Sierra Nevada Company, LLC

Sierra Nevada Corporation

Curtis Leo

Stephen Morris

Emily Agostino

Mikhail Blinkov

Sean Foxen

A modular VTOL drone aircraft can include a primary processor, a plurality of propellers, one or more line replacement modules ('LRMs') and one or more line replacement units (“LRUs”). LRMs can include a fuselage, a center wing, two booms, two outer wings, two vertical tails, a horizontal tail, and/or an engine. LRUs can include an avionics module, a radio communications assembly, a sensor package assembly, an ISR assembly, and/or a deployable payload assembly. Each LRM and LRU can be self-contained and removably attached to the remainder of the VTOL drone. Each LRM can be readily interchanged with another similar LRM, which can be of a different size. LRM interfaces can include a blind mate electric connector and/or a floating connector.

Modular fixed VTOL with line replaceable units

A dual use UAV or 'drone' can include a battery and primary processor located at a fuselage, as well as two separate modular units removably coupled to the fuselage and in communication with the primary processor. The two separate modular units can interact with each other to provide an enhanced operation while the drone is in flight. One modular unit can be an ISR unit having a video camera, and the other modular unit can be a cargo unit. The enhanced operation can involve the ISR unit using its video camera to identify a delivery location for a cargo pod of the cargo unit. Alternative modular units can include a secondary ISR unit, a cargo fuel pod unit, or a robotic arm assembly. Standardized interfaces coupled to the fuselage can enable the ready removal of one modular unit and installation of another one.

Dual ISR-payload capable UAV

A VTOL drone aircraft can include a rechargeable battery, a primary processor, lift propellers, an internal combustion engine with a thrust propeller, a generator, and a power regulation controller. The generator can receive power from the internal combustion engine and deliver electrical power to the rechargeable battery, the lift propellers, or both. The power regulation controller can regulate dynamically power delivery from the internal combustion engine to the thrust propeller and the generator, and from the generator to the rechargeable battery based upon changing conditions during flight. The power regulation controller can prevent operation of the generator when peak power is needed from the internal combustion engine for the thrust propeller. The power regulation controller can also control a clutch coupled to the thrust propeller to regulate the delivery of power to the thrust propeller when the internal combustion engine is active.

Growing community of inventors

Los Gatos, CA, United States of America

Curtis Leo