US 11,814,165 B2
Systems and methods for aerodynamic deployment of wing structures
Christopher Noskowicz, San Clemente, CA (US)
Assigned to SWIFT ENGINEERING, INC., San Clemente, CA (US)
Filed by SWIFT ENGINEERING, INC., San Clemente, CA (US)
Filed on Dec. 3, 2020, as Appl. No. 17/111,259.
Application 17/111,259 is a division of application No. 16/128,432, filed on Sep. 11, 2018, abandoned.
Prior Publication US 2021/0253219 A1, Aug. 19, 2021
Int. Cl. B64C 3/56 (2006.01); B64C 9/00 (2006.01); B64U 20/50 (2023.01); B64C 39/02 (2023.01); B64U 80/70 (2023.01); B64U 70/50 (2023.01); B64U 10/25 (2023.01); B64U 70/00 (2023.01)
CPC B64C 3/56 (2013.01) [B64C 9/00 (2013.01); B64C 39/024 (2013.01); B64C 2009/005 (2013.01); B64U 10/25 (2023.01); B64U 20/50 (2023.01); B64U 70/00 (2023.01); B64U 70/50 (2023.01); B64U 80/70 (2023.01)] 10 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method of deploying an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), the method comprising:
launching a UAV, wherein the UAV comprises a body carrying two wing assemblies, wherein each wing assembly comprises an inboard portion connected to the body and an outboard portion that is rotatable relative to the inboard portion, wherein the outboard portion includes a deflectable aerodynamic control surface;
rotating the inboard portions relative to the body from a first configuration in which the inboard portions at least partially overlap the body, to a second configuration different from the first configuration; and
for each wing assembly, rotating the outboard portion relative to the inboard portion from a first orientation in which the outboard portion is folded toward the inboard portion, to a second orientation in which the outboard portion extends from the inboard portion to form a lifting surface configured to provide aerodynamic lift for the UAV;
wherein:
for each wing assembly, rotating the outboard portion relative to the inboard portion comprises deflecting the aerodynamic control surface toward the inboard portion to cause an aerodynamic force that rotates the outboard portion.