is intended for the aviation area, more specifically the area of aircraft and devices for personal or (individual) flight.

STATE OF THE TECHNIQUE

[2] Airships are a type of aircraft used in most countries of the world, mainly in advanced economies. They are employed for surveillance work, tourism, border control, geographic surveys, freight transport and even advertising purposes. Even so, it can be said that its use is far from its real capacity and market coverage.

[3] Like the vast majority of aviation devices, the high cost and size of the aircraft available in the state of the art constitute a major impediment to the individual and personal use of this important mode of transport.

[4] There is a wide variety of airships belonging to the state of the art, the vast majority of them:

[5] PCT WO2017136906 (Dl) describes a backpack with a vertical extension of resistant and flexible aeronautical fabrics, widely used in the aeronautical sector, which has an enveloped balloon with wings, and uses motor propulsion for the locomotion of the occupant. Dl can be considered the closest application to the present invention by using the dirigible balloon applied to the idea of an individual and economical locomotion device. [6] However, the present invention represents a significant modernization and improvement of the devices found in the prior art.

[7] This application for invention comprises an innovative type of glider drone with dirigible balloon, electric and/or hybrid, digital for personal flight, in automatic or manual. The control can be done privately (manually) or by requesting (automatic) the route on the map by the device application, then approved by the regional civil aviation control tower in real time, where the device, using its sensors , calculates the program and executes the flight to the desired destination. The project presents a different and unique concept of flight, calm, safe, simple and low cost for people.

[8] This individual device can be widely used in urban mobility, tourist spots, national parks, farm hotels, beach inns, squares and open parking lots. It is also an excellent option for scientific expeditions in isolated areas, mountains, waterfalls and springs or surveillance of borders and others. It allows a superior view of the environment and reaches places that are not possible to reach by boat or car. For example, where there are no roads and where helicopters and drones cannot reach due to their limits of autonomy, being the safest flight, with the best cost benefit, without harming the environment. All this in a much simpler and more economical way than all state-of-the-art aircraft.

[9] Dl has a completely different aerodynamics, instead of inflatable wings attached to the gas balloon itself, there is the use of rigid wings that are allocated in the container (fuselage). In this way, the aerodynamics of the present invention are more suitable for use in an urban environment, have less drag, reach higher speeds and use a smaller amount of helium gas and parking space.

[10] It can be said that the present invention constitutes a refined amalgamation between a drone/glider and an airship, while Dl is limited to an airship configuration.

[11] The use of rigid wings instead of inflatable ones, provides an unprecedented balance between the three functions mentioned above and allows the performance of a flight in vertical mode (e-VTOL), that is, vertical takeoff and landing from zero speed (0). O which dispenses with runways and guarantees the full mobility of the invention even in urban, vertical and small-space environments.

[12] Dl has multiple layers, however, the present invention uses 2 or 3 layers (film or film of nanocomposites), which promote the tightness of up to 99.9% of helium gas. Being the 1st inner layer of nano-TPU and the outer layer coated with organic nano-film (OPV) of solar panels, which can recharge the electric batteries in the container through the nano solar sensors (OPV) in real time.

[13] Unlike Dl, a pair of motors with independent propellers is used, which are responsible for the more versatile and complete movement of the equipment. These engines can be electric and hybrid energy, from hydrogen and (or) ethanol cells.

[14] Dl is described as a backpack attached to the back of the pilot and which keeps him in a horizontal position. The present invention has an ergonomic armchair that can keep its occupant in a sitting position or lying down on the chest in a delta position.

[15] This seat is ejectable and has a reserve parachute that opens automatically. In addition, there is an airbag with speed and altitude sensors attached to the pilot's chest rest that protect him from possible collision with the ground and obstacles during a crash or forced landing.

[16] Dl also has a rigid external structure on the front of the balloon, a carbon fiber nozzle and a fixation rod, which do not exist in the present invention, which brings savings in raw material and weight reduction.

[17] The rigid wings have a 90° movement for vertical flight support and balance and allow for changing the angle of the engines to propel horizontal flight.

[18] The engines attached to the wings, being independent, have differential controls that can vary power and angle differently. There are two controls, one for each motor, and two functions in each. Additionally, it is possible to carry out semi-automatic control via an application through pre-programmed routes.

[19] The balloon has electric valves that can be used to remove the gas autonomously (automatically) in case of injection (SOS), so that the device returns to the ground safely. The gas can be withdrawn and stored if the balloon is not in use, or even transferred to another balloon.

[20] One of the great differences of the present invention in relation to other airship balloon devices found in the state of the art is that this type of The equipment fits into the category of simplified flight by aviation bodies, the so-called personal aerosport flight weighing less than 200 kg.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[21] Briefly speaking, the present invention consists of a compact ellipsoidal balloon with self-levelling drone with rigid wings in the center of the container, two 90 degree rotation propeller motors and a pilot seat with device controls.

[22] The dirigible balloon has an ellipsoidal shape with two to three watertight layers, the inner layer of TPU nanocomposites and the outer layer consisting of a nanofilm or (film) of sensory organic solar plate that charges the batteries in real time from flight for use.

[23] The pilot's seat is ergonomic and can support its occupant in two positions, sitting or lying down with the chest in a horizontal position like birds.

[24] The seat belt is carefully designed to accommodate the rider's changing position and protects its occupant during position transition.

[25] The seat is also ejectable through a manual lever, in case of balloon problems, its activation ensures the pilot's escape while a reserve parachute is automatically activated for landing. There is also a front AIR-BAG positioned on the adjustable support chest, an approximation (X) speed sensor that ensures the AIR-BAG opens precisely for impact with the ground or other obstacles.

DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES:

Figure 1.

[26] Describes the project in the view (front), where the indications (1, 2 and 3) represent the main parts that separate the set, (1) Since the balloon is airworthy with a helium gas protection envelope.

(2) The central container, which comprises the fuselage that fits the balloon, supporting the project's wings, engines, systems and battery.

(3) presents the pilot's seat and controls, which contains the seat's chassis that fits into the container above and a manual ejection system with reserve parachute and automatic AIRBAG.

Figure 2.

[27] Represents the project in the (side) view, where the indications (1, 2 and 3) represent the main parts that separate the set as explained above in the description of [Fig.l], The numberings (1.1 - 1.2 - 1.3 ) concern the movable docking keels for the dirigible balloon.

Figure 3.

[28] Represents the project in the (top) position with transparency, where the number (4) represents the internal battery of the container (Fig.l item 2), the indication (5) represents the rigid wing, (6) represents the brakes on the wing, (7) indicates the motion actuator servos (e-VTOL) of the motors and propellers with protection being represented by the number (8).

Figure 4.

[29] Shows the project in transparent perspective, indicating the item (Fig.3 item 7) from a different point of view for better understanding.

(9) representing the armchair chassis and fitting, with movement axis for pectoral position and leg rest.

(10) indicates the location of the system with external and internal sensors (11) measuring the battery and engines, as well as measuring altitude, speed, temperatures and pressure.

Figure 5.

[30] Describes the project in the mounted (front) position, with the front lights (12) indicated in the drawing. (13) indicates the seat's EJECT lever (Figure 2. Item 3), where it decouples from the container (Figure 1. Item 2) and automatically activates the reserve parachute (16) due to the weight of the pilot's fall displacement with the armchair. The numbering (14) indicates the harness with the AIR-BAG saved for the moment of impact with the ground or obstacles, triggered by a built-in movement and speed sensor.

The numbering (15) indicates the parking anchor of the design and patent application, with types or option of anchoring for different environmental situations, such as dune soils, water or mountains with trees.

Figure 6.

[31] Indicates the separate seat (Figure 2. item 3), in the view from (front) with a pilot model, for demonstrating the flight controls, with the number (18) controlling the acceleration, curves and brake of the engines and (or ) wings, matching the number (19) being the angle change of the motor-propellers with protection. The number (20) represents the armrest where the flight controls (18 and 19) are located.

Figure 7.

[32] Represents in (lateral perspective) the armchair (Figure 2, item 3) activated the emergency system, with the number (16) representing the activated reserve parachute and the AIRBAG (17) activated before the impact with the ground.

Claims

7

1 - DRONE GLIDER WITH BALLOONS FOR PERSONAL FLIGHT WITH AUTOMATIC AND MANUAL MODES characterized by being faithfully represented in the drawings Fig.l, Fig.2, Fig.3, Fig.4, Fig.5, Fig.6 and Fig.7, where a compact balloon (1) is presented, with a self-leveling drone with rigid wings (5) with a container (2) where two engines (8), batteries (4), control systems and an ejectable armchair (3) are allocated for the pilot.

2 - COMPACT BALLOON (1), according to claim 1, characterized in that it is preferably ellipsoidal in shape and has a two-way electric solenoid valve to fill or deflate the balloon.

3 - COMPACT BALLOON (1), according to claim 1, characterized in that it consists of two to three layers tight to helium or hydrogen gas, with the inner layer of TPU nanocomposites and the outer layer of a nanofilm or organic solar panel film OPV sensor capable of recharging batteries in real time.

4 - CONTAINER (2), according to claim 1, characterized in that it consists of rigid wings (5) equipped with brakes (6), motion actuator servos (7), a pair of electric motors with propellers (8), headlights ( 12) batteries (4) and control systems, being the ESC for programming the engine power and battery temperature controls, sensors for measuring speed, altitude and internal pressure of the balloon (10) and (11), as indicated in the app and pilot display.

5 - ENGINES (8), according to claim 4, characterized by supporting the hybrid configuration, 90° movement and individual controls that scale the power and angle of the propellers.

6 - CONTROL SYSTEM, according to claim 4, characterized by having acceleration control, curves and brake of the motors and wings (18) and angle change of the motor-propellers (19). 8

7 - ARMCHAIR FOR THE PILOT (3), according to claim 1, characterized by being ergonomic (9) and by having a movement axis capable of supporting the occupant in two positions, sitting or lying in a horizontal position.

8 - ARMCHAIR FOR THE PILOT (3), according to claim 1 and 6, characterized by having a safety design that adapts to a change of position, with an adaptable safety harness, reserve parachute (16) and a front airbag positioned on the chest (14) adjustable support, a parking anchor (15).

9 - SAFETY DESIGN, according to claim 7, characterized by having approximation and speed sensors that guarantee the opening of the airbag precisely in case of impact with the ground or obstacles.

10 - DRONE GLIDER WITH BALLOONS FOR PERSONAL FLIGHT WITH AUTOMATIC AND MANUAL MODES, according to claim 1, characterized by having an automatic flight system by coordinates controlled by an application that calculates the programmed route and sends it to the sensors of the container, being able to be switched to manual and pilot control.