公开(公告)号：US09637231B2

公开(公告)日：2017-05-02

申请号：US14831687

申请日：2015-08-20

Applicant: X Development LLC

Inventor： Erik Christopher Chubb ,  Damon Vander Lind

IPC: B64C39/02 ,  F03D5/00 ,  G05D1/08 ,  F03D13/20

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 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.

公开(公告)号：US09886864B1

公开(公告)日：2018-02-06

申请号：US15014618

申请日：2016-02-03

Applicant: X Development LLC

Inventor： Erik Christopher Chubb ,  Thomas Van Alsenoy ,  Fort Felker

IPC: G05D1/10 ,  F03D7/00 ,  G08G5/04 ,  B64C39/02 ,  B64F3/00 ,  F03D5/00

CPC classification number: G05D1/101 ,  B64C39/022 ,  B64C39/024 ,  B64C2201/12 ,  B64F3/00 ,  F03D5/00 ,  F03D7/00 ,  F05B2240/921

Abstract: A method is disclosed where an airborne wind turbine (AWT) is prevented from coming into contact with airborne objects such as birds and bats. The AWT determines the location and characteristics of the incoming airborne objects, and depending on the determined risk value, may shift the location of the aerial vehicle of the AWT in order to avoid the risk of colliding with the airborne objects. Other considerations used by the AWT's determination may include whether the aerial vehicle can continue to generate electricity while performing the avoidance maneuver.

公开(公告)号：US09994314B2

公开(公告)日：2018-06-12

申请号：US15376651

申请日：2016-12-12

Applicant: X DEVELOPMENT LLC

Inventor： Erik Christopher Chubb ,  Damon Vander Lind

IPC: B64C39/02 ,  F03D5/00 ,  G05D1/08 ,  F03D13/20

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 includes 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 includes positioning the aerial vehicle at a first location that is substantially on the tether sphere. The method includes 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 includes 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.

公开(公告)号：US20180273172A1

公开(公告)日：2018-09-27

申请号：US15989173

申请日：2018-05-24

Applicant: X DEVELOPMENT LLC

Inventor： Erik Christopher Chubb ,  Damon Vander Lind

IPC: B64C39/02 ,  F03D5/00 ,  F03D13/20 ,  G05D1/08 ,  F03D9/25

Abstract: A method includes 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 includes positioning the aerial vehicle at a first location that is substantially on the tether sphere. The method includes 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 includes 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.

公开(公告)号：US20170088259A1

公开(公告)日：2017-03-30

申请号：US15376651

申请日：2016-12-12

Applicant: X DEVELOPMENT LLC

Inventor： Erik Christopher Chubb ,  Damon Vander Lind

IPC: B64C39/02 ,  F03D5/00 ,  F03D13/20 ,  G05D1/08

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 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.