US 11,891,164 B1
UAV with distributed propulsion for short takeoffs and landings
Adam Woodworth, San Jose, CA (US); Giulia Pantalone, Redwood City, CA (US); Michelle Suen, Sunnyvale, CA (US); and Luis Prado, Mountain View, CA (US)
Assigned to WING Aviation LLC, Mountain View, CA (US)
Filed by WING Aviation LLC, Mountain View, CA (US)
Filed on Sep. 30, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/957,750.
Int. Cl. B64C 19/02 (2006.01); B64C 39/02 (2023.01); B64C 5/08 (2006.01); B64C 9/18 (2006.01); B64C 3/32 (2006.01); B64U 10/25 (2023.01); B64U 101/60 (2023.01)
CPC B64C 19/02 (2013.01) [B64C 3/32 (2013.01); B64C 5/08 (2013.01); B64C 9/18 (2013.01); B64C 39/024 (2013.01); B64U 10/25 (2023.01); B64U 2101/60 (2023.01); B64U 2201/10 (2023.01)] 22 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) adapted for a package delivery mission, the UAV comprising:
a fuselage;
a pair of fixed wings attached to the fuselage;
a plurality of distributed propulsion units mounted below the fixed wings and having first propellers mounted fore of the fixed wings, and wherein three or more of the distributed propulsion units are mounted to each of the fixed wings, wherein the distributed propulsion units are oriented for forward propulsion of the UAV;
a pair of outboard propulsion units each mounted to a corresponding one of the fixed wings outboard of the distributed propulsion units, wherein the outboard propulsion units include outboard propellers having a larger diameter than the first propellers; and
a controller coupled to the distributed propulsion units and the outboard propulsion units, the controller including logic that when executed causes the UAV to perform operations comprising:
powering the distributed propulsion units during takeoff and landing segments of the package delivery mission; and
idling at least a portion of the distributed propulsion units while powering the outboard propulsion units during a cruise segment of the package delivery mission.