公开(公告)号：US09272782B1

公开(公告)日：2016-03-01

申请号：US14565770

申请日：2014-12-10

Applicant: STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANY

Inventor： James M. Freeman ,  Roger D. Schmidgall ,  Brian N. Harvey ,  Nathan L. Tofte

IPC: B64C39/02

CPC classification number: B64C39/022 ,  A63H27/04 ,  A63H30/02 ,  B64C39/024 ,  B64C2201/145 ,  B64C2201/148 ,  F16G11/12 ,  Y10T24/10 ,  Y10T24/31 ,  Y10T29/49826

Abstract: A tethering system for a remote-controlled device includes a tether line having a first end adapted to be connected to a ground support and a second end adapted to be connected to the remote-controlled device. The system further includes an anchor-point disposed between the first and second ends of the tether line, the anchor point having an eyelet for securing the tether line and allowing the tether line to slide through the eyelet during use. The anchor-point and eyelet enable the tether line to flex or bend and the remote-controlled device to maneuver one or more of over or around the target area without interfering with any nearby obstructions.

公开(公告)号：US09260202B2

公开(公告)日：2016-02-16

申请号：US13847583

申请日：2013-03-20

Applicant: Gabriel Shachor ,  Shy Cohen ,  Ronen Keidar

Inventor： Gabriel Shachor ,  Shy Cohen ,  Ronen Keidar

IPC: B64C27/08 ,  B64C27/20 ,  B64F1/12 ,  B64C39/02 ,  B64C29/04 ,  B64C27/04 ,  B64F1/00

CPC classification number: B64F1/12 ,  B64C27/04 ,  B64C27/08 ,  B64C29/04 ,  B64C39/022 ,  B64C39/024 ,  B64C2201/027 ,  B64C2201/108 ,  B64C2201/122 ,  B64C2201/127 ,  B64C2201/148 ,  B64F1/007 ,  B64F1/125

Abstract: A system that includes a ground unit that includes: a takeoff and landing platform; a landing and takeoff assisting module; and a housing. The takeoff and landing platform is arranged to hold and support an aerial unit during a first part of a landing process of the aerial unit and a first part of takeoff process of the aerial unit. The aerial unit is coupled to the ground unit via a connecting element. The effective length of the connecting element increases during the takeoff process and decreases during the landing process. The landing and takeoff assisting module is coupled to the takeoff and landing platform and is arranged to (a) lower the takeoff and landing platform into the housing during a second part of the landing process and (b) elevate the takeoff and landing platform during a second part of the takeoff process.

Abstract translation: 一种包括地面单元的系统，包括：起降平台; 着陆和起飞辅助模块; 和住房。 起飞和着陆平台布置成在天线单元的着陆过程的第一部分和天线单元的起飞过程的第一部分期间保持和支撑天线单元。 天线单元通过连接元件耦合到接地单元。 连接元件的有效长度在起飞过程中增加，在着陆过程中减小。 着陆和起飞辅助模块耦合到起飞和着陆平台，并且被布置成（a）在着陆过程的第二部分期间将起飞和着陆平台降低到壳体中，并且（b）在起飞和着陆平台期间提升起飞和着陆平台 起飞过程的第二部分。

公开(公告)号：US09126682B2

公开(公告)日：2015-09-08

申请号：US14028251

申请日：2013-09-16

Applicant: Google Inc.

Inventor： Erik Christopher Chubb ,  Damon Vander Lind

IPC: B64C39/02 ,  F03D1/00

CPC classification number: B64C39/022 ,  B64C2201/021 ,  B64C2201/148 ,  F03D1/00 ,  F03D5/00 ,  F05B2240/917 ,  F05B2240/921 ,  Y02E10/70 ,  Y02E10/728

Abstract: A method involves operating an aerial vehicle in a hover-flight orientation. The aerial vehicle is connected to a tether that defines a tether sphere having a radius based on a length of the tether, and the tether is connected to a ground station. The method involves positioning the aerial vehicle at a first location that is substantially on the tether sphere. The method involves transitioning the aerial vehicle from the hover-flight orientation to a forward-flight orientation, such that the aerial vehicle moves from the tether sphere. And the method involves operating the aerial vehicle in the forward-flight orientation to ascend at an angle of ascent to a second location that is substantially on the tether sphere. The first and second locations are substantially downwind of the ground station.

Abstract translation: 一种方法涉及以悬停飞行方向操作飞行器。 航空器连接到一个系绳，该系绳限定了基于系绳长度的半径的系绳球，并且系绳连接到地面站。 该方法包括将飞行器定位在基本上在系绳球上的第一位置。 该方法包括将空中飞行器从悬停飞行方向转换到前向飞行方向，使得飞行器从系绳球移动。 并且该方法涉及以前向飞行方向操作飞行器，以升高的角度升高到基本上处于系绳球上的第二位置。 第一和第二位置基本上是地面站的顺风向。

公开(公告)号：US20150183517A1

公开(公告)日：2015-07-02

申请号：US14620204

申请日：2015-02-12

Applicant: Google Inc.

Inventor： Kenneth Jensen ,  Erik Christopher Chubb ,  Damon Vander Lind

IPC: B64C39/02 ,  F03D9/00 ,  F03D11/04 ,  G05D1/10

CPC classification number: B64C39/022 ,  B64C2201/021 ,  B64C2201/148 ,  F03D5/00 ,  F03D5/06 ,  F05B2240/921 ,  G05D1/0866 ,  G05D1/101 ,  Y02E10/70 ,  Y02E10/725

Abstract: A method may involve operating an aerial vehicle to travel along a first closed path on a tether sphere while oriented in a crosswind-flight orientation. A tether may be connected to the aerial vehicle on a first end and may be connected to a ground station on a second end. Further, the tether sphere may have a radius corresponding to a length of the tether. The method may further involve while the aerial vehicle is in the crosswind-flight orientation, operating the aerial vehicle to travel along a second closed path on the tether sphere, such that a speed of the aerial vehicle is reduced. And the method may involve after or while the speed of the aerial vehicle is reduced, transitioning the aerial vehicle from traveling along the second closed path while in the crosswind-flight orientation to a hover-flight orientation.

公开(公告)号：US09056687B2

公开(公告)日：2015-06-16

申请号：US13759084

申请日：2013-02-05

Applicant: Gabriel Shachor ,  Shy Cohen ,  Ronen Keidar ,  Zvi Yaniv

Inventor： Gabriel Shachor ,  Shy Cohen ,  Ronen Keidar ,  Zvi Yaniv

IPC: B64C27/00 ,  B64C27/08 ,  B64F1/12 ,  B64C39/02 ,  B64C29/04 ,  B64C27/04

CPC classification number: B64F1/12 ,  B64C27/04 ,  B64C27/08 ,  B64C29/04 ,  B64C39/022 ,  B64C39/024 ,  B64C2201/027 ,  B64C2201/108 ,  B64C2201/122 ,  B64C2201/127 ,  B64C2201/148 ,  B64F1/007 ,  B64F1/125

Abstract: An aerial unit, a method and a system are provide, the system includes a ground unit; an aerial unit and a connecting element arranged to connect the ground unit to the aerial unit. The ground unit may include a connecting element manipulator, a ground unit controller for controlling the connecting element manipulator; and a ground unit location sensor arranged to generate ground unit location information indicative of a location of the ground unit. The wherein the aerial unit may include a first propeller, a frame, a first propeller motor, at least one steering element; and an aerial unit location sensor arranged to generate aerial unit location information indicative of a location of the aerial unit. At least one of the ground unit and the aerial unit includes a controller that is arranged to control, at least in response to a relationship between the aerial unit location information and the ground unit location information, at least one of the first propeller motor and the at least one steering element to affect at least one of the location of the aerial unit and an orientation of the aerial unit.

Abstract translation: 提供一种天线单元，方法和系统，该系统包括接地单元; 天线单元和布置成将地面单元连接到天线单元的连接元件。 接地单元可以包括连接元件操纵器，用于控制连接元件操纵器的接地单元控制器; 以及地面单元位置传感器，布置成产生指示地面单元的位置的地面单元位置信息。 其中，所述天线单元可以包括第一螺旋桨，框架，第一螺旋桨电动机，至少一个操纵元件; 以及天线单元位置传感器，布置成产生指示天线单元的位置的天线单元位置信息。 地面单元和天线单元中的至少一个包括控制器，其被布置为至少响应于天线单元位置信息和地面单元位置信息之间的关系来控制第一螺旋桨电动机和 至少一个操纵元件，以影响天线单元的位置和天线单元的定向中的至少一个。

公开(公告)号：US20150158586A1

公开(公告)日：2015-06-11

申请号：US14620194

申请日：2015-02-12

Applicant: Google Inc.

Inventor： Brian Hachtmann ,  Corwin Hardham ,  Damon Vander Lind ,  Rob Nelson

IPC: B64C39/02 ,  F03D11/04 ,  B64F3/00

CPC classification number: B64C39/022 ,  B64C2201/021 ,  B64C2201/148 ,  B64F3/00 ,  B64F3/02 ,  F03D5/00 ,  F05B2240/917 ,  F05B2240/921 ,  F05B2240/923 ,  H01R39/64 ,  Y02E10/70 ,  Y02E10/728

Abstract: Wind energy systems, such as an Airborne Wind Turbine (“AWT”), may be used to facilitate conversion of kinetic energy to electrical energy. An AWT may include an aerial vehicle that flies in a path to convert kinetic wind energy to electrical energy. The aerial vehicle may be tethered to a ground station with a tether that terminates at a tether termination mount. In one aspect, the tether may be a conductive tether that can transmit electricity and/or electrical signals back and forth between the aerial vehicle and the ground station. The tether termination mount may include one or more gimbals that allow for the tether termination mount to rotate about one or more axis. In a further aspect, the tether termination mount may include a slip ring that allows for rotation of the tether without twisting the tether.

公开(公告)号：US20150134152A1

公开(公告)日：2015-05-14

申请号：US14535118

申请日：2014-11-06

Applicant: DOW AGROSCIENCES LLC

Inventor： Tristan Coram ,  Yang Yang ,  Terry R. Wright ,  Pradeep Setlur ,  Fikru Haile

IPC: B64B1/50 ,  B64D47/08 ,  G05D1/00 ,  B64B1/44

CPC classification number: G01N33/0098 ,  B64B1/44 ,  B64B1/50 ,  B64B1/66 ,  B64C39/022 ,  B64C2201/148 ,  B64D47/08 ,  B64F1/12 ,  B64F1/14 ,  F03D5/00 ,  G05D1/00 ,  G05D1/0094 ,  G05D1/0866

Abstract: A system for high temporal and high spatial resolution monitoring of a field of plants is disclosed. Illustratively, the system includes a plurality of ground based reference objects, a balloon adapted to be positioned above the field of plants, and a balloon positioning system coupled to the balloon and configured to position the balloon relative to the field of plants. An imaging system is supported by the balloon and includes a locations system, at least one camera, and at least one gimbal configured to orient the at least one camera. The imaging system captures at least one image of the field of plants including the plurality of ground based reference objects in the at least one image.

Abstract translation: 公开了一种用于植物领域的高时空和高空间分辨率监测的系统。 示例性地，该系统包括多个基于地面的参考对象，适于定位在植物场上方的球囊，以及耦合到球囊并被配置为相对于植物领域定位球囊的球囊定位系统。 成像系统由气球支撑并且包括位置系统，至少一个照相机以及被配置为定向至少一个相机的至少一个万向架。 所述成像系统在所述至少一个图像中捕获包括所述多个基于地面的参考对象的植物区域的至少一个图像。

公开(公告)号：US20150076289A1

公开(公告)日：2015-03-19

申请号：US14144545

申请日：2013-12-30

Applicant: Google Inc.

Inventor： Erik Christopher Chubb ,  Damon Vander Lind

IPC: B64C13/00 ,  B64C39/02

CPC classification number: B64C39/022 ,  B64C2201/021 ,  B64C2201/12 ,  B64C2201/148 ,  F03D5/00 ,  F03D9/25 ,  F03D13/20 ,  F05B2240/921 ,  G05D1/0866 ,  Y02E10/70 ,  Y02E10/728

Abstract: A method may involve operating an aerial vehicle in a hover-flight orientation. The aerial vehicle may be connected to a tether that defines a tether sphere having a radius based on a length of the tether, and the tether may be connected to a ground station. The method may involve positioning the aerial vehicle at a first location that is substantially on the tether sphere. The method may involve transitioning the aerial vehicle from the hover-flight orientation to a forward-flight orientation, such that the aerial vehicle moves from the tether sphere. And the method may involve operating the aerial vehicle in the forward-flight orientation to ascend at an angle of ascent to a second location that is substantially on the tether sphere. The first and second locations may be substantially downwind of the ground station.

Abstract translation: 一种方法可以包括以悬停飞行方向操作飞行器。 航空器可以连接到限定了基于系绳的长度的半径的系绳球的系绳，并且系绳可以连接到地面站。 该方法可以包括将飞行器定位在基本上在系绳球上的第一位置。 该方法可以包括将空中飞行器从悬停飞行方向转换到前向飞行方向，使得空中飞行器从系绳球移动。 并且该方法可以涉及以前向飞行方向操作飞行器，以升高的角度上升到基本上在系绳球上的第二位置。 第一和第二位置可以是地面站的大致顺风向。

公开(公告)号：US20150041598A1

公开(公告)日：2015-02-12

申请号：US14124993

申请日：2012-06-09

Applicant: Thomas J. Nugent ,  David Bashford ,  Jordin T. Kare ,  David James Bashford

Inventor： Thomas J. Nugent ,  David Bashford ,  Jordin T. Kare ,  David James Bashford

IPC: B64D27/02 ,  B64D37/00 ,  H02J17/00

CPC classification number: H02J50/30 ,  B64B1/50 ,  B64C39/022 ,  B64C39/024 ,  B64C2201/021 ,  B64C2201/022 ,  B64C2201/027 ,  B64C2201/042 ,  B64C2201/06 ,  B64C2201/148 ,  B64F3/00 ,  B64F3/02 ,  H02J7/025 ,  H02J17/00 ,  H02J50/40 ,  H04B10/807

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 translation: 空中平台通过光纤从远程光功率源接收以光的形式（例如激光）的功率。 平台包括将至少一部分光转换成不同形式的功率（例如电力）的接收器。 该平台还包括消耗不同形式的动力以产生推进推力的推进元件。 从远程电源向空中平台供电可使平台比平台承载的电池或燃料箱更长时间保持高度。 由于电导体通常比光纤重，所以在许多情况下以光的形式发射功率在传输电力方面是优选的，并且在存在雷电或高压电力线的情况下是危险的。

公开(公告)号：US20140316608A1

公开(公告)日：2014-10-23

申请号：US13866489

申请日：2013-04-19

Applicant: SIKORSKY AIRCRAFT CORPORATION

Inventor： Mark R. Alber ,  Timothy Fred Lauder ,  Jonathan Hartman ,  Bryan Clark Holasek

IPC: B64C19/00 ,  B64C29/00 ,  B64D47/00 ,  B64C39/02

CPC classification number: B64C19/00 ,  B64C29/00 ,  B64C39/022 ,  B64C39/024 ,  B64C2201/024 ,  B64C2201/042 ,  B64C2201/06 ,  B64C2201/123 ,  B64C2201/148 ,  B64D47/00

Abstract: An electrically powered of the vertical takeoff and landing aircraft configured for use with a tether station having a continuous power source is provided including at least one rotor system. The vertical takeoff and landing aircraft additionally has an autonomous flight control system coupled to the continuous power source. The autonomous flight control system is configured to operate an electrical motor coupled to the at least one rotor system such that the vertical takeoff and landing aircraft continuously hovers above the tether station in a relative position. The vertical takeoff and landing aircraft also includes a detection system for detecting objects at a distance from the vertical takeoff and landing aircraft.

Abstract translation: 提供了一种配置成与具有连续动力源的系绳站一起使用的垂直起飞和着陆飞机的电力供应器，其包括至少一个转子系统。 垂直起飞和着陆飞机还具有耦合到连续电源的自主飞行控制系统。 自主飞行控制系统被配置为操作耦合到至少一个转子系统的电动机，使得垂直起飞和着陆飞机在相对位置连续地悬挂在系绳站上方。 垂直起降飞机还包括一个检测系统，用于检测与垂直起飞和着陆飞机相距一定距离处的物体。