AIRFRAME OF A VOLITANT BODY

Number: 20240385621
Published: 2024-11-21
Filed: 2024-01-05
Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
Inventors: Wong; Clifford W. et al.
CPC: B64C1/061; B64C27/20; B64C39/022; B64C39/024; B64U10/14; B64U30/26; B64U50/14; G05D1/0816; G05D1/495; G05D1/69
Verdict: High Hardware
Source: Google Patents · FreePatentsOnline

The keeper's note

Flying-body (drone) airframe hardware with autonomous locomotion (continuation).

Abstract

Systems, methods, and apparatuses for an airframe of a volitant body are presented herein. An apparatus may include a body having a normal axis. The body comprising a central air passage communicating through the body along the normal axis of the body. The central air passage may have an inlet at a first end of the body and an outlet at a second end of the body, the second end being opposite the first end. The central air passage may form an interior surface of the body. The central air passage permitting a flow of air through the body via the central air passage. The inlet may be formed to produce a Venturi effect in the flow of air passing through the central air passage from the inlet to the outlet by choking the flow of air at the inlet.

Background

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

This disclosure relates to an airframe of a volitant body, and systems and method to control the volitant body. BACKGROUND

Quadcopters, sometimes called drones, are becoming increasingly popular for both recreational and commercial use. Drones may be autonomous, remote-controlled, semi-autonomous, and/or controlled by other techniques. Drones are typically complex devices that use exposed spinning propellers and/or plastic rail guards in the same plane as the propellers to provide a minimal form of protection. Though they can maintain efficiency, the configurations of exposed propellers and/or using plastic rail guards may be unsafe. Upon collision of the drone with a user, the exposed spinning propellers may cause bodily harm. SUMMARY

Some manufactures may encase a drone, or portions thereof, in a protective cage. The cage may expose the drone as the object of interest. That is, the cage is typically built for the specific purpose of encasing the drone for safety, but not hiding the drone entirely because users still need to see the drone itself to properly control it remotely from a distance. However, the cage may create turbulence and thus reduce thrust efficiency.

Certain racing drones, called “whoops”, shroud each propeller slightly to maintain airflow and lift, but may be sized to enable high speed movement-a priority of a racing drone. Further, exposed spinning propellers may not hide the fact a drone is being used as

Claims

1. An airframe of a flying device, the airframe comprising: a body, the body comprising: an interior surface defining a central air passage communicating through the body, the interior surface further defining an air inlet and an air outlet, the air outlet being opposite the air inlet, the central air passage permitting a flow of air through the body via the central air passage; wherein the interior surface is configured such that the air inlet tapers from a wide end to a narrow end, the wide end being open to an ambient environment, the narrow end being opposite the wide end; wherein a portion of the interior surface defines a constricted section that starts at the narrow end of the air inlet and terminates at an opening of the air outlet; wherein one or more mounting components are disposed within the constricted section, the one or more mounting components are configured to mount a propulsion system to the body; and wherein tapering of the air inlet forms a converging portion that causes a fluid pressure of the flow of air to decrease as the flow of air passes through the air inlet and into the constricted section, such that a velocity of the flow of air increases through the converging portion ahead of the one or more mounting components disposed within the constricted section. || 7. A flying device comprising: a propulsion system; and an airframe, the airframe comprising: a body, the body comprising: an interior surface defining a central air passage communicating through the body, the interior surface further defining an air inlet and an air outlet, the air outlet being opposite the air inlet, the central air passage permitting a flow of air through the body via the central air passage; wherein the interior surface is configured such that the air inlet tapers from a wide end to a narrow end, the wide end being open to an ambient environment, the narrow end being opposite the wide end; wherein a portion of the interior surface defines a constricted section that starts at the narrow end of the air inlet and terminates at an opening of the air outlet; wherein one or more mounting components are disposed within the constricted section, the one or more mounting components are configured to mount the propulsion system to the body; and wherein tapering of the air inlet forms a converging portion that causes a fluid pressure of the flow of air to decrease as the flow of air passes through the air inlet and into the constricted section, such that a velocity of the flow of air increases through the converging portion ahead of the one or more mounting components disposed within the constricted section.