Multicopter with Detachable Wing

摘要

An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) that can operate both as a conventional multicopter with no wing attached, or, it can operate as a winged multicopter. The detachable wing design used in the invention provides versatility without compromising performance; the wing attachment receptacles add no weight to the wingless multicopter configuration because they also function as the leg receptacles. In one embodiment, the base multicopter configuration is a quad-copter with four propeller drives. Four tubular receptacles, two forward and two aft, provide attachment points for the vertical struts of a detachable rectangular shaped wing, these vertical struts also function as the legs of the multicopter. The wing is fabricated using lightweight struts and rip stop nylon fabric which can be easily folded into a compact shape using quick release pins. In another embodiment, the wing is fabricated using a foam core. In both embodiments, the angle of the detachable wing can be adjusted to optimize lift and drag in the forward thrust, tilted position of the multicopter.

主权项

1. An unmanned aerial vehicle assembly, comprising:
a plurality of propeller drives comprising a propeller attached to an electric motor, a rigid frame wherein the said plurality of propeller drives are mounted, said electric motors wherein each of the rotor axes are in a vertical orientation, said rigid frame wherein a detachable wing can be mounted, whereby the said unmanned aerial vehicle can ascend, descend, hover, and move forward with or without the said detachable wing.