Rapid electrolyte replenishment system for aerial drones
AssigneeAlumaPower Corporation
InventorGeoffrey T. Sheerin
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A metal air battery electrolyte replenishment system comprised of a base station with docking receptor apparatus and matching docking probe on a flying drone. The probe onboard the drone has a sensor that guides the drone to connect with the electrolyte docking receptor on the base station. The drone uses the probe to obtain fresh electrolyte and simultaneously expel spent electrolyte into the base station while still in flight or during a brief landing. Rapid exchange of the electrolyte allows for extended range and flight time without penalty of onboard electrolyte reconditioning system and its associated weight.
Claims10
An aerial drone system comprising:
- an aerial drone comprising:
- a metal air battery;
- a heat exchanger;
- an array of sensors for detecting a receptacle;
- an electrolyte tank comprising (1) a first bladder with a first inlet valve and a first outlet valve and (2) a second bladder with a second inlet valve and a second outlet valve, the first bladder and the second bladder being separated by a flexible membrane;
- a probe that is fluidly connected to the electrolyte tank, the probe comprising:
- a fill port selectively connected to either (1) a first fill valve connecting to the first bladder or (2) a second fill valve connecting to the second bladder;
- a drain valve for selectively connecting to either the first bladder or the second bladder through a common drain line;
- an electrolyte pump fluidly connected to the metal air battery, the heat exchanger, the common drain line and selectively connected to either the first bladder or the second bladder through the first inlet valve or the second inlet valve, respectively;
- rapid electrolyte replenishment system comprising:
- the receptacle for receiving the probe, the receptacle comprising an aperture for receiving the fill port;
- at least one drain hole for receiving electrolyte from the drain valve;
- a feed pump for pumping electrolyte from an electrolyte tank to the aperture;
- a vacuum pump for pumping electrolyte from the at least one drain hole to an electrolyte storage tank.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.