Drone systems and methods
An aircraft includes a body defining an interior compartment configured to hold at least one of a passenger and a payload, a battery system, a plurality of arms coupled to and extending from the body, and a plurality of propulsion devices configured to provide thrust to fly the aircraft. Each of the plurality of propulsion devices is coupled to a respective one of the plurality of arms. The plurality of propulsion devices are powered by the battery system. Each of the plurality of propulsion devices is selectively pivotable about at least one axis. The plurality of propulsion devices include at least one of (i) counter rotating ducted fans and (ii) ionizing electrode engines.
1 . An aircraft comprising:
a frame;
a plurality of propulsion devices coupled to the frame, the plurality of propulsion devices configured to provide thrust to fly the aircraft;
a battery mat coupled to an extending along the frame, the battery mat including a plurality of cells configured to power the plurality of propulsion devices, wherein the battery mat spans an area of at least one square foot; and
a plurality of support arms extending from the frame and configured to support a payload positioned beneath the frame and the battery mat, wherein each of the plurality of support arms comprise an attachment mechanism at a respective distal end, the attachment mechanism configured to join another attachment mechanism of another support arm disposed at an opposing side of the aircraft.
2 . The aircraft of claim 1 , further comprising a charging receiver configured to charge each of the plurality of cells based on a signal received from a remote, wireless beaming system.
3 . The aircraft of claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of propulsion devices comprise two counter rotating propellers.
4 . The aircraft of claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of propulsion devices is permanently coupled to the frame.
5 . The aircraft of claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of propulsion devices is detachably coupled to the frame.
6 . The aircraft of claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of propulsion devices comprise a housing and one or more motors.
7 . The aircraft of claim 6 , wherein each of the one or more motors are powered by the plurality of cells of the battery mat.
8 . The aircraft of claim 1 , wherein each attachment mechanism is configured to couple to the payload.
9 . The aircraft of claim 1 , wherein each attachment mechanism is configured to release in response to the aircraft arriving at a drop zone.
10 . The aircraft of claim 1 , further comprising a passenger capsule detachably coupled to the frame.
11 . The aircraft of claim 1 , further comprising one or more solar panels electrically coupled to the battery mat.
12 . The aircraft of claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of cells are rechargeable.
13 . An aircraft comprising:
a frame;
a plurality of propulsion devices coupled to the frame, the plurality of propulsion devices configured to provide thrust to fly the aircraft;
a battery mat coupled to and extending along the frame, the battery mat including a plurality of cells configured to power the plurality of propulsion devices, wherein the battery mat spans an area of at least one square foot, wherein the battery mat is covered by a protective weathering layer; and
a plurality of support arms extending from the frame and configured to support a payload positioned beneath the frame and the battery mat.
14 . An aircraft comprising:
a frame comprising one or more hinges at a spacing along the frame, the spacing based on a size of each of the plurality of cells of the battery mat;
a plurality of propulsion devices coupled to the frame, the plurality of propulsion devices configured to provide thrust to fly the aircraft;
a battery mat coupled to and extending along the frame, the battery mat including a plurality of cells configured to power the plurality of propulsion devices, wherein the battery mat spans an area of at least one square foot; and
a plurality of support arms extending from the frame and configured to support a payload positioned beneath the frame and the battery mat.