Abstract:
Methods of manufacturing and operating a solar powered aircraft having segmented wings that can be reconfigured during flight to optimize collection of solar energy are described. The aircraft have rigid construction that is resistant to inclement weather and is configured to rely on free flight control at high altitude and under conventional conditions, thereby providing flight duration in excess of 2 months. The aircraft is particularly suitable for use as part of a telecommunications network.
Abstract:
Multi-rotor aerial vehicle 1, 1', 1'', 1'''comprising, at least a first, second and third rotor 10, 20, 30 with fixed pitch, each rotatable by a dedicated first second and third hydraulic motor 11, 21, 31, a power unit 2, at least a first, second and third hydraulic pump 12, 22, 32 dedicated to the respective first, second and third hydraulic motor 11, 21, 31, wherein each hydraulic pump 12, 22, 32 is arranged to provide pressurized fluid to each hydraulic motor 11, 21, 31 for powering the hydraulic motor 11, 21, 31 and thereby rotating the respective rotor 10, 20, 30, a control unit 6 for controlling the operation of the multi-rotor aerial vehicle 1, 1', 1'', 1''', wherein the control of the multi-rotor aerial vehicle 1, 1', 1'', 1'''is arranged to be performed by altering the flow of pressurized fluid distributed to each respective hydraulic motor 11, 21, 31, wherein the hydraulic pumps 12, 22, 32 are arranged on a single output shaft 3 of the power unit 2, such that all of said at least three hydraulic pumps 12, 22, 32 receive the same rotational input, wherein the flow of pressurized fluid provided to each hydraulic motor 11, 21, 31 is individually controllable by means of at least one control valve 13, 23, 33 configured to control the flow of pressurized fluid from each hydraulic pump 12, 22, 32 to its dedicated hydraulic motor 11, 21, 31.
Abstract:
The disclosed embodiments include a trailer for an autonomous vehicle controlled by a command and control interface. The trailer includes a trailer body configured to retain the autonomous vehicle in an undeployed configuration. The trailer also anchors the autonomous vehicle in a deployed configuration. A tether is provided having a first end coupled to the trailer body and a second end that is configured to couple to the autonomous vehicle. A winch is utilized to adjust a length of the tether to move the autonomous vehicle between the undeployed configuration and deployed configuration. Further, a communication system communicates with the command and control interface and the autonomous vehicle to control movement of the autonomous vehicle between the undeployed configuration and deployed configuration.
Abstract:
An aerial platform receives power in the form of light, for example laser light, transmitted via an optical fiber from a remote optical power source. The platform comprises a receiver which converts at least a portion of the light to a different form of power, for example electric power. The platform also comprises a propulsion element which consumes the different form of power to generate propulsive thrust. Supplying power to the aerial platform from a remote source enables the platform to remain aloft longer than a battery or fuel tank carried by the platform would allow. Transmitting the power in the form of light is preferable in many cases to transmitting electric power, because electrical conductors are generally heavier than optical fibers, and are hazardous in the presence of lightning or a high-voltage power line.
Abstract:
An unmanned vehicle is provided. The unmanned vehicle includes a navigation system configured to navigate the unmanned vehicle relative to a beam of energy emitted from a beam source, a power receiver configured to receive energy from the beam, and an energy storage system configured to store received energy for use in selectively powering the unmanned vehicle.
Abstract in simplified Chinese:本发明系关于一种多旋翼飞行器(1、1’、1”、1'''、1''''、1'''''、1''''''),其包括:至少一第一旋翼10、一第二旋翼20及一第三旋翼30,各旋翼可借由其专属之一第一液压马达11、一第二液压马达21及一第三液压马达31旋转;一电力单元2;至少一第一液压泵12、一第二液压泵22及一第三液压泵32,该等泵专属于各自第一液压马达11、第二液压马达21及第三液压马达31,其中各液压泵12、22、32经配置将加压流体提供至各液压马达11、21、31以为该等液压马达11、21、31供电且因此旋转各自旋翼10、20、30;一控制单元6,其用于控制多旋翼飞行器(1、1’、1”、1'''、1''''、1'''''、1'''''')之操作,其中多旋翼飞行器(1、1’、1”、1'''、1''''、1'''''、1'''''')之控制经配置以借由改变分配至各自液压马达11、21、31之加压流体之流动而运行,其中借由经组态以控制加压流体从各液压泵12、22、32至其专属液压马达11、21、31之流动之至少一控制阀13、23、33可单独控制提供至各液压马达11、21、31之加压流体之流动。