Abstract:
A method of docking and recharging using a base station and a station-mating frame on the multicopter. The base station includes an upward-facing camera that is used by a docking controller to detect the presence, position, and orientation of a frame, with infrared light-emitting diodes arranged in a predefined pattern. The controller of the base station acts to emit wireless signals to the multicopter to guide the multicopter with its station-mating frame to a predefined position above the base station. The controller transmits a wireless signal to the multicopter to reduce thrust, and the multicopter lowers itself onto a sloped receiving surface that may be arranged in a crown pattern to provide passive gravity-driven centering, which causes the station-mating frame to slide to a lowest vertical point of the receiving assembly. A locking mechanism engages to lock the frame in place and provide electrical contact for recharging.
Abstract:
L'invention consiste en un système permettant le transfert à distance et sans fil d'énergie depuis une station de base (11) vers un objet mobile (12), de type drone notamment, évoluant dans une zone de l'espace donnée autour de ladite station de base. Le système comporte des moyens (16) pour réaliser le pistage (13) de l'objet mobile (12) de façon à déterminer à tout instant la position de l'objet mobile (12) par rapport à la station de base (11), des moyens (13) pour émettre une onde acoustique synthétique (14) focalisée dans la direction de l'objet mobile (12), ces deux moyens étant localisés au niveau de la station de base (11) et alimentés par cette dernière et des moyens de réception acoustique (15), localisés au niveau de l'objet mobile (12), pour recevoir l'onde acoustique (14) émise par la station de base (11) et pour convertir l'onde acoustique reçue en signal électrique puis en tension d'alimentation d'une batterie.
Abstract:
Methods and apparatus to harvest renewable energy are provided herein. In some embodiments, a method to harvest renewable energy includes providing an aircraft suitable for untethered flight in an open airspace and an airborne kinetic energy conversion system attached to the airframe, the airborne kinetic energy conversion system comprising a turbine, a generator connected to the turbine, and electrical storage means connected to the generator; flying the aircraft; gaining excess kinetic energy; and converting excess kinetic energy into electricity using the kinetic energy conversion system.
Abstract:
In specific embodiments, a vehicle propellable through fluids comprises a main work section and a plurality of propulsion units. The main work section includes a payload support hub, a payload support structure rotatable in 360 about the payload support hub in at least one axis, and a core including at least one microprocessor, the core at least partially nested within the payload support hub. The at least one microprocessor is adapted to substantially maintain an orientation of the payload support structure relative to a horizon line as the vehicle is propelled. One or more payloads are mountable on the rotatable payload support structure.
Abstract:
Various embodiments include methods for operating a photovoltaic-powered drone (101) having a photovoltaic surface (110) on one side of at least one of wing or fuselage body of the drone (101). The method may include determining a flight attitude for the drone based on a first drone attitude for optimizing light energy harvesting by the photovoltaic surface (110) and a second drone attitude for minimizing power expenditure by an onboard propulsion system of the drone (101) to reach a designated destination. The method may include flying the drone in the determined flight attitude while converting light into electricity en route to the designated destination.
Abstract:
An in-flight charging system includes a first electric air vehicle, a second electric air vehicle, an elevated power supply system (EPSS) and a flexible tension member coupled to the first electric air vehicle and coupled to the second electric air vehicle. The flexible tension member provides power from the second electric vehicle to the first electric vehicle. The EPSS further includes one or more current carrying conductors, wherein the second electric air vehicle travels along the one or more current carrying conductors and receives power transferred from the one or more current carrying conductors.
Abstract:
An unmanned aerial vehicle system includes a ground station including a case, a power supply housed in the case, and a tether having a first end and a second end opposite to the first end. The first end of the tether is coupled to the case. The unmanned aerial vehicle system also includes a module including smart battery authentication circuitry configured to be coupled to the second end of the tether. The module is configured to be connected to an unmanned aerial vehicle. The smart battery authentication circuitry enables the unmanned aerial vehicle to receive power from the power supply housed in the case when the module is connected to the unmanned aerial vehicle.
Abstract:
A landing platform for a hovering vehicle comprises an erectable and retractable boundary element which, when in erected position, defines a substantially closed volume.