Aerial vehicle with deployable components

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12365440-B2
Application number	US-202418426110-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jan 29, 2024
Priority date	Nov 11, 2015
Publication date	Jul 22, 2025
Grant date	Jul 22, 2025

Abstract

An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) having wings stowed against a fuselage of the UAV in a first arrangement is disclosed. Methods and systems for deploying the wings into a second arrangement are disclosed. For example, after a launch of the UAV, the UAV monitors for at least one precondition. The at least one pre-condition being a pre-condition associated with deploying wings of the UAV into the second arrangement. Upon detecting the at least one precondition, the wings of the UAV are deployed into a second arrangement. Deploying the wings comprises activating, in response to detecting the at least one precondition associated with the UAV, a gearbox configured to transition the wings from the first arrangement to the second arrangement. Roll control may be maintained throughout launch and deployment.

First claim

The following is claimed:

1. A method of deploying an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), the method comprising:
detecting at least one precondition of the UAV in a compact arrangement;
activating a gearbox connected to at least one wing upon the detection of the at least one precondition;
transitioning the at least one wing to from the compact arrangement to a deployed configuration using the gearbox; and
attaining a stable flight condition in the deployed configuration.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the at least one precondition comprises at least one of the following: velocity, acceleration, and leveling.

3. The method of claim 1 , further comprising adjusting a wing sweep angle with a transition of the at least one wing.

4. The method of claim 1 , further comprising expanding a length of the at least one wing upon after attaining the stable flight condition.

5. The method of claim 1 , further comprising deploying at least one additional component of the UAV after detection of the precondition.

6. The method of claim 5 , wherein the deployed at least one additional component is a telescoping boom.

7. The method of claim 6 , further comprising deploying an antenna associated with the telescoping boom.

8. The method of claim 5 , wherein deploying the at least one additional component further comprises deploying at least one stabilizer.

9. The method of claim 1 , further comprising detecting a launch.

10. The method of claim 9 , wherein detecting the launch comprises detecting the launch from at least one of: an aircraft and a tube-integrated system.

11. The method of claim 1 , further comprising maintaining roll control during the deployment of the at least one wing.

12. The method of claim 1 , wherein detecting the at least one precondition comprises detecting the at least one precondition associated with a distance travelled.

13. The method of claim 1 , further comprising adjusting a wingspan of the at least one wing in the deployed configuration.

14. The method of claim 13 , further comprising:
completing a mission; and
terminating the mission.

15. The method of claim 13 , further comprising activating a belt system for the adjustment of the wingspan.

16. The method of claim 13 , wherein adjusting the wingspan of the UAV further comprises at least one of the following: extending and retracting an outer section of the at least one wing and exposing an inner section of the at least one wing.

17. The method of claim 14 , further comprising detecting at least one additional precondition.

18. The method of claim 14 , further comprising actuating at least one control surface on the at least one wing.

19. The method of claim 18 , wherein attaining the stable flight condition comprises actuating at least one stabilizer of the UAV.

20. The method of claim 19 , further comprising operating the UAV with an on-board flight controller.

Assignees

• Anduril Industries Inc

Inventors

• Alley Nicholas Robert
• Steele Joshua Lemming
• Williams Jesse Owen
• Kuehme Daniel
• Phillips Jonathan Caleb

Classifications

• B64C5/02

  Tailplanes · CPC title

• B64C13/30

  using cable, chain, or rod mechanisms · CPC title

• B64C3/54 Primary

  Varying in area · CPC title

• B64U2201/20

  Remote controls · CPC title

• B64U50/13

  using external fans or propellers · CPC title