Another Look at 1930's Cyclogyro Plane Design

trogador writes to mention that a group of researchers is taking another swing at the idea of a cyclogyro design for a UAV. Even though the cyclogyro design was invented in the 1930's there are no records of a successful flight. "Cyclogyros have the potential to be highly maneuverable flying robots due to their method of operation, making them potentially more suitable for complex tasks than helicopters and other micro air vehicles (MAVs) with less maneuverability. The biggest challenge in designing the cyclogyros is varying the angle of attack of the rotating wings. This ability would enable the plan to change altitude, hover, and fly in reverse. To achieve this quick angle variation, the researchers introduced an eccentric (rotational) point in addition to a rotational point connected to a motor."

This is all very nice

[Mr.Fork]

But will it cut my lawn? Without supervision? Can I set it to keep the neighbours dog out? Lasers? Can it have lasers? Lasers would be nice.

Re:This is all very nice

[JK_the_Slacker]

Lasers? Can it have lasers? Lasers would be nice.

You must be new here. Lasers go on SHARKS. Robots with lasers are SO 1980s.

Oh, come now!

[Anonymous Coward]

Tell us what you *really* think about the V-22 Osprey...

Re:Same fuel consumption as helicopters

[pittance]

Commercial jets are at lift/drag of around 18-20 now
As an engineer working with fixed wings it is my firm belief that helicopters fly because they are so ugly that the ground repels them - on that basis this thing is getting to the moon.

Re:This is all very nice

[gurps_npc]

My nephew has this really cool toy, kind of like legos, only with more definition (i.e., less block/toy like, more realisitic). Also, t attachable things com in parts, similar to how you install them. So you get the bottom of a boat, the top of a boat, a cabin, a back deck, a gun, a mast, etc.

One of the pieces it comes with is a shark, and it has a 'connector' hole in the shark's head. It is designed to fit a 'harpoon' type attachment, so you can 'capture' him.

But the connector is the same standard hole type.

When I was done with it, he quite literally has a shark with a freakin laser on top of his head.

The 4:30 Autogyro

[slagheap]

Burns: Yes, I'd like to send this letter to the Prussian consulate in Siam by aeromail. Am I too late for the 4:30 autogyro?
Squeaky Voiced Teen: Uh, I better look in the manual.
Burns: Ignorance!

... later ...

Squeaky Voiced Teen: This book must be out of date: I don't see "Prussia", "Siam", or "autogyro".
Burns: Well, keep looking!

Let's See Here...

[Nom du Keyboard]

Let's see here:

The design is seventy years old.
It has never successfully flown during all that time.
LET'S SPEND MONEY ON IT NOW!