IP Library Granted Patent US 11,623,746
Granted Patent B2
US 11,623,746 · App. 17/751,706 · Granted Apr 11, 2023

Method of navigating an amphibious aerial vehicle on water

Inventor: Yu Tian (Hong Kong, CN)
Assignee: SHANGHAI AUTOFLIGHT CO., LTD.
B64C37/02B64C39/024B64D27/24B63B7/08B64C2201/021B64C2201/027B64C2201/042B64C2201/104B64C2201/108B64C2211/00
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,623,746
App. No.
17/751,706
Granted
Apr 11, 2023
Kind
B2
Abstract

A method of navigating an UAV over water with vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) function. The UAV having a plurality of lift propellers; a cabin engaged with a plurality of lift propellers; a water propulsion system engaged with the cabin to push the cabin in a forward direction when the cabin is at least partially immersed in water; at least one water inlet engaged with the water propulsion system; the cabin is a cargo hold or a passenger cabin. The UAV provided by the disclosure can realize vertical takeoff and landing in the water area, and fly, drive and navigate freely in the whole area.

Claims (17)

1. A method of navigating a UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle) on water, which is characterized by comprising:

providing a UVA having

a) a plurality of lift propellers;

b) a cabin engaged with said plurality of lift propellers;

c) a water propulsion system engaged with the cabin to push the cabin in a forward direction when the cabin is at least partially immersed in water;

d) at least one water inlet engaged with the water propulsion system;

wherein the water propulsion system includes a motor, a water propeller and a cylinder;

wherein the cylinder is fixedly connected to the cabin; the cylinder is provided with an open end and a blocking end; the cylinder has an axis and said axis is parallel to a longitudinal axis of the cabin; and the open end of the cylinder faces a rear end of the UAV; the water inlet is positioned on a side wall of the cylinder;

wherein the motor is positioned inside the cylinder, and a body of the motor is fixedly connected with an inner wall of the cylinder;

wherein the water propeller is positioned inside the cylinder and close to the open end of the cylinder, and the water propeller is connected with an output shaft of the motor; and

turning the water propeller while the UAV is floating on water to move the UAV in a forward direction.

2. The method according to claim 1 , wherein said plurality of lift propellers are arranged on a pair of linear supports.

3. The UAV according to claim 2 further providing a pair of main wings coupled to the pair of linear supports.

4. The UAV according to claim 2 further providing a floatation device coupled to the cabin.

5. The UAV according to claim 4 further providing a first energy storage unit arranged in the cabin, and is configured to supply energy to the water propulsion system.

6. The UAV according to claim 5 further providing at least one electrically-driven wheel coupled to the cabin.

7. The UAV according to claim 5 further providing at least one electrically-driven wheel coupled to the flight platform.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Aug 26, 2022
From: TIAN, YU
To: SHANGHAI AUTOFLIGHT CO., LTD.
Reel/Frame 060907/0643 →
Priority Claims (1)
CN 202021632737.2 · Aug 7, 2020 · national
Continuity (3)
Division 17396733 · Aug 8, 2021
Continuation In Part 16281020 · Feb 20, 2019
Related Publication 20220281596A1 · Sep 8, 2022