Invention Grant
- Patent Title: Supplementing energy storage of an in-flight solar-powered UAV by casting light from a secondary in-flight UAV
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Application No.: US15637214Application Date: 2017-06-29
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Publication No.: US10476296B1Publication Date: 2019-11-12
- Inventor: Walter F. Rausch , Guenther Ottendorfer
- Applicant: Sprint Spectrum L.P.
- Applicant Address: US KS Overland Park
- Assignee: Sprint Spectrum L.P.
- Current Assignee: Sprint Spectrum L.P.
- Current Assignee Address: US KS Overland Park
- Main IPC: H02J7/00
- IPC: H02J7/00 ; H02J7/35 ; B64C39/02 ; H02S40/38 ; H02S20/30 ; H02S40/22
Abstract:
A secondary UAV flies over the solar-powered UAV at night and illuminates the solar-powered UAV's solar panels to help supplement the solar-powered UAV's battery charge mid-flight. The secondary UAV could be equipped with a directional light source for providing light of a color and intensity selected for optimal absorption by the solar cells of the solar-powered UAV. As the secondary UAV flies over the solar-powered UAV, the secondary UAV could thus direct its light source at the solar-powered UAV for absorption by the solar cells, to help supplement the solar-powered UAV's battery charge. Further, the secondary UAV could potentially recharge multiple solar-powered UAVs during a single nighttime mission.
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