RU2825353C1 - Unmanned aerial vehicle-interceptor - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: aviation.

SUBSTANCE: unmanned aerial vehicle-interceptor has a body with control systems, navigation and power supply, a propeller-driven group, as well as a device for throwing a weapon. Throwing device comprises three throwing tubes connected to cavity containing compensation chamber with surface of concave shape arranged opposite to inlet connecting cavity with source of excess pressure.

EFFECT: broader functional capabilities of an interceptor UAV.

8 cl, 4 dwg

Description

The invention relates to the field of aviation technology, namely to unmanned aerial vehicles (hereinafter referred to as UAVs) designed to intercept or damage small-sized aircraft in the event of their unauthorized flights.

There are a number of known means of protecting airspace from unauthorized UAV flights, including electronic warfare (EW) means , hitting targets with shells or missiles, and catching them with nets (deployed, fired).

Thus, a device for intercepting unmanned aerial vehicles is known (RU Patent 2738383, published on 19.10.2020), comprising a housing, a control equipment unit, a power supply system, an autopilot and a control command receiver, detection sensors, electric motors with propellers, as well as a variable geometry wing equipped with a net for catching an intruder UAV. The known solution additionally contains hinges and an electric motor with a gearbox, which provide a change in the wing geometry. The use of the device, in particular, involves dividing it into two parts connected by a net and their dispersion, which complicates the design, operation and maintenance of this technical solution. In another case, the device includes four independent housings carrying a container with a net. Parts of the device are controlled using UAV group control algorithms. At the same time, currently known UAV swarm control algorithms use high-precision satellite navigation technology. In the conditions of operation of electronic warfare systems, navigation is jammed first, which makes the operation of this device difficult.

A fighter device for destroying unmanned aerial vehicles is known (Patent of the Russian Federation 2767401, published on 17.03.2022), including a radar, a remotely piloted aircraft with video cameras and motion sensors, containers for cassettes with striking elements in the form of capsules with a needle containing a small-sized radio transmitter and a warhead with a timer for its detonation at a specified time. The concept of using the fighter device involves approaching the intruder UAV in the rear plane, equalizing the speeds and firing the charge. This tactic is impossible in the case of a maneuvering target, which reduces the functionality of the known device.

A multi-purpose UAV interceptor is known (Patent of the Russian Federation 2723203, published on June 9, 2020), comprising a ram with a striking part, a device for absorbing impact energy with a hinge and a damper in the form of a shock absorber. A frame with a stretched net and a harpoon are installed on the ram. The known device contains a number of complex mechanized units that must be adjusted to collision conditions in real time. The deployed ram module is comparable in size to or exceeds the dimensions of the carrier, which can impair the aerodynamics of the interceptor. Consequently, the ram module must be activated immediately before a collision with an intruder. This imposes high requirements on the operation of the guidance and control system, which increases the likelihood of a miss, especially in the case of pursuing a maneuverable air target.

Also known is an unmanned aerial vehicle-interceptor (Patent of the Russian Federation 2699148, published 03.09.2019), which consists of a fuselage in the form of a truss structure, a trapezoidal wing with engines. In the fuselage along the calculated axis by means of a sliding support "dovetail" and a rear damping unit, the weapons - a shooting complex are attached. The known device requires high guidance accuracy under any wind load, which limits its applicability for effectively achieving the result. In addition, firearms have limited application in the civilian sphere.

The task that the claimed invention is aimed at solving is to create a multifunctional UAV interceptor that is reliable in performing tasks to protect against unauthorized UAV flights.

The technical result achieved by the invention consists in expanding the functional capabilities of the UAV interceptor, characterized by reliable operation while maintaining the characteristics of its flight trajectory.

In order to achieve the technical result, an unmanned aerial vehicle-interceptor is claimed, including a body with control, navigation and power supply systems, a device for throwing a means of destruction and a propeller-motor group, characterized in that it contains a device for throwing means of destruction, made in the form of at least three throwing tubes placed on the body, connected to a cavity containing a compensation chamber with a concave surface, placed opposite the entrance connecting the cavity with a source of excess pressure.

The UAV interceptor may contain a throwing net as a means of destruction.

The UAV interceptor can contain pellets as a means of destruction.

The interceptor UAV may contain a propeller-motor group operating in the “pusher propeller” mode.

The interceptor UAV may contain electronic boards placed on a plane perpendicular to the throwing axis by means of shock-absorbing struts.

The interceptor UAV may contain electronic circuit boards coated with compound.

The UAV interceptor can be made in the form of a multicopter.

The UAV interceptor can be built on an aircraft chassis.

Unlike the known solutions, the proposed UAV interceptor has a device for throwing the means of destruction in the form of at least three throwing tubes placed on the body, which allows using various means of throwing, for example, a cloud of pellets or a throwing net, depending on the tasks and environmental conditions. The use of at least three throwing tubes is necessary in order to deploy the throwing net in a plane - to capture and tow the intruder UAV. In this case, a larger number of throwing tubes can be used (optimally - four), which will create a larger number of points for turning the net to capture or actively use pellets - to destroy the intruder UAV. In this case, the throwing device can be located on different parts of the UAV interceptor body: in front of the nose on the longitudinal axis of the interceptor; at an acute angle to the longitudinal axis of the interceptor in the upper or lower part of the body. The implementation of the throwing device in the form of at least three throwing tubes and their placement on the body of the UAV interceptor allows it to be used as a ramming device - depending on the prevailing conditions, for example, when it is impossible to capture or defeat by other means, as well as in the event of a miss. This ensures the expansion of the functional capabilities of the claimed invention, and also affects the reliability of its operation, since the device is devoid of complex mechanized units.

Another important condition for the reliable operation of the UAV interceptor is maintaining the flight trajectory when throwing the means of destruction. In the claimed invention, the reduction of the "recoil effect" is ensured by a compensation chamber. The said chamber is located in the cavity connecting the throwing tubes and the source of excess pressure used when throwing the means of destruction. The chamber includes a concave surface located opposite the entrance connecting the cavity with the source of excess pressure. Due to the space with walls formed by the concave surface of the chamber, some of the gases are retained in this space, moving the device forward, which reduces the change in the flight trajectory of the interceptor caused by the throwing. The said solution for recoil compensation does not contain moving parts, does not require technically complex maintenance, which also has a positive effect on the reliability of the device.

In one case, for example, in densely populated areas, the interceptor UAV performs the function of capturing the intruder UAV using a means of destruction in the form of a throwing net.

In another case, for example, on the line of military contact, the UAV interceptor performs the function of destruction by throwing a cloud of pellets.

In another case, for example, under strong wind load or in case of unsuccessful actions to capture or destroy the intruder UAV, the interceptor UAV performs the destruction function, using the throwing tubes as a ram. In this case, the use of the propeller-motor group in the "pusher propeller" mode allows ramming the device body with the throwing tubes installed on it without fear of getting damage to the motors and propellers.

At the same time, the placement of electronic boards of the control and navigation system on a plane perpendicular to the throwing axis by means of rubber shock-absorbing struts, and covering the boards with a compound allows for a reduction in the load on the electronic components during throwing.

The essence of the invention is explained by figures with visual images of the UAV interceptor. In Fig. 1 - UAV interceptor in the form of a multicopter, side view; in Fig. 2 - UAV interceptor of multicopter type in section; in Fig. 3 - UAV interceptor on aircraft chassis, side view; in Fig. 4 - UAV interceptor on aircraft chassis in section, wherein:

1 - body;

2 - device for throwing weapons (throwing tubes);

3 - propeller-motor group;

4 - cavity with compensation chamber;

5 - compensation chamber;

6 - an input connecting the cavity with a source of excess pressure;

7 - source of excess pressure;

8 - electronic boards for flight control controllers, throwing device, navigation, guidance;

9 - battery;

10 - detection and distance determination sensors;

11 - wads;

12 - holder with throwing net;

13 - electromagnet;

14 - aerodynamic planes;

The unmanned aerial vehicle-interceptor includes a body 1 with control and navigation systems containing electronic boards 8, a power supply system with a battery 9, a propeller-motor group 3, a device for throwing weapons 2 in the form of at least three throwing tubes placed on the body 1, connected to a cavity 4 with a compensation chamber 5 with a concave surface placed opposite an inlet 6 connecting the cavity 4 with a source of excess pressure 7.

The UAV interceptor has a body 1 in the form of a fairing - a lightweight plastic casing, a control and navigation system with electronic boards 8 of the flight control controller, the throwing device control, the guidance module, the remote control radio signal receiver, the radio transmitter, the satellite navigation receiver, as well as a power supply system containing a battery 9 and a power distribution circuit. Electronic boards 8 are placed on a plane perpendicular to the throwing axis, secured by means of rubber shock-absorbing struts and covered with a compound.

The UAV interceptor is equipped with detection and distance determination sensors 10 - a video camera connected to a radio transmitter for transmitting video information to the operator and to a guidance module - for the possibility of autonomous control of the UAV interceptor in order to keep the selected aerial target in the center of the video camera field without the operator's participation - and a range finder of any type (ultrasonic, optical, radar), connected to the control board of the throwing device.

On the body 1 of the UAV-interceptor, by means of, for example, a threaded connection, at an angle of 25-30 degrees to the longitudinal axis of the UAV-interceptor (for the best opening of the throwing net), throwing tubes 2 are installed, inside which wads 11 are placed. The wads are tied to the corners of the net, folded in a light holder 12, made, for example, in the form of a plastic cavity of a conical shape, placed between the tubes 2. In another case, shot is placed in the throwing tubes 2 between the wads 11.

The throwing tubes 2 are connected to a cavity 4 located in the housing 1, containing a compensation chamber 5 with a concave surface, located opposite the inlet 6, connecting the cavity 4 with the excess pressure source 7. A cylinder with compressed air or a pyropatron can be used as the excess pressure source 7. The excess pressure source 7 is fastened inside the housing 1 by means of a universal connecting thread and is equipped with a trigger device in the form of an electromagnet 13.

The UAV interceptor can be made in the form of a multicopter or on an aircraft chassis equipped with motors and propellers.

Example 1.

The UAV-interceptor is made in the form of a multicopter (Fig. 1, 2), containing, for example, four throwing tubes 2, located in the nose part of the body, between which a holder with a throwing net 12 is placed. The tubes 2 are connected to a cavity 4, in which a compensation chamber 5 with a concave surface is located, located opposite the inlet 6, connecting the cavity 4 with a cylinder with compressed air 7 under a pressure of 50-70 atm. Behind the specified elements there is a compartment with electronic boards 8, the battery compartment 9 is located in the lower part of the body. The video camera and the rangefinder 10 are fixed in the nose part of the UAV-interceptor. In the aft part of the body there are beams made in the form of aerodynamic planes 14, at the ends of which a propeller-motor group 3 is located, containing four motors with propellers. The specified group operates in the “pusher propeller” mode, moving the device forward and throwing air back, which is optimal when implementing the ramming function of the UAV interceptor.

Example 2.

The UAV interceptor is made on an aircraft chassis (Fig. 3, 4) and contains, for example, four throwing tubes 2, in which pellets are placed. Throwing tubes 2 communicate with a cavity 4 containing a compensation chamber 5 with a concave surface, located opposite the entrance connecting the cavity 4 with a source of excess pressure 7. The UAV interceptor, similar to example 1, contains a compartment with electronic boards 8, a battery 9, a video camera and a rangefinder 10. The device for throwing weapons (throwing tubes) 2 can be located, for example, in the nose section (as shown in Fig. 3) for throwing along the course of the interceptor or in the lower part of the fuselage - for throwing downwards. In the middle part of the body there are two wings, as well as two motors with propellers 3.

The claimed invention operates as follows.

When an intruder UAV is detected, for example, by radar or visually detected, identified, and the degree of danger and coordinates determined, the operator raises the interceptor UAV into the air and controls it until the aerial target is detected on the interceptor’s video camera screen.

If the interceptor UAV has a module for automatic guidance and target holding without operator intervention, the interceptor UAV approaches the intruder UAV to a distance of 5-8 m. The rangefinder continuously determines the distance to the aerial target and transmits the information to the control module of the throwing device. Upon reaching the operating distance (5-8 m), this module activates the electromagnet, and the excess pressure causes the ejection of the throwing net or cloud of pellets. In this case, the “recoil effect” is compensated for by the shape of the compensation chamber, which holds back some of the gases that propel the device forward, which reduces the change in the interceptor’s flight trajectory caused by the throwing. The throwing net becomes entangled in the propeller-motor group of the intruder UAV, and its flight ends. In another case, the critical elements of the aerial target are hit by the cloud of pellets, causing it to fall. In case of unsuccessful attempts to intercept the UAV-intruder with means of destruction or in case of work with several UAV-intruders, the UAV-interceptor carries out ramming using a device for throwing means of destruction (throwing tubes) capable of damaging the propellers of the air target. The placement of the propeller-motor group in the aft part of the UAV-interceptor, made in the form of a multicopter, minimizes its damage in a collision.

If the UAV interceptor does not have a module for automatic target guidance and holding, the operator manually controls the flight of the interceptor, holding the aerial target in the center of the video camera. When approaching the working distance, the weapon is automatically launched.

Thus, the declared solution is reliable in use and has advanced functionality for protecting airspace from intruder UAVs.

Claims (8)

1. An unmanned aerial vehicle-interceptor, including a body with control, navigation and power supply systems, a device for throwing a means of destruction and a propeller-motor group, characterized in that it contains a device for throwing a means of destruction, made in the form of at least three throwing tubes placed on the body, connected to a cavity containing a compensation chamber with a concave surface, located opposite the entrance connecting the cavity with a source of excess pressure. 2. An unmanned aerial vehicle-interceptor according to paragraph 1, characterized in that it contains a throwing net as a means of destruction. 3. An unmanned aerial vehicle-interceptor according to paragraph 1, characterized in that it contains pellets as a means of destruction. 4. An unmanned aerial vehicle-interceptor according to paragraph 1, characterized in that it contains a propeller-motor group operating in the “pusher propeller” mode. 5. An unmanned aerial vehicle-interceptor according to paragraph 1, characterized in that it contains electronic boards placed on a plane perpendicular to the throwing axis by means of shock-absorbing struts. 6. An unmanned aerial vehicle-interceptor according to paragraph 1, characterized in that it contains a control system with electronic boards covered with a compound. 7. An unmanned aerial vehicle-interceptor according to paragraph 1, characterized in that it is made in the form of a multicopter. 8. An unmanned aerial vehicle-interceptor according to paragraph 1, characterized in that it is made on an aircraft chassis.