CHAIN-CONNECTED MICRO-AREAL VEHICLES

摘要

This invention proposes a method and an apparatus which enables one to combine several autonomous areal vehicles into a larger areal vehicle. In particular, the invention describes an apparatus capable of autonomous flight and consisting of multiple sections, each section supplied with a rotor. The sections are joined vertically, one on top of the other. A minimum of two joined sections provides for the possibility of performing horizontal maneuvers by means of controlling the angle between the axes of the corresponding sections at section joints as well as changing vehicle's orientation by menas of differential rotor speed of the respective rotors. The invention also describes a method of arranging a joint formation of winged areal vehicles whereby a number of winged sections is joined horizon- tally and the flapping of the wings between the sections is coordinated in such a manner as to increase the lift-to-drag ratio. Changing the angle between the sections during the flight is done to increase the maneuverability of the vehicle.