Abstract:
The aerial robotic lifting and observational platform (1) includes a body (25), which comprises a circumferential or cylindrical shroud and defines an internal air passageway or duct (27). The body (25) further includes an outside surface (29), an inside surface (31), an hollow annulus (33) between the outside surface (29) and the inside surface (31). The body (25) comprises metal or other structural material, and has orthogonal dimensions that do not exceed approcimately six inches by six inches by eight inches. The platform (1) further includes a central structural hub (6) with one or more webbings or vanes (7) connected to the body (25).
Abstract:
The aerial robot provided includes a pair of counter-rotating blades or propellers, possibly contained within a circumferential shroud or a duct. The aerial robot may have the ability to hover and move. Electric power to the robot may be provided by a tether or an on-board power supply. In tethered embodiments, an electronic voltage transformer can change a higher voltage, lower current source to lower voltage, higher current source. A secure data communication between a ground unit and the aerial robot is facilitated by impressing high bandwidth serial data onto the high voltage tether wires or a thin optical fiber which is co-aligned with the tether wires. Precise navigational and position controls, even under extreme wind loads, are facilitated by an on-board GPS unit and optical digital signal processors. If the tether detaches, precision free-flight is possible with on-board batteries.
Abstract:
A neutrally buoyant airship, such as a blimp, contains a lifting body which allows the airship to remain neutrally buoyant in air and a fuel cell located in the airship. A method of generating power in the neutrally buoyant airship, comprising providing a fuel and a oxidizer to a solid oxide fuel cell to generate power, and providing heat from the fuel cell to a remotely located lifting body, wherein the lifting body allows the airship to remain neutrally buoyant in air.
Abstract:
A neutral buoyant airship, such as a blimp, contains a lifting body which allows the airship to remain neutrally buoyant in air and fuel cell located in the airship. A method of generating power in the neutrally buoyant airship, comprising providing a fuel and a oxidizer to a solid oxide fuel cell to generate power, and providing heat from the fuel cell to a remotely located lifting body, wherein the lifting body allows the airship to remain neutrally buoyant in air.
Abstract:
A robotic or remotely controlled flying platform (10) with reduced drag stabilizing control apparatus constructed having an air duct (12) with an air intake (14) on the top and an exhaust (16) at the bottom, containing supported therein a clockwise rotating fan (22) and a counter-clockwise rotating fan (24). Directly below the perimeter of the air duct exhaust are mounted a plurality of trough shaped air deflection assemblies (32) each including a rotatably adjustable half trough (44) for selectively scooping a portion of the drive air, and a stationary adjacent half trough (36) for receiving the scooped drive air and redirecting it outward and upward from the air duct. A centrally positioned plate (112) has a plurality of rods (106), each pivotably connected between the plate (74) and a corresponding lever associated with each of the adjustable half troughs (44) so as to couple the adjustable half trough (44) in or out of the drive air steam according to the position of the plate (74), thereby providing control over the pitch and roll of the flying platform. The plate is driven by first and second motors responding to input control signals. The control signals also direct the yaw of the flying platform by selectively providing independent speed control to each of the clockwise and counter clockwise fan motors resulting in duct rotation in a clockwise or counter clockwise direction accordingly.
Abstract:
L'invention concerne un système d'alimentation électrique d'un appareil téléopéré captif (10), comportant une source d'alimentation électrique (21) configurée pour fournir une énergie électrique, et un câble électrique (20) connecté électriquement à ladite source d'alimentation électrique et configuré pour acheminer ladite énergie électrique jusqu'au dit appareil téléopéré captif pour alimenter au moins une machine électrique tournante et/ou des éléments systémiques embarqués dans ledit appareil téléopéré captif; caractérisé en ce que ladite source d'alimentation électrique est configurée pour fournir une haute tension alternative triphasée, ledit câble électrique est configuré pour faire cheminer ladite haute tension alternative triphasée et ledit système comporte en outre un dispositif de gestion et de conversion d'énergie embarqué dans ledit appareil téléopéré captif et configuré pour redresser ladite haute tension alternative triphasée reçue en une haute tension continue et pour abaisser ladite haute tension continue en basse tension continue
Abstract:
In one aspect, an example system includes: (i) a base including a bottom surface and a first coupling-point; (ii) a vertically-oriented elongate structure comprising a lower end, an upper end, and an inner channel, wherein the inner channel comprises an upper access-point disposed proximate the upper end, wherein the base is coupled to the elongate structure proximate the lower end; (iii) a deployable cushioning-device coupled to the elongate structure; and (iv) a tether comprising a first portion, a second portion, a third portion, and a fourth portion, wherein the first portion is coupled to the first coupling-point, the second portion is coupled to a second coupling-point of the UAV, the third portion extends through the inner channel, the fourth portion extends from the upper access-point to the second coupling-point, and the fourth portion has a length that is less than a distance between the upper access-point and the bottom surface.
Abstract:
An airborne drone training track includes both a ground track and a ceiling track. The ceiling track can be disposed above and be at least essentially aligned with the ground track. Airborne drone attachment tethers movably attach an airborne drone to each of these tracks. A lower airborne drone attachment tether movably attaches to the ground track and to a bottom portion of the airborne drone. A plurality of upper airborne drone attachment tethers movably attach to the ceiling track and to upper portions of the airborne drone. By one approach there is only one lower airborne drone attachment tether and four upper airborne drone attachment tethers.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to a tethered aircraft (3) used for used for power generation in a ground based generator (1) without electrical transmission between ground and aircraft. The aircraft is typically used in vertical take-off and landing mode.
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.