Inventors:
Peter Ifju - Newberry FL, US
Kyu-Ho Lee - Gainesville FL, US
Roberto Albertani - Gainesville FL, US
Shawn Mitryk - Gainesville FL, US
Frank Boria - Alachua FL, US
Mujahid Abdulrahim - Gainesville FL, US
Assignee:
University of Florida - Gainesville FL
International Classification:
B64C001/00
Abstract:
A micro air vehicle having a bendable wing enabling the micro air vehicle to fly. The bendable wing may be bent downwards so that the wingspan may be reduced for storing the micro air vehicle. The bendable wing may be formed from one or more layers of material, and the wing may have a camber such that a concave surface of the wing faces downward. The wing may substantially resist flexing upwards and may transfer uplift forces to a central body of the micro air vehicle. In addition, the wing may be bent severely downwards by applying a force to tips of the wing. The micro air vehicle is capable of being stored in a small cylindrical tube and may be deployed from the tube by simply releasing the micro air vehicle from the tube.