摘要:
The exemplary embodiments herein provide a tether for use with an airborne device, where the tether contains an elongate member having a first end for attaching to a ground attachment point and an opposing second end for attaching to the airborne device where the elongate member has a cross-sectional area which varies across the member. In some embodiments, the tether contains one or more electrically conductive elements, an optional strength element, insulation separating any adjacent electrically conductive elements, and a jacket which surrounds and protects each of the tether components.
摘要:
An example system includes an aerial vehicle, a tower, a tether, a gimbal assembly coupled to the tower, and a ring or landing surface coupled to the tower. The tether is connected between the gimbal assembly and the aerial vehicle. When the aerial vehicle is not in flight, the aerial vehicle may hang from the tether or park on the landing surface. In some embodiments, the ring or landing surface may support the tether away from the tower to prevent the aerial vehicle from contacting the tower. In some examples, the tower may include a lattice structure and guy wires, in other examples the tower may be tubular, while in other examples the tower may be a buoy.
摘要:
A quadcopter pressure washer that may facilitate cleaning objects and surfaces in remote areas. The quadcopter pressure washer includes a tubular airframe, a plurality of rotary motors, a battery and controller, a pair of antennae, a signal receiver, a nozzle, a turret, a high-pressure hose, a pressure washer, a direct current or a DC power source, an alternating current/direct current or a AC/DC converter and a 120V AC power source. The quadcopter pressure washer also includes an operator control panel include additional a pair of antennae that extend upward in a programmable position from the operator control panel to transmit or receive any suitable electromagnetic signals. The additional pair of antennae utilizes state-of-the-art Doppler radar technology in electrical communication with the battery and controller. The operator control panel includes a signal emitter positioned in front of the operator control panel.
摘要:
A tether guide system operable through a wide range of tether/fleeting angles while causing minimal wear to the tether. The tether guide system may include a series of rollers arranged in a curved path. Also disclosed are tether guides with a sliding belt, a guide surface, or a guide wheel, all for use in the disclosed tether guide system.
摘要:
A tethered passive wing system for the conversion of flow energy into electric energy which exhibits optimized aerodynamic and mechanical properties for reliable and efficient operation and is only connected through one or more tensile elements to a converter unit and comprises an optimized combination of rigid, non-flexural structural elements such as, for example, beams and shell structures and flexible fabric structures, such as, for example, membranes, films, laminates.
摘要:
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.
摘要:
The invention relates to an improved system for parking and processing aircraft in relatively efficient manner. The invention also relates to an improved method for parking and processing aircraft in relatively efficient manner, particularly by making use of a system for parking and processing aircraft according to the invention.
摘要:
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.
摘要:
A kite system with a ground station adapted for airborne power generation. The kite system may include a kite which includes one or more airfoils which have mounted thereon a plurality of turbine driven generators. The turbine driven generators may also function as motor driven propellers in a powered flight mode, which may be used during take-off, which may include aspects of vertical take-off and landing. A perch adapted to facilitate the take-off and landing may be used as part of the system. The perch may pivot such that the pivot is oriented towards the tension direction of the tether.
摘要:
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, such as a substantially circular path, to convert kinetic wind energy to electrical energy. The aerial vehicle may be coupled to a winch assembly via a tether. The winch assembly may include a winch drum and a drum door. The winch assembly may be configured such that the drum door may operate in two or more positions, such as an open position and a closed position, to reduce the likelihood of stability problems occurring at the aerial vehicle during winding or unwinding of the tether.