Abstract:
Modern farming is currently being done by powerful ground equipment or aircraft that weigh several tons and treat uniformly tens of hectares per hour. Automated farming can use small, agile, lightweight, energy-efficient automated robotic equipment that flies to do the same job, even able to farm on a plant-by-plant basis, allowing for new ways of farming. A hybrid airship-drone has both passive lift provided by a gas balloon and active lift provided by propellers. A hybrid airship-drone may be cheaper, more stable in flight, and require less maintenance than other aerial vehicles such as quadrocopters. However, hybrid airship-drones may also be larger in size and have more inertia that needs to be overcome for starting, stopping and turning.
Abstract:
In one embodiment, an unmanned aircraft comprises a housing, an inflatable fuselage, three motors, and three propellers. The housing may comprise an enclosure configured to house one or more electrical components. The inflatable fuselage may comprise a first, a second and a third spindle each extending from the housing. The first motor may be coupled to a first propeller and mounted to the first spindle. The second motor may be coupled to a second propeller and mounted to the second spindle. The third motor may be coupled to a third propeller and mounted to the third spindle.
Abstract:
Provided is a buoyant aerial vehicle which can secure high safety by reducing the risk of crashing, and which can facilitate control of movement by suppressing the influence of wind and exhibit high mobility capability. The buoyant aerial vehicle is configured by including: 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 to the buoyant vehicle body; and a horizontal propulsion propeller which provides horizontal propulsive force to the buoyant vehicle body, and is configured such that the buoyant vehicle body has horizontal wind passages formed in at least two directions, and has outer peripheral edges each formed into an acute angle in side view.
Abstract:
A hybrid VTOL vehicle having an envelope configured to provide hydrostatic buoyancy, a fuselage attached to the envelope and having at least one pair of wings extending from opposing sides thereof to produce dynamic lift through movement, and a thrust generation device on each wing and configured to rotate with each wing about an axis that is lateral to a longitudinal axis of the envelope to provide vertical takeoff or landing capabilities. Ideally, the envelope provides negative hydrostatic lift to enhance low-speed and on-the-ground stability.
Abstract:
The present invention is a variable geometry lighter-than-air (LTA) aircraft that is adapted to morph its shape from a symmetric cross-section buoyant craft to an asymmetric lifting body and even to a symmetric zero lift configuration. The basic structure is a semi rigid airship with movable longerons. Movement of the longerons adjusts the camber of the upper and/or lower surfaces to achieve varying shapes of the lifting-body. This transformation changes both the lift and drag characteristics of the craft to alter the flight characteristics. The transformation may be accomplished while the craft is airborne and does not require any ground support equipment.
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.
Abstract:
Lighter than air apparatuses include at least one ballast container having an electrically insulated and fire resistant, an envelop containing a gas and a plasma generating and heating assembly, where the containers provide lift by generating a plasma within the envelop. In certain embodiments, the envelop includes an expandable portion.
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.
Abstract:
An aerial vehicle is described which comprises: a first compartment for holding a lighter than air gas; a second compartment for holding atmospheric air and having an inlet and an outlet; a solar panel for converting sunlight into electricity; a compressor for pumping atmospheric air through the inlet into the second compartment; control means for controlling the pitch and yaw of the vehicle; and a controller for controlling the buoyancy of the vehicle via the compressor and the outlet such that the vehicle is either lighter than the surrounding air and rising or heavier than the surrounding air and falling, and for controlling the control means such that the rising and falling motion includes a horizontal component. In another embodiment the solar panel is replaced by an engine and a fuel tank for storing fuel for the engine is also provided.The aerial vehicle can remain airborne for extended periods by using buoyancy propulsion.In the embodiments including a solar panel, a system including a light transmission station may be provided to supply energy to the solar panel from the light transmission station rather than relying on the incident sunlight alone.A method of flight using buoyancy propulsion is also described.
Abstract:
The present invention provides a method, comprising: providing an aerial platform having an outer shell; disposing a gas containment system within the outer shell; attaching the aerial platform to an object using a tether system; and inflating the aerial platform and lifting a payload; wherein the aerial platform is configured such that it may be completely collapsed when deployed.