WO2025163530A1

WO2025163530A1 - A rotary-wing aircraft for flood rescue and detection operations

Info

Publication number: WO2025163530A1
Application number: PCT/IB2025/050996
Authority: WO
Inventors: Sadham Usean Ramasamy; Prabhu Rajagopal
Original assignee: Indian Institute of Technology Madras
Current assignee: Indian Institute of Technology Madras
Priority date: 2024-02-01
Filing date: 2025-01-30
Publication date: 2025-08-07
Anticipated expiration: 2026-08-01

Abstract

The present disclosure relates a rotary-wing aircraft (100) for rescue and detection operation The rotary-wing aircraft (100) includes a rotorcraft (10) with at least one primary blade (1) and an unmanned aerial vehicle UAV (20) with a plurality of secondary blades (24). The UAV (20) includes a base assembly (22). The base assembly (22) comprises a battery unit (52) powered by an engine of the rotorcraft (10), a safety survival kit (30) positioned inside the base assembly (22), high-vision satellite cameras (50), and a sensing unit (50) positioned at bottom plate of the base assembly (22). The UAV (20) is integrally connected to the rotorcraft (10). The battery units (52) are charged by the rotorcraft (10) to power the unmanned aerial vehicle UAV (20), which avoids the drone energy scarcity problem and shortens the time needed for rescue operation. The rotary-wing aircraft (100) aids in maintaining balance during the rescue operation.

Description

A ROTARY-WING AIRCRAFT FOR FLOOD RESCUE AND DETECTION OPERATIONS

TECHNICAL FIELD

[001] Present disclosure relates to a safety rescue and detection device. Particularly, but not exclusively, the present disclosure relates to a rotary-wing aircraft for flood rescue and detection operations.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

[002] The information in this section merely provides background information related to the present disclosure and may not constitute prior art(s) for the present disclosure.

[003] The challenges in the rescue operation, particularly when there is a large flood or land slide is to identify victims and rescuing them from heavy water flow or landslides. An aircraft designed using the aerodynamic principles of a helicopter and capable of suspending and lifting personnel and heavy objects in a hanging manner over long distances, at various positions and angles to carry out rescue operations during disasters. Further, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) that are operated using radio remote control equipment and self-contained programme control devices. They are classified as unmanned fixed-wing aircraft, unmanned vertical take-off and landing aircraft, unmanned airships, unmanned helicopters, unmanned multi-rotor aircraft, unmanned parachute -wing aircraft, and the like. According to the application fields, unmanned aerial vehicles can be classified as military or civil.

[004] In the military, the unmanned aerial vehicles [UAVs] are classified as reconnaissance aircraft and target aircraft, whereas the unmanned aerial vehicles are used in the civil sector. The unmanned aerial vehicles are currently used in the fields of aerial photography, agriculture, plant protection, express transportation, disaster rescue, wild animal observation, infectious disease monitoring, surveying, and mapping, disaster relief, movie, and television shooting, and greatly expand the application of the unmanned aerial vehicles. The standard rescue unmanned aerial vehicle's intelligence is insufficient, and the unmanned aerial vehicle for disaster relief can replace it with a full-automatic intelligent flood rescue unmanned aerial vehicle.

[005] The majority of flood rescue operations are conducted by a drone, and drone-based aerial vehicles. These drones have numerous downsides. For example, such drones may not lift heavy objects and the battery is not sufficient to perform the rescue operation for long time. Further, helicopters are used to for the rescue operation, however the helicopters are not common among rescue teams, and they are unable to respond to emergencies in numerous, dispersed locations. There are certain troubled areas where take-off and landing conditions are not possible due to the high requirements of the helicopter. Thus, there is a conflict between the cost of releasing the rescue equipment and the necessary rescue measures, as measured by operation costs alone. In order to overcome the aforementioned problems, a new gadget/device is required in order to save the individual, locate the location, and ensure their safety and survival. The proposed device for flood rescue and detection operation is a hybrid rescue rotary-wing aircraft that is formed by integrating the unmanned aerial vehicle UAV into a rotorcraft, which not only aids in detection and rescue operations but also supplies survival gear.

[006] The present disclosure is directed to overcome one or more limitations stated above or any other limitations associated with the prior art.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

[007] The one or more shortcomings of the prior art are overcome by the device as claimed, and additional advantages are provided through the provision of the device as claimed in the present disclosure. Additional features and advantages are realized through the techniques of the present disclosure. Other embodiments and aspects of the disclosure are described in detail herein and are considered a part of the claimed disclosure. [008] The present disclosure provides new design configuration of a rotary-wing aircraft for use rescue and detection operations. Specifically, the rotary-wing aircraft for use in flood rescue and detection operations.

[009] In one non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure, the rotary-wing aircraft for rescue and detection operations comprising a rotorcraft which has at least one primary blade operated by an engine of the rotorcraft and an unmanned aerial vehicle UAV comprises a plurality of secondary blades configured to actuate between fold and unfold positions through actuating members. The unmanned aerial vehicle includes a base assembly, the base assembly comprises at least one battery unit configured to be charged by the engine of the rotorcraft, a safety survival kit disposed inside the base assembly, and a sensing unit positioned at bottom plate of the base assembly. The unmanned aerial vehicle is integrally connected to the rotorcraft.

[010] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the battery unit is configured to supply power to the unmanned aerial vehicle UAV.

[OH] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, at least one primary blade of the rotorcraft configured to operate to reach the destination where rescue operation needs to be performed, when the plurality of secondary blades of the unmanned aerial vehicle UAV is in a folded position.

[012] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, at least one primary blade of the rotorcraft (10) configured to stop, when the plurality of secondary blades of the unmanned aerial vehicle UAV is in an unfolded position and operate during the rescue operation.

[013] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, at least one primary blade of the rotorcraft and the plurality of secondary blades of the unmanned aerial vehicle UAV is configured to operate simultaneously during the rescue operation. [014] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the actuating member is any one of hydraulic actuator or pneumatic actuator to fold and unfold the plurality of secondary blades of the unmanned aerial vehicle UAV.

[015] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the safety survival kit comprises one or more safety survival materials.

[016] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, wherein the safety survival kit comprises a piston-cylinder mechanism to facilitate releasing of safety survival materials, the piston-cylinder mechanism comprises: drop off cylinders configured to selectively release the safety survival materials.

[017] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the survival materials are configured to be released via guide ropes.

[018] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the sensing unit includes at least one high- vision satellite camera configured to identify the victim(s).

[019] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the base assembly comprises a control unit configured to receive signal from the sensing unit and to control the piston-cylinder mechanism, and a measuring unit is configured to measure the pressure, temperature, velocity and flow rate of pressurized medium to activate a piston-cylinder mechanism, drop off cylinders, and a piston-cylinder mechanism for the bottom door of the safety survival kit.

[020] It is to be understood that the aspects and embodiments of the disclosure described above may be used in any combination with each other. Several of the aspects and embodiments may be combined together to form a further embodiment of the disclosure.

[021] The foregoing summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. In addition to the illustrative aspects, embodiments, and features described above, further aspects, embodiments, and features will become apparent by reference to the drawings and the following detailed description.

[022] An object of the present disclosure is to provide the rotary-wing aircraft which can perform rescue and detection operations for long time period and to increase the load carrying capacity.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

[023] The novel features and characteristics of the disclosure are set forth in the description. The disclosure itself, however, as well as a preferred mode of use, further objectives, and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following description of an illustrative embodiment when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. One or more embodiments are now described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein like reference numerals represent like elements and in which:

[024] Figure 1 illustrates a perspective view of a rotary-wing aircraft formed by an assembly of a rotorcraft and an unmanned aerial vehicle [UAV] for rescue and detection operations, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[025] Figure 2 illustrates a bottom view of an UAV including a plurality of blades in a unfolded position, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[026] Figure 3 illustrates a side perspective view of an UAV with a base assembly which includes a safety survival kit, battery units, a control unit, and a measuring unit, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[027] Figure 4 illustrates a bottom perspective view of an UAV which showcases a sensing unit position at a bottom plate, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; [028] Figure 5 illustrates a side view of an UAV including a plurality of secondary blades in a folded position, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[029] Figure 6 illustrates an enlarged view of a secondary blade of an UAV which operates through an actuating member, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[030] Figure 7A illustrates a top perspective view of a safety survival kit containing one or more safety survival materials, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[031] Figure 7B illustrates a top cover for covering a safety survival kit, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[032] Figure 8 illustrates a transparent view of a safety survival kit showcases one or more safety survival materials stored inside a safety survival kit, in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure;

[033] Figure 9 illustrates safety survival materials stored inside a safety survival kit, in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure;

[034] Figure 10 illustrates a top view of a safety survival kit safety survival materials stored inside a safety survival kit, in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure; showcasing a railing mechanism to selectively release safety survival materials

[035] Figure 11 illustrates a cross sectional view of a rotary-wing aircraft showcasing a position of a safety survival kit and battery units inside a base assembly of an UAV, in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure; [036] Skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the drawings are illustrated for simplicity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the drawings may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help to improve understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[037] While the disclosure is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof have been shown by way of example in the Figures, and will be described in detail below. It should be understood, however that it is not intended to limit the disclosure to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the disclosure is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the disclosure as defined by the appended claims.

[038] Before describing detailed embodiments, it may be observed that the novelty and inventive step that are in accordance with the present disclosure reside in a new design configuration of a rotary-wing aircraft which is formed by an assembly of an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle [UAV] into a rotorcraft. The “Unmanned Aerial Vehicle” may hereinafter be referred to as “UAV”. It is to be noted that a person skilled in the art can be motivated from the present disclosure and modify the construction of the UAV integrated into the rotorcraft. However, such modification should be construed within the scope of the present disclosure. Accordingly, the drawings are showing only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present disclosure so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the description herein.

[039] In the present disclosure, the term “exemplary” is used herein to mean “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” Any embodiment or implementation of the present subject matter described herein as “exemplary” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments. [040] The terms “comprises”, “comprising”, or any other variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusions, such that a device that comprises a list of components does not include only those components but may include other components not expressly listed or inherent to such setup or device. In other words, one or more elements in a system or apparatus proceeded by “comprises. . . a” does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of other elements or additional elements in the system or device/apparatus.

[041] The terms like “at least one” and “one or more” may be used interchangeably or in combination throughout the description.

[042] Reference will now be made to the exemplary embodiments of the disclosure, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same numerals will be used to refer to the same or like parts. Embodiments of the disclosure are described in the following paragraphs with reference to Figures 1 to 11. In Figures 1 to 11, the same element or elements which have the same functions are indicated by the same reference signs.

Referring to Figure 1, illustrating a rotary-wing aircraft (100). The rotary-wing aircraft (100) includes a rotorcraft (10) and an unmanned aerial vehicle [UAV] (20). The rotorcraft (10) may be a helicopter, chopper or likewise, configured to carry people, goods, machineries, etc through aerial routes. The rotorcraft (10) includes at least one primary blade (1), a rear end blade (2) and a stand (3) to support the rotary-wing aircraft (100) on the land. The primary blade (1) is coupled to an engine of the rotorcraft (10) and is operated by the engine of the rotorcraft (10). The primary blade (1) is used to lift up the rotary-wing aircraft (100). The UAV (20) may be a drone, a flying robot, quadcopter or any such aerial vehicle which do not require human sitting inside, in order to operate it. The rotorcraft (10) has a space for accommodating the UAV (20). The UAV (20) is fixedly mounted inside the rotorcraft (10). The UAV (20) is housed inside the rotorcraft (10) and below the main blade (1) of the rotorcraft (10). The rotary-wing aircraft (100) is formed by integrating the UAV (20) into the rotorcraft (10). The rotary-wing aircraft (100) may use for rescue and detection operations. Specifically, the rotary-wing aircraft (100) is used for flood rescue and detection operations. The rotorcraft (10) and UAV (20) may be operated remotely or manually. Further, both the rotorcraft (10) and UAV (20) may be operated remotely together. Furthermore, the rotary-wing aircraft (100) may be operated only by the UAV (20).

[043] Referring to Figure 2, illustrating a bottom view of the UAV (20). The UAV (20) has a base assembly (22). The base assembly (22) includes a plurality of secondary blades (24) to lift the UAV (20) and thereby the rotary-wing aircraft (100). The plurality of secondary blades (24) is operated by an actuator, such as a motor (28). The plurality of secondary blades (24) is configured to move/actuate between fold and unfold position through an actuating member (26), as shown in Figure 6. In the folded position, the plurality of secondary blades (24) of the UAV (20) may keep inside the base assembly (22). In the unfolded position, the plurality of secondary blades (24) of the UAV (20) may keep outside the base assembly (22). The actuating member (25) may be a hydraulic actuator or a pneumatic actuator, but not limited to the same. The plurality of secondary blades (24) in Figure 2 are shown in an unfolded position. The base assembly (22) further includes a safety survival kit (30) which is positioned inside the base assembly (22), as shown in Figure 3. The safety survival kit (30) has a front safety door (32) and a rear safety door (34) to facilitate insertion or extraction of the safety survival materials (40) inside the safety survival kit (30). The safety survival kit (30) may be defined with a storage space adapted to store/receive the safety survival materials (40). The safety survival materials (40) may be defined as a set of equipment that helps the victim to survive in dangerous conditions.

[044] The rotary-wing aircraft (100) may be operated as a helicopter by rotating the primary blade (1) of the rotorcraft (10) to reach the destination where rescue operation needs to be performed. The primary blade (1) of the rotorcraft (10) operates to reach the destination, when the plurality of secondary blades (24) of the UAV is in a folded position. Further, when the rotary-wing aircraft (100) reaches the destination, the plurality of secondary blades (24) of the UAV (20) gets folded and start rotating, and during this time the speed of the primary blade (1) of the rotorcraft (10) slows down. For example, the primary blade (1) of the rotorcraft (10) is not operable, when the plurality of secondary blades (24) of the UAV (20) is in the folded position and operated during the rescue operation. Once the plurality of secondary blades (24) of the UAV (20) start rotating so as to produce enough thrust for sustaining the weight of the rotary-wing aircraft (100), then the speed of the primary blade ( 1) of the rotorcraft (10) slows down to prevent thrust on the plurality of secondary blades (24) positioned below the primary blade (1). In another exemplary embodiment, the primary blade ( 1 ) of the rotorcraft (10) and the plurality of secondary blades (24) of the UAV (20) may be operated simultaneously during the rescue operation. The combine operation of the primary blade (1) of the rotorcraft (10) and the plurality of secondary blades (24) of the UAV (20) gives adequate balancing assistance during rescue operation. Further, the combine operation of the primary blade (1) of the rotorcraft (10) and the plurality of secondary blades (24) of the UAV (20) increases the load carrying capacity of the rotary-wing aircraft (100).

[045] Referring to Figure 3, the configuration of the base assembly (22) of the UAV (20) ) is depicted. The safety survival kit (30) is positioned inside the base assembly (22). Preferably, the safety survival kit (30) may be positioned at center of the base assembly (22). The safety survival kit (30) includes the one or more safety survival materials (40) for use during the rescue operation, elaborated below in detailed. The side surfaces of the safety survival kit (30) are covered with a plurality of safety elements (36) to enhance safety of the safety survival matters (40) and at the same time to increase strength of the safety survival kit (30). The base assembly (22) includes a control unit (54) and a measuring unit (56) which are positioned at a top plate (22a) of the base assembly (22). The measuring unit (56) is used to measure the pressure, temperature, velocity and flow rate of pressurized medium to activate the piston-cylinder mechanism, drop off cylinders, and pistoncylinder mechanism for the bottom door of the safety survival kit (30). The pressure, temperature, velocity and flow rate sensors aid in identifying the pressurized fluid condition and preventing breakdowns.

[046] The control unit (54) is configured to control the operation of the actuating member (26) for folding and unfolding the plurality of secondary blades (24). Further, the base assembly (22) includes battery units (52) positioned at any one or both, front side and at rear side of the the base assembly (22). The battery units (52) are configured to be charged by power generated by operation of the engine of the rotorcraft (10). The battery units (52) are configured to supply power to the unmanned aerial vehicle UAV (20). The battery units (52) supplies power or electrical energy to facilitate rotation of the plurality of secondary blades (24) of the UAV (20).

[047] Referring to Figure 4, depicts the configuration of the base assembly (22) which includes a sensing unit (50) positioned at a bottom plate (22b) of the base assembly (22). The sensing unit (50) may include an intelligence control device, an intelligence signal receiver, an intelligence signal detector, a temperature sensor, a velocity meter, a proximity sensor unit, a digital tachometer, and a speed control unit. In an embodiment, the sensing unit (50) includes at least one high-vision satellite camera which is used to identify the victim(s). The high-vision satellite camera detects the victim(s) in the flood and send signals to ground rescue team through a satellite connection about the situation and location of the victim(s). The base assembly (22) has a passage (38) through which the safety survival materials (40) stored inside the safety survival kit (30) drops to rescue the victim(s).

[048] Referring to Figure 5, the configuration of the base assembly (22) in which the plurality of secondary blades (24) are in a folded position is depicted. When the rescue operation is completed, the plurality of secondary blades (24) gets folded and the primary blade (1) of the rotorcraft (10) starts rotating. The rotary-wing aircraft (100) operate the primary blade (1) of the rotorcraft (10) to reach at original place. In an embodiment, the rotary-wing aircraft (100) may operate simultaneously both the primary blade (1) of the rotorcraft (10) and the plurality of secondary blades (24) of the UAV (20). Referring to Figure 6, depicts the secondary blades (24) which can fold and unfold using the actuator member (26) and rotates using the motor (28).

[049] Referring to Figure 7A, the configuration of the safety survival kit (30) positioned inside the base assembly (22) is depicted. The safety survival kit (30) includes the safety survival materials (40) which may be used during the rescue operation. The safety survival materials (40) may include at least one safety jackets, at least one safety air bags (42), one or more safety guards (44), a plurality of floating sensor based balls (48), as shown in Figure 8, and/or any other such survival materials. In an embodiment, the safety air bags (42) are arranged together to form a bunch and the bunch of the safety air bags (42) are located at each comer of the safety survival kit (30). The safety guards (44) are arranged in a row and between the bunch of the safety air bags (42). Each of the safety guards (44) is hung on a rail (60). The plurality of floating sensor based balls (46) are arranged one after another hanging on the rail (60). The rail (60) is used to hang the safety guards (44), the floating sensor based balls (46) and similar safety survival materials (40). The safety survival kit (30) is covered with a cover (30A) shown in Figure 7B. The safety survival materials (40) may release and drop using a piston-cylinder mechanism or any preferred mechanism, to rescue the victim(s). The pistoncylinder mechanism is elaborated in greater detail below.

[050] Referring to Figure 8, depicts the inside view of the safety survival kit (30) including the safety survival materials (40). The safety survival materials (40) are dropped via guide ropes (48) having one end connected to the safety survival kit and another end tied to safety survival materials (40). The plurality of floating sensor based balls (46) are located below the safety air bags (42). As per the requirements during the rescue operation, the particular safety survival materials (40) may drop via the guide ropes (48) to rescue the victim(s). The operation of selection and release of the particular safety survival materials (40) is elaborated below in detail. [051] Referring to Figure 9, depicts the piston-cylinder mechanism of the safety survival kit (30) for selecting and dropping the safety survival materials (40). The piston-cylinder mechanism includes at least one drop-off cylinder (70). The pistoncylinder mechanism further includes fluid pipes (70). The drop off cylinders (70a) are arranged on each ofthe fluid pipes (70). The fluid pipes (70a) are fluidly coupled to fluid inlets (72, 78) and fluid outlets (74, 76) respectively. The pressurized fluid is supplied through the fluid inlets (72, 78) and the fluid outlets (74, 76) via a pump (not shown) passes through the fluid pipes (70). Thus, the pressurized fluid is supplied to the drop-off cylinders (70), which causes the drop-off cylinders (70) to slide along the fluid pipes (70). The change in pressure is used to change the location of the drop-off cylinders (70). This sliding motion of the drop off cylinders (70a) is used to select the particular safety survival material (40) during rescue operation. Further, the sliding motion of the drop-off cylinders (70) pushes the particular safety survival material (40) to release and drop via the guide ropes (48). The control unit (54) receives signals from the sensing unit (50) about the victim(s)in the flood. The control unit (54) control the operation of the safety survival kit (30) to release the safety survival materials (40). Depending on the rescue condition, the control unit (54) operates the pump (not shown) to supply pressurized fluid through the fluid pipes (70). The pressurized fluid causes sliding of the drop-off cylinders (70) to select and release/drop the particular safety survival material (40) via the guide ropes (48) for rescuing the victim(s). Further, when the sensing unit (50) identifies the victims in the flood, the piston-cylinder mechanism of the safety survival kit (30) releases the floating sensor based balls (46). The floating sensor based balls (46) is configured to transmit signals regarding the status of the victim(s) in flood to the control unit (54). The control unit (54) sends the information about the location of the victim(s) to the ground rescue team through the satellite connection.

[052] Referring to Figure 11 , depicts the sectional view of the rotary-wing aircraft (100) showcasing the position of the safety survival kit (30) and the battery units (52) positioned at the front and rear end of the safety survival kit (30) in the rotary- wing aircraft (100).

[053] The configuration of the rotary-wing aircraft (100), in which the battery units (52) replenish by the engine of the rotorcraft (10) to power the unmanned aerial vehicle [UAV] (20), which avoids the drone energy scarcity problem and shortens the time needed for rescue operation. The rotary-wing aircraft (100) formed by integrating the unmanned aerial vehicle UAV (20) into the rotorcraft (10) which aids in maintaining balance during the rescue operation and offers a wealth of survival and safety advice. The rotary-wing aircraft (100) may alternatively be defined as “hybrid rotary-wing aircraft”.

[054] After receiving the signal, the ground rescue team will arrive at the destination where rescue operation needs to be performed and quickly identify and rescue the victims. As a result, the rotary-wing aircraft as disclosed in the present disclosure, aids in the timely provision of safety survival units while also shortening the time required for rescue operations. This also help the rescue team by shortening the time spent in searching and finding of the victim(s). Further, the rotary-wing aircraft (100) aids in the rapid rescue of sufferers while also lowering the cost of operation. The expense of launching rescue equipment via helicopter is relatively considerable. Furthermore, the rotary-wing aircraft (100) of the present disclosure can be operated remotely through a remote control operated by a user in ground team, semi-manually, or manually.

[055] The inventors have developed the invention, so that advantage can be achieved in an economical, practical, and facile manner. While preferred aspects and example configurations have been shown and described, it is to be understood that various further modifications and additional configurations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. It is intended that the specific embodiments and configurations herein disclosed are illustrative of the preferred nature of the invention and should not be interpreted as limitations on the scope of the invention. [056] The various embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings. The present disclosure is not limited to the illustrated embodiments; rather, these embodiments are intended to fully and completely disclose the subject matter of the disclosure to those skilled in this art. In the drawings, like numbers refer to like elements throughout. The thicknesses and dimensions of some components may be exaggerated for clarity.

[057] Herein, the terms “attached”, “connected”, “interconnected”, “contacting”, “mounted”, “coupled” and the like can mean either direct or indirect attachment or contact between elements, unless stated otherwise.

[058] Well-known functions or constructions may not be described in detail for brevity and/or clarity. As used herein the expression “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[059] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the disclosure. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises”, “comprising”, “includes” and/or “including” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

[060] While considerable emphasis has been placed herein on the particular features of this disclosure, it will be appreciated that various modifications can be made, and that many changes can be made in the preferred embodiments without departing from the principles of the disclosure. These and other modifications in the nature of the disclosure or the preferred embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the disclosure herein, whereby it is to be distinctly understood that the foregoing descriptive matter is to be interpreted merely as illustrative of the disclosure and not as a limitation.

[061] EQUIVALENTS:

[062] The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained with reference to the non-limiting embodiments in the description. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the embodiments herein may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiments herein. Accordingly, the examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein.

[063] The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the embodiments as described herein.

[064] Any discussion of documents, acts, materials, devices, articles and the like that has been included in this specification is solely for the purpose of providing a context for the disclosure. It is not to be taken as an admission that any or all of these matters form a part of the prior art base or were common general knowledge in the field relevant to the disclosure as it existed anywhere before the priority date of this application. [065] The numerical values mentioned for the various physical parameters, dimensions or quantities are only approximations and it is envisaged that the values higher/lower than the numerical values assigned to the parameters, dimensions or quantities fall within the scope of the disclosure, unless there is a statement in the specification specific to the contrary.

[066] Reference numerals:

Claims

We claim:

1. A rotary-wing aircraft ( 100) for rescue and detection operations, the rotary- wing aircraft (100) comprising: a rotorcraft (10) has at least one primary blade (1) operated by an engine of the rotorcraft (10); and an unmanned aerial vehicle UAV (20) comprises a plurality of secondary blades (24) configured to actuate between fold and unfold positions through actuating members (26); the unmanned aerial vehicle UAV (20) includes a base assembly (22), wherein the base assembly (22) comprises at least one battery unit (52) configured to be charged by the engine of the rotorcraft (10), a safety survival kit (30) disposed inside the base assembly (22), and a sensing unit (50) positioned at bottom plate of the base assembly (22), wherein the unmanned aerial vehicle UAV (20) is integrally connected to the rotorcraft (10).

2. The rotary-wing aircraft (100) as claimed in claim 1, the battery unit (52) is configured to supply power to the unmanned aerial vehicle UAV (20).

3. The rotary-wing aircraft (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one primary blade (1) of the rotorcraft (10) configured to operate to reach the destination where rescue operation needs to be performed, when the plurality of secondary blades (24) of the unmanned aerial vehicle UAV (20) is in a folded position.

4. The rotary-wing aircraft (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one primary blade ( 1 ) of the rotorcraft (10) configured to stop, when the plurality of secondary blades (24) of the unmanned aerial vehicle [UAV] (20) is in an unfolded position and operate during the rescue operation.

5. The rotary-wing aircraft (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one primary blade (1) of the rotorcraft (10) and the plurality of secondary blades simultaneously during the rescue operation.

6. The rotary-wing aircraft (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the actuating member (52) is any one of hydraulic actuator or pneumatic actuator to fold and unfold the plurality of secondary blades (24) of the unmanned aerial vehicle UAV (20).

7. The rotary-wing aircraft (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the safety survival kit (30) comprises one or more safety survival materials (40).

8. The rotary-wing aircraft (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the safety survival kit (30) comprises a piston-cylinder mechanism to facilitate releasing of safety survival materials (40), the piston-cylinder mechanism comprises: drop off cylinders (70) configured to selectively release the safety survival materials (40).

9. The rotary-wing aircraft (100) as claimed in claim 7, wherein the survival materials (40) are configured to be released via guide ropes (48).

10. The rotary-wing aircraft (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sensing unit (50) includes at least one high-vision satellite camera (50) configured to identify the victim(s).

11. The rotary-wing aircraft (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the base assembly (22) comprises a control unit (54) configured to receive signal from the sensing unit (50) and to control the piston-cylinder mechanism, and a measuring unit (56) is configured to measure the pressure, temperature, velocity and flow rate of pressurized medium to activate the piston-cylinder mechanism, drop off cylinders, and the piston-cylinder mechanism for a bottom door of the safety survival kit (30).