Unmanned glider system for payload dispersion

Abstract

A disposable unmanned aerial glider (UAG) with pre-determined UAG flight capabilities. The UAG comprises a flight module comprising at least one aerodynamic arrangement; and a fuselage module comprising a container configured for storing therein a payload and having structural integrity. The container is pressurized so as to maintain structural integrity thereof at least during flight, so that the UAG flight capabilities are provided only when the container is pressurized.

67 . A disposable unmanned aerial glider (UAG) with pre-determined UAG flight capabilities, the UAG comprising:
 a flight module including at least one aerodynamic arrangement; and   a fuselage module including a container configured for storing therein a payload and having structural integrity, the container being pressurized so as to maintain structural integrity thereof at least during flight, so that the UAG flight capabilities are provided only when the container is pressurized.   
     
     
         68 . The UAG according to  claim 67 , wherein the flight module is configured for being attached to any one of a variety of fuselage modules, designed for different applications of the UAG. 
     
     
         69 . The UAG according to  claim 68 , wherein each of the variety of fuselage modules defines a specific UAG flight capability thereof and also defines a flight mode including specific conditions of dispersion and impact. 
     
     
         70 . The UAG according to  claim 67 , wherein the payload contributes to maintaining the at least one aerodynamic arrangement of the fuselage module, thereby providing the UAG with at least some of the required flight capabilities. 
     
     
         71 . The UAG according to  claim 67 , wherein the fuselage module includes an avionic cell having a hollow configured for accommodating therein equipment required at least for controlling the flight of the UAG and for the dispersion of payload. 
     
     
         72 . The UAG according to  claim 67 , wherein the fuselage module includes at least one of a front payload chamber and a rear payload chamber, and wherein the fuselage module includes a filling valve configured for introducing payload into the chamber. 
     
     
         73 . The UAG according to  claim 72 , wherein the avionic cell accommodates at least an accumulator including an inflator cell containing therein a pressurized gas, and is associated with a dispersion control unit and with a front inflation port and a rear inflation port. 
     
     
         74 . The UAG according to  claim 73 , wherein the inflator cell is configured to release the pressurized gas into the inflation ports allowing the pressurized gas to expand within
 the payload chambers, under any one of the following parameters:   the payload is dispersed at a rate of approx. 300 liters within 300-500 milliseconds;   the pressurized gas in the accumulator is pressurized to between 50-250 atm; or the payload is discharged to a distance of between 10-50 m.   
     
     
         75 . The UAG according to  claim 67 , wherein the flight module includes a wing foldable with respect to the fuselage module when attached thereto in order to have a first, folded state for storing of the UAG when not in operation, and a second, deployed state for operation of the UAG. 
     
     
         76 . The UAG according to  claim 75 , wherein the fuselage module has a longitudinal axis, and in the first, folded state, the wing extends along the axis while in the second, deployed state, the wing extends generally transverse to the longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         77 . The UAG according to  claim 67 , wherein at least a part of the UAG or the entire UAG is configured for being disposable. 
     
     
         78 . The UAG according to  claim 67 , configured for being stacked with a plurality of the UAGs one on top of the other so that one wing of one of the UAGs serves as a resting surface for a fuselage of a top neighboring one of the UAGs. 
     
     
         79 . A storage device configured for accommodating therein a plurality of the UAGs according to  claim 67 , the storage device being configured for controllable release of UAGs therefrom. 
     
     
         80 . The storage device according to  claim 79 , wherein the storage device is configured for mounting onto a carrier from which the UAG's are to be discharged. 
     
     
         81 . The storage device according to  claim 79 , wherein the storage device includes a control arrangement effective for performing at least the following:
 receiving data regarding release of the UAGs therefrom;   controlling the regulating arrangement in order to release the UAGs therefrom in a predetermined sequence/order; or   monitoring the release of the UAGs in order to keep track of which UAGs have been released and which are still received within the storage device.   
     
     
         82 . The storage device according to  claim 79 , wherein the storage device includes a flexible structure configured for assuming a first, unfolded state in which the UAGs can be mounted to or released from the storage device and a second, folded state, in which the storage device is configured for compact storage, while holding therein the UAGs. 
     
     
         83 . The storage device according to  claim 82 , wherein release of the UAGs from the storage device takes place by gradual shifting of the storage device from the folded state to the unfolded state. 
     
     
         84 . A disposable UAV, comprising:
 a fuselage module including a container configured for storing therein a payload at a predetermined positive pressure contributing, on the one hand, to the structural integrity of the fuselage module, at least during flight, and on the other hand to the capability of dispersing the payload from the container.   
     
     
         85 . The UAG according to  claim 84 , wherein the container includes a thin-walled structure that, without the presence of pressurized payload therein, is of lower structural integrity incapable of maintaining the same structural integrity as the filled fuselage, at least during flight. 
     
     
         86 . The UAG according to  claim 84 , wherein at least a part of the UAG or the entire UAG is configured for being disposable.