Abstract:
A system and method for an aerial surveillance system are disclosed. Briefly described, one embodiment comprises a lighter-than-air aerial platform, at least one image capture device carried by the lighter-than-air aerial platform and operable to sequentially capture a plurality of images, and at least one control surface physically coupled to the lighter-than-air aerial platform and operable to control direction of movement of the lighter-than-air aerial platform along a surveillance path in response to a guidance control signal determined in part upon the sequentially captured plurality of images.
Abstract:
An airship system according to the invention has an airship (110), a base station (120), and at least three measurement points. The airship (110) emits ultrasonic waves upon receiving an instruction from the base station (120). Measurement point units (S1-S3) receive the ultrasonic waves, and thereby measure distances from the airship (110) to the respective measurement points. An MPU that is incorporated in the base station (120) calculates a position of the airship (110). The base station (120) controls a route of the airship (110) based on the calculated position by sending a flight instruction to the airship (110). In this manner, an airship system can be provided that makes it unnecessary for an operator to pilot the airship and that can reduce the load weight and the power consumption of the airship.
Abstract:
A radio-controlled flying apparatus comprising an annular buoyant body and having an overall center of gravity below the center of buoyant force of the buoyant body. The annular buoyant body contains a gas of lighter weight than air. A main body is supported by the annular buoyant body by means of a dual-axis gimbal. The main body is provided with a pair of propellers which are rotatably supported by the main body and are driven by variable-speed motors into rotation in opposite directions. The main body is further provided with a rocking mechanism for causing said main body to rock about the dual-axis gimbal. An electric circuit resides in the main body for receiving a radio wave from an external transmitter to control the rocking mechanism and variable-speed motors. The electric components in the electric circuit are supplied their power from a battery carried on the main body.
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:
Aspects described herein relate to an apparatus, system, and method for the airborne launch of inflatable, lighter-than-air devices from aircraft. In some instances, a container comprising a drag parachute and a main parachute assembly may be deployed from an aircraft. Drag forces on the container may cause the drag parachute to be expelled from the container. Drag forces on the drag parachute may cause the main parachute assembly to be expelled from the container. The main parachute assembly may include a canopy with an opening and a release channel connecting the opening with the container. The container may further include a balloon inflation mechanism, which may be used to inflate one or more balloon envelopes. The one or more balloon envelopes, after being inflated, may be configured to be released from the container, traverse the release channel, and exit the main parachute assembly through the opening.
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:
The present invention provides an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) such as a rotorcraft and a method of improving the performance thereof. The UAV is equipped with an inflated bag to prevent or alleviate property damage and personal injury caused by a collision between the UAV and a foreign object (e.g. a human being and a pet). The inflated bag in the proximity of a propeller's tip can also disrupt the tip vortex of the propeller generated in UAV operation state. The invention exhibits numerous technical merits such as enhanced operational safety, UAV drag reduction, higher propulsive efficiency, and reduction of UAV vibration level, among others.
Abstract:
An aerial vehicle comprises an elongate envelope within which are at least one first compartment for holding a lighter than air gas and at least one second compartment for holding atmospheric air and said at least one second compartment having an inlet and an outlet and at least one pair of wings extending laterally from the envelope; said wings being planar units with a leading and trailing edge, the width of the wings from their leading edges to their trailing edges being substantially less than the length of the envelope with airfoil portions fitted between the leading and trailing edges of the wing: the top and bottom of the wings are mirror images of one another; in which forward motion of the vehicle is obtainable without trust through alternate diving and climbing motion.
Abstract:
Disclosed herein are example embodiments for unoccupied flying vehicle (UFV) location assurance. For certain example embodiments, at least one machine, such as a UFV, may: (i) obtain one or more satellite positioning system (SPS) coordinates corresponding to at least an apparent location of at least one UFV; or (ii) perform at least one analysis that uses at least one or more SPS coordinates and at least one assurance token. However, claimed subject matter is not limited to any particular described embodiments, implementations, examples, or so forth.
Abstract:
Lighter-than-air systems, methods, and kits for obtaining aerial images are described. For example, various methods for determining planned ascent, drift, and/or descent of a lighter-than-air system are described. In addition, various structural arrangements of lighter-than-air systems for accomplishing planned ascent, drift, and/or descent and obtaining aerial images are described.