Submergible aerial vehicle
AssigneeAurora Flight Sciences Corporation
InventorSamvruta Tumuluru
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A submergible aerial vehicle with one or more rotors, a body operatively connected to the one or more rotors, and a platform operatively connected to the body. The vehicle is configured to operate with one or more additional vehicles such that the platform of each vehicle connects together and forms a segment of an enlarged floating platform. The enlarged platform is configured to support an object above the water. The body includes a cavity that is able to be at least partially filled with fluid. The cavity causes the submergible aerial vehicle to be at least partially submerged in a body of water.
Claims20
A submergible aerial vehicle, the vehicle comprising:
- one or more rotors;
- a body operatively connected to the one or more rotors;
- a platform operatively connected to the body, wherein:
- the platform is configured to form a segment of a floating platform, and
- a cavity, wherein:
- the cavity is in the body, and
- when at least partially filled with fluid, the cavity causes the submergible aerial vehicle to be at least partially submerged in a body of water;
- wherein the floating platform is formed by platforms of a plurality of submergible aerial vehicles, and the floating platform is configured to support an object.
A system of connectable submergible aerial vehicles, the system comprising:
- a plurality of submergible aerial vehicles, each comprising:
- one or more rotors,
- a body operatively connected to the one or more rotors;
- a platform operatively connected to the body, wherein:
- the platform is configured to form a segment of an enlarged platform;
- and
- a cavity, wherein:
- the cavity is in the body, and
- when at least partially filled with fluid, the cavity causes the submergible aerial vehicle to be at least partially submerged in a body of water;
- wherein the enlarged platform is formed by the platforms of the plurality of submergible aerial vehicles, and the enlarged platform is configured to support an object.
A method of submerging a submergible aerial vehicle, the method comprising:
- operating a submergible aerial vehicle over a body of water;
- maneuvering a cavity of the submergible aerial vehicle to contact the body of water, wherein:
- the cavity is below a surface of a platform of the submergible aerial vehicle, and the platform is configured to form a segment of an enlarged platform, the enlarged platform is formed by platforms of a plurality of submergible aerial vehicles;
- and
- taking fluid into the cavity, wherein the platform is floating and is configured to support an object.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.