GB2618532A

GB2618532A - Unmanned aerial vehicle

Info

Publication number: GB2618532A
Application number: GB2206618.7A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Purnell Mark
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2022-05-06
Filing date: 2022-05-06
Publication date: 2023-11-15

Abstract

An unmanned aerial vehicle 10 operable by a remote pilot, comprises a housing 14, an explosive charge 12 retained on/or within the housing 14 and an electromagnet for securing the unmanned aerial vehicle 10 to a metal target. The UAV may have four propellers 22. The UAV may have a length and width less than 25cm, and a speed greater than 100mph (161kph). The electromagnet may be activated and/or deactivated by the pilot. The explosive charge may activate after a predetermined time after the electromagnet is activated. The UAV may be equipped with a 360o camera 24. The UAV may be provided with an automatic return setting. The UAV may be remotely piloted using a VR headset, the headset being used to activate the explosive charge and the electromagnet.

Description

UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLE

The present invention relates to an unmanned aerial vehicle. BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), also known as drones, are remotely piloted aircraft employed in both military and civil applications. Military applications of which UAVs have been employed include surveillance, target acquisition and carrying aircraft ordnance.

Aircraft ordnance carried by UAVs can include guns, missiles and explosive charges. The use of aircraft ordnance carried by a UAV may reduce the possibility of collateral damage compared to aircraft ordnance carried by manned aircraft. This is a result of their agility, both low and fast speeds and ability to penetrate further into dangerous territory without risking a pilot. However, collateral damage is still a possibility.

When targeting a fast-moving target, such as a vehicle, it may be desirable to activate the explosive charge when the vehicle is moving or once the vehicle has moved away from unintended targets to avoid collateral damage. However, it may be difficult for a UAV to follow a fast-moving target accurately or covertly.

Furthermore, where a UAV carries an explosive charge, the explosive action is typically triggered when the drone reaches the intended target. This can lead to collateral damage where a target is not confirmed.

UAVs may also be tracked or located by targets and then disabled using counter unmanned air systems such as UAV jammers.

It is an object of the present invention to reduce or substantially obviate the aforementioned problems.

STATEMENT OF INVENTION

According to the present invention there is provided an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) operable by a remote pilot, the unmanned aerial vehicle comprising: a housing; an explosive charge retained on or within the housing; and an electromagnet for securing the unmanned aerial vehicle to a metal target.

The UAV can be used to fly towards a target while carrying an explosive charge. The increased agility of a UAV over a guided missile, for example, allows the explosive charge to be precisely directed to a target and minimise collateral damage. The explosive charge carried by the UAV may be used to disable vehicles, armaments or defensive fighting positions.

The electromagnet can secure the UAV to metal targets. The UAV may be flown into an area and remain in position on a metal target. Attaching to a metal target may be more covert than hovering in position near the target. Attaching to a target may allow a pilot to bide their time and activate the explosive charge once a target has been confirmed or when a better opportunity has presented itself. Furthermore, the UAV may attach itself to moving targets, enabling the explosive charge to remain in the vicinity of the target without requiring the UAV to follow the target in the air.

The unmanned aerial vehicle may comprise at least four propellers. The four propellers may provide the lift and thrust necessary to pilot the UAV. The four propellers are provided in pairs. Each propeller in each pair may be equidistant from a main body of the UAV.

The unmanned aerial vehicle may have a length less than 25cm. The unmanned aerial vehicle may have a width less than 25cm. The UAV may be palm sized. The relatively small size of the UAV facilitates fast flight. The UAV may have a maximum speed greater than 100mph. The relatively small size and fast speed of the UAV makes it more difficult to track or locate by a target. In other words, the UAV may be considered covert by nature of its size and speed. The maximum speed greater than 100mph may enable the UAV to pursue fast moving targets. Furthermore, smaller UAVs tend to be less expensive.

The electromagnet may be activated and/or deactivated by the pilot. By activating and deactivating the electromagnet, the pilot may choose a different target, move the explosive charge to a more advantageous position, or move the explosive charge away from an area if the pilot suspects there may be collateral damage.

The explosive charge may activate after a predetermined time after the electromagnet is activated. The predetermined time may be a delay. The delay may be, for example, 1 minute, 10 minutes or 30 minutes. The delay may be any time, selected according to the nature of an operation. The predetermined time may be a set time, for example 22:00. Setting a predetermined time may facilitate a co-ordinated attack on a target and/or plurality of targets.

The unmanned aerial vehicle may comprise surveillance equipment for providing surveillance information to the pilot. The surveillance equipment may allow the unmanned aerial vehicle to be used for reconnaissance. The surveillance equipment may be used by the pilot to identify and/or confirm the target before activating the explosive charge, thereby reducing collateral damage. The surveillance equipment may include a camera. The camera may be a 360° camera.

The unmanned aerial vehicle may comprise an automatic return setting for guiding the unmanned aerial vehicle to a predetermined location. This setting may be used to recall the UAV back to the pilot, for example.

The unmanned aerial vehicle may be remotely piloted using a virtual reality (VR) headset. The VR headset may display the surveillance information from the surveillance equipment, for example, visual information from the camera.

The explosive charge may be activated using the VR headset. The pilot may activate the explosive charge once the pilot has confirmed the target.

The electromagnet may be activated and/or deactivated using the VR headset.

The VR headset may have a signal range of at least 8km, or at least 9km or preferably at least 10km. The signal range of the VR headset defines how far away the UAV may be operated by the pilot. It is advantageous to pilot the UAV at an increased distance away from the pilot as this allows the pilot to be in a safe location distant from the target.

A long signal range may further facilitate the use of the UAV. In situations where the UAV is secured on a vehicle moving in a direction away from the location of the pilot, the pilot may continue to remotely operate the UAV.

The automatic return setting may activate if the signal between the unmanned aerial drone and VR headset is lost. This prevents the UAV from being lost should the UAV exceed the distance of the signal range of the VR headset at which point the pilot cannot pilot the UAV manually.

The unmanned aerial vehicle may be able to self-right itself should it fall to the ground.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a better understanding of the present invention, and to show more clearly how it may be carried into effect, reference will now be made by way of example only to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure la shows a plan view of an unmanned aerial vehicle according to the present invention; Figure lb shows a bottom view of the unmanned aerial vehicle of Figure 1; and Figure 2 shows a schematic of a system comprising the unmanned aerial vehicle of Figure 1 and a virtual reality headset.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring firstly to Figure la an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) is generally shown at 10. The UAV 10 is used to provide reconnaissance information and deliver an explosive charge 12. In this embodiment, the explosive charge 12 is retained within a housing 14. The UAV 10 includes electromagnets 16 for securing the UAV 10 to a metal target.

The UAV has a main body 18. In this embodiment, the main body 18 is substantially rectangular, however, it will be appreciated that the main body 18 may be any shape.

Four arms 20 protrude from the main body 18. The four arms 20 protrude from each corner of the main body 18.

The UAV 10 has four propellers 22. Each propeller is disposed on an arm 20. The four propellers 22 provide the lift and thrust required to pilot the UAV 10.

The explosive charge 12 is disposed within the housing 14 of the main body 18.

Where a larger explosive charge 12 is required, a plurality of UAVs 10 may be employed. For example, a swarm of UAVs 10 may attach to a metal target at one time.

The amount of explosive charge 12 that is activated can be controlled by controlling the number of UAVs 10 used. This ensures that the explosive charge 12 used is no more than is necessary, potentially reducing collateral damage.

The UAV 10 comprises a UAV signal receiver/transmitter 26. The UAV signal receiver/transmitter 26 is disposed in the housing 14. The UAV signal receiver/transmitter 26 enables wireless communication with a second signal receiver/transmitter as described below in reference to Figure 2.

Referring now to Figure lb, the electromagnets are provided as a plurality of electromagnetic pads 16. The electromagnetic pads 16 are disposed within the housing 14. The electromagnetic pads 16 are disposed near the underside of the body 18 of the UAV 10. The electromagnetic pads 16 are disposed undemeath the explosive charge 12. The electromagnetic pads 16 can be activated. Activating the electromagnetic pads 16 magnetises the main body 18 of the UAV 10. The underside of the main body 18 may attach to a metal target once magnetised. The electromagnetic pads 16 can be subsequently deactivated. Deactivating the electromagnetic pads 16 demagnetises the main body 18 of the UAV. Once demagnetised, the UAV 10 detaches from the metal target.

Surveillance equipment is provided on the main body 18. The surveillance equipment includes a camera 24. The camera 24 is a 360° camera. The camera 24 is disposed on the underside of the main body 18 as to prevent images of the surroundings from being blocked by the propellers 22. In other embodiments, the surveillance equipment may include a microphone.

Referring to Figure 2, a system comprising the unmanned aerial vehicle 10 and a VR headset 110 is generally shown at 100.

The VR headset 110 has a VR headset signal receiver/transmitter 112. A wireless link 114 is formed between the UAV receiver/transmitter 26 and the VR headset signal receiver/transmitter 112. In this embodiment, the wireless link 114 has a signal range of approximately 10km.

The UAV 10 may be remotely piloted using the VR headset 110 via the wireless link 114.

The UAV 10 has an automatic return setting. The automatic return setting guides the UAV 10 to a predetermined location. This setting can be activated by the pilot. The automatic return setting additionally activates if the wireless link 114 between the UAV and the VR headset is lost. Under these conditions, the pilot would be unable to fly the UAV 10 manually.

The plurality of electromagnetic pads (16, Figure 1b) can be remotely activated and/or deactivated by the pilot using the VR headset 110.

The explosive charge 12 can be remotely activated by the pilot using the VR headset 110. In other embodiments, the explosive charge 12 is activated after a predetermined period of time after the electromagnetic pads (16, Figure 1 b) are activated. In further embodiments, the explosive charge 12 can be set to activate at a predetermined time for a co-ordinated attack.

The camera (24, Figure lb) can be remotely controlled by the pilot using the VR headset 110. The visual input from the camera (24, Figure lb) is transmitted to the VR headset 110 via the wireless link 114. The visual input from the camera (24, Figure lb) is displayed on a visual display 116 in the VR headset 110. In other words, the camera imaging is displayed by the VR headset 110 to facilitate the piloting of the UAV 10 and the identification of targets.

The embodiments described above are provided by way of example only, and various changes and modifications will be apparent to persons skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

CLAIMS1. An unmanned aerial vehicle operable by a remote pilot, the unmanned aerial vehicle comprising: a housing; an explosive charge retained on or within the housing and an electromagnet for securing the unmanned aerial vehicle to a metal target.
2. An unmanned aerial vehicle as claimed in claim 1, in which the unmanned aerial vehicle comprises at least four propellers.
3. An unmanned aerial vehicle as claimed in claims 1 or 2, wherein the unmanned aerial vehicle has a length and width each less than 25cm.
4. An unmanned aerial vehicle as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the unmanned aerial vehicle has a maximum speed greater than 100mph.
5. An unmanned aerial vehicle as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the electromagnet is activated and/or deactivated by the pilot.
6. An unmanned aerial vehicle as claimed in claim 5, in which the explosive charge activates after a predetermined time after the electromagnet is activated.
7. An unmanned aerial vehicle as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the unmanned aerial vehicle comprises surveillance equipment for providing surveillance information to the pilot.
8. An unmanned aerial vehicle as claimed in claim 7, in which the surveillance equipment includes a 3600 camera.
9. An unmanned aerial vehicle as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the unmanned aerial vehicle comprises an automatic return setting for guiding the unmanned aerial vehicle to a predetermined location.
10. An unmanned aerial vehicle as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the unmanned aerial vehicle is remotely piloted using a VR headset.
11. An unmanned aerial vehicle as claimed in claim 10, in which the explosive charge is activated using the VS headset.
12. An unmanned aerial vehicle as claimed in claim 10 or 11 when dependent on claims 5 or 6, in which the electromagnet is activated and/or deactivated using the VS headset.
13. An unmanned aerial vehicle as claimed in any of claims 10 to 12, in which the VR headset has a signal range of at least 10km.
14. An unmanned aerial vehicle as claimed in any of claims 10 to 13 when dependent on claim 9, in which the automatic return setting activates if the signal between the unmanned aerial drone and VS headset is lost.