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:
Described herein is a multi-rotor aircraft (10; 200) including: - a load-bearing structure (10A; 200A); and - a plurality of propulsion assemblies (M1, M2, M3, M4, M5, M6; M1', M2', M3', M4') each including a rotor (R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6; R1', R2', R3', R4'), which can be driven in rotation about a respective axis of rotation (X1, X2, X3, X4, X5, X6; X1', X2', X3', X4'), these propulsion assemblies being coupled to and supported by the load-bearing structure (10A; 200A), wherein the load-bearing structure (10A; 200A) is inflatable (C11, C12, C13, C14, C15, C16; C200).
Abstract:
Disclosed is apparatus (10, 10') for launching an unmanned aerial vehicle (20), for example from a vehicle (250) submerged beneath the surface (260) of a body of water (270). The apparatus (10, 10') comprises: an envelope (30) configured to receive and, at least to some extent, retain therewithin a lighter than air, gaseous substance; and coupling means operable to switch between a first state in which the coupling means couples the envelope (30) to the unmanned aerial vehicle (20) and a second state in which the unmanned aerial vehicle (20) is free to move away from the envelope (30). The apparatus (10, 10') is an unmanned apparatus.
Abstract:
An airship (20) has a generally spherical shape and has an internal envelope (24) for containing a lifting gas such as Helium or Hydrogen. The airship has a propulsion and control system (36, 38) that permits it to be flown to a desired loitering location, and to be maintained in that location for a period of time. In one embodiment the airship may achieve neutral buoyancy when the internal envelope is as little as 7 % full of lifting gas, and may have a service ceiling of about 60,000 ft. The airship has an equipment module (180) that can include either communications equipment, or monitoring equipment, or both. The airship can be remotely controlled from a ground station. The airship has a solar cell array and electric motors (44, 46) of the propulsion and control system are driven by power obtained from the array. The airship also has an auxiliary power unit (52) that can be used to drive the electric motors. The airship can have a pusher propeller that assists in driving the airship and also moves the point of flow separation of the spherical airship further aft. In one embodiment the airship can be refuelled at altitude to permit extended loitering.
Abstract:
An aviation system is disclosed that has the capabilities to position a high-altitude aviation vehicle within a designated geographic region for extended periods of time or maneuver the high-altitude aviation vehicle along predetermined designated paths.
Abstract:
A service providing system includes a request receiving robot and a service providing robot. The request receiving robot includes a floating unit configured to float in air, a recognition unit configured to recognize a service providing request by a user, and a transmitter configured to transmit the recognized service providing request. The service providing robot includes a receiver configured to receive the service providing request transmitted by the request receiving robot, a moving unit configured to move the service providing robot to the user who makes the service providing request as a destination according to the received service providing request, and a service providing unit configured to provide a service to the user.
Abstract:
A buoyant aerial vehicle includes a buoyant vehicle body in which gas having a specific gravity smaller than air is hermetically filled, a vertical propulsion propeller which provides vertical propulsive force, and a horizontal propulsion propeller which provides horizontal propulsive force The buoyant vehicle body is configured with flotation chambers and connecting portions. The flotation chambers are arranged at positions point-symmetric with respect to a center of the buoyant vehicle body. Central portions of the flotation chambers are bulged in a side view and the connecting portions connect the flotation chambers. The connecting portions are formed in a flat shape thinner than the central portions of the flotation chambers such that wind passages along which the air flows are formed on the connecting portions, and the wind passages are oriented in at least two directions in the plan view.
Abstract:
Innovative new systems and method of operating the systems, wherein the system comprises an airborne platform comprising an unmanned balloon; a payload that is separate from the unmanned balloon; a transceiver; first and second flight termination devices; at least two separate power sources for the first and second flight termination devices; a sensor; a processor; a pump; a valve; and a tether that when broken separates the unmanned balloon and the payload, are disclosed herein.
Abstract:
The purpose of this invention, which is referred to as a vacuustat, is to generate buoyancy in the atmosphere by means of an evacuated or partially evacuated container, rather than by using a lighter-than-air lifting gas such as hydrogen or helium. This particular vacuustat design comprises a flexible airtight membrane supported by a fractal tensegrity internal structure consisting of a relatively small mass of compressive members forced into higher-order buckling modes through use of tension members. The advantages of such a design over conventional aerostats include superior buoyancy control for ascent and descent, greatly increased flight endurance, and cost-effectiveness in operation. This particular vacuustat design has a much greater lifting efficiency than previous designs, and should also be easier and more cost-effective to manufacture.