RU239529U1 - Tailsitter Unmanned Cargo - Google Patents

Abstract

The utility model relates to the field of aviation, in particular to the designs of unmanned aerial vehicles with vertical takeoff and landing, and is intended for the transportation of goods between drone ports. The technical result of the claimed technical solution is to ensure an optimal balance between compactness and efficiency while minimizing the overall width of the apparatus. The technical result is achieved by an unmanned cargo tailsitter for transporting goods between drone ports, comprising a fuselage, in the nose of which a battery is placed; an opening cargo compartment located in the fuselage, wherein the tailsitter's center of gravity is located in the cavity of the cargo compartment; three rows of wings, wherein the upper and lower wings are shifted back relative to the middle pair of wings, and the middle pair of wings is fixed to the fuselage; the wings are connected by pylons; at least two electric motors with propellers are mounted on the upper and lower wings; The upper and lower wings are made equidistant from the tailsitter's center of gravity; electric motors with propellers are mounted on the upper and lower wings equidistant from the tailsitter's center of gravity; electric motors with propellers are located in such a way that the edges of the propellers do not extend beyond the outer dimensions of the wings along the span; the cargo compartment is equipped with a symmetrical pair of flaps.

Description

The utility model relates to the field of aviation, in particular to the design of vertical takeoff and landing unmanned aerial vehicles, and is intended for transporting cargo between drone ports.

The field of logistics technologies is currently experiencing rapid development in automated delivery systems, with the use of unmanned aerial systems (UAS) in combination with a network of specialized droneports becoming particularly important. The key advantages of this technology include high transport efficiency, thanks to the movement of cargo along optimal air trajectories, bypassing ground infrastructure, and the functionality of droneports, which perform a range of tasks, including receiving and dispatching cargo, automated charging, technical diagnostics, and UAV maintenance. Key operational parameters include payload capacity and range. To increase range, it is advisable to use aerodynamic designs with lifting surfaces, which reduce energy consumption through the use of lift and increase cruising speed. However, in urban environments, vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) is essential.

The closest in technical essence is the "TAILSITTER" according to Russian Federation Patent for Invention No. 2775027, dated June 28, 2019, IPC B64C 29/02, B64C 39/06, B64C 39/08, published June 27, 2022. The known tailsitter comprises a wing with a closed frontal section and a fuselage from which the wing protrudes. The wing is a non-planar wing closed on itself, having no free ends, comprising a first section protruding from the fuselage, a second section located at a distance from the first section, and first and second connecting sections, which are located between the corresponding ends of the first section and the second section. The first section and the second section are parallel to each other. The wing carries a pair of engines.

The known device can move horizontally using the lift of its wing and has the ability to take off and land vertically, but the design of the known tailsitter does not provide for the ability to transport cargo between drone ports.

The objective of the proposed technical solution is to create a cargo unmanned aerial vehicle for transporting cargo between drone ports, while still meeting the dimensional requirements of drone ports.

The problem is solved by means of an unmanned cargo tailsitter for transporting cargo between drone ports, comprising a fuselage with a battery located in the nose section; an opening cargo compartment located in the fuselage, wherein the tailsitter's center of gravity is located in the cavity of the cargo compartment; three rows of wings, wherein the upper and lower wings are shifted backward relative to the middle pair of wings, and the middle pair of wings is fixed to the fuselage; the wings are connected by pylons; at least two electric motors with propellers are mounted on the upper and lower wings; the upper and lower wings are made equidistant from the tailsitter's center of gravity; the electric motors with propellers are mounted on the upper and lower wings equidistant from the tailsitter's center of gravity; the electric motors with propellers are arranged in such a way that the edges of the propellers do not extend beyond the outer spanwise dimensions of the wings; the cargo compartment is provided with a symmetrical pair of flaps.

The essence of the technical solution is illustrated by the drawing, where Fig. 1 shows an unmanned cargo tailsitter.

In Fig. 1: tailsitter 1 unmanned cargo, fuselage 2, nose section 3, cargo compartment 4, upper wing 5, lower wing 6, middle pair of wings 7, pylons 8, electric motors 9, propellers 10, doors 11, parking supports 12.

The unmanned cargo tailsitter is designed as follows.

Tailsitter 1, an unmanned cargo vehicle, is designed for the automatic transportation of cargo between drone ports. Tailsitter 1 comprises fuselage 2 and three rows of wings. The number of wing rows is determined by the need to minimize the overall width of tailsitter 1 to ensure its compatibility with the drone port infrastructure restrictions regarding the dimensions of the supported aircraft. At the same time, the total area of the lifting surfaces guarantees the possibility of efficient horizontal flight in airplane mode, providing sufficient lift to minimize energy consumption. Fuselage 2 contains an opening cargo compartment 4. Compartment 4 is designed to accommodate the transported cargo in standard-sized packaging. Compartment 4 is optionally equipped with a symmetrical pair of flaps 11, located in the aft section of fuselage 2 of tailsitter 1. Flaps 11 are designed to be automatically serviced by the drone port, for example, using a manipulator. In the nose section 3 of the fuselage 2, at least one battery power element is located. The power element may be located either in a single housing or in the form of several elements located in separate housings. A middle pair of wings 7 is attached to the fuselage 2. The middle pair of wings 7 is connected by pylons 8 to the upper wing 5 and the lower wing 6. At least two electric motors 9 with propellers 10 are mounted on the upper 5 and lower 6 wings. In a particular case of the implementation of the tailsitter 1, the propellers 10 are made tractor and are located in front of the leading edge of the wings 5 and 6. In another particular case of the implementation, the propellers 10 are made pusher and are located behind the trailing edge of the wings 5 and 6. Optionally, the electric motors 9 with propellers 10 are arranged in such a way that the edge of the propeller 10 does not extend beyond the outer span of the wing. This arrangement does not increase the overall width of tailsitter 1 and ensures compatibility with drone ports. Optionally, the upper 5 and lower 6 wings are positioned equidistant from the center of gravity of tailsitter 1. Optionally, four electric motors 9 with propellers 10 are mounted on the upper 5 and lower 6 wings equidistant from the center of gravity of tailsitter 1. The upper 5 and lower 6 wings are equipped with parking supports 12 located behind the trailing edge and designed to stably position tailsitter 1 on the drone port's takeoff and landing platform. The upper 5 and lower 6 wings with electric motors 9 and propellers 10 mounted thereon are shifted backwards relative to the middle pair of wings 7. This arrangement makes it possible to compensate for the shift in the center of mass due to the heavy battery power element located in the nose section 3 of the fuselage 2, and to locate the center of mass of the tailsitter 1 in the cavity of the cargo compartment 4. The location of the center of mass near the geometric center of the cargo compartment 4 helps to stabilize the balancing of the tailsitter 1. Due to this arrangement, the placement of cargo in the cavity of the cargo compartment 4 does not lead to a significant shift in the center of mass, which ensures the balancing of the tailsitter 1 and the efficiency of its flight with high aerodynamic quality both with cargo and in an empty state.

The unmanned cargo tailsitter is used as follows.

Tailsitter 1 is positioned on the droneport's takeoff and landing platform. Tailsitter 1 is mounted on parking supports 12, oriented with the aircraft's axis vertical. Diagnostics and maintenance of tailsitter 1 are performed. The battery is charged or replaced. Doors 11 are opened, for example, using the droneport's manipulator. The cargo to be transported is placed in cargo compartment 4, for example, using a telescopic manipulator. The cargo is pre-packaged in standard-sized packaging. Doors 11 are closed. The corresponding flight mission is loaded into the onboard computer. Electric motors 9 are started. The lift generated by rotating propellers 10 ensures vertical takeoff of tailsitter 1. Upon reaching the specified altitude, tailsitter 1 transitions to horizontal flight by rotating about its transverse axis. Tailsitter 1 reaches cruising speed and moves toward the receiving droneport. Upon reaching the target location, Tailsitter 1 enters vertical flight mode, rotating about its transverse axis while pointing its tail downward. Tailsitter 1 descends and lands on the receiving droneport platform. Using the droneport's manipulators, doors 11 are opened and the delivered cargo is removed. Tailsitter 1 is then subjected to diagnostics, maintenance, and battery charging. The next cargo is placed in cargo compartment 4, and Tailsitter 1 is sent empty to another droneport or left at the current droneport until a corresponding delivery request is received. During horizontal flight without cargo, Tailsitter 1 maintains its high aerodynamic qualities thanks to its balanced configuration, which ensures close centers of mass for both the loaded and unladen aircraft. To ensure horizontal flight at cruising speed of a significantly lighter empty aircraft, it is sufficient to adjust the angle of attack.

The three-row wing design, with propellers 10 positioned within wingspan dimensions 5 and 6, provides an optimal balance between compactness and efficiency. The three-row wing arrangement, while minimizing the aircraft's overall width, allows for compliance with drone port dimensional requirements, while the combined lifting surface area generates sufficient lift for energy-efficient horizontal flight. The rearward offset of the upper wing 5 and lower wing 6, housing the engines 9 and propellers 10, relative to the middle pair of wings 7, balances the mass of the battery pack located in the nose and ensures a high degree of alignment between the centers of mass of the loaded and unladen tailsitter 1. This solution ensures stable balance and aerodynamic characteristics in both states, maintaining high aerodynamic quality and energy efficiency regardless of the presence of cargo. As an alternative to existing technical solutions, Tailsitter 1 expands the range of tools available for transporting cargo between drone ports.

The technical result of the claimed technical solution is to ensure an optimal balance between compactness and efficiency while minimizing the overall width of the apparatus. The technical result is achieved by an unmanned cargo tailsitter for transporting cargo between drone ports, comprising a fuselage, in the nose section of which a battery is located; an opening cargo compartment located in the fuselage, wherein the tailsitter's center of gravity is located in the cavity of the cargo compartment; three rows of wings, wherein the upper and lower wings are shifted backward relative to the middle pair of wings, and the middle pair of wings is fixed to the fuselage; the wings are connected by pylons; at least two electric motors with propellers are mounted on the upper and lower wings; the upper and lower wings are made equidistant from the tailsitter's center of gravity; electric motors with propellers are mounted on the upper and lower wings equidistant from the tailsitter's center of gravity; The electric motors with propellers are arranged in such a way that the edges of the propellers do not extend beyond the outer dimensions of the wingspan; the cargo compartment is equipped with a symmetrical pair of doors.

Claims (5)

1. An unmanned cargo tailsitter for transporting cargo between drone ports, comprising a fuselage with a battery located in the nose section; an opening cargo compartment located in the fuselage, wherein the tailsitter's center of gravity is located in the cavity of the cargo compartment; three rows of wings, wherein the middle pair of wings is attached to the fuselage, and the upper and lower wings are shifted rearward relative to the middle pair of wings; the wings are connected by pylons; at least two electric motors with propellers are mounted on the upper and lower wings. 2. The tailsitter according to paragraph 1, characterized in that the upper and lower wings are made equidistant from the center of gravity of the tailsitter. 3. The tailsitter according to paragraph 1, characterized in that the electric motors with propellers are installed on the upper and lower wings at equal distances from the center of gravity of the tailsitter. 4. A tailsitter according to claim 1, characterized in that the electric motors with propellers are arranged in such a way that the edges of the propellers do not extend beyond the outer dimensions of the wingspan. 5. A tailsitter according to claim 1, characterized in that the cargo compartment is provided with a symmetrical pair of flaps.