# US 12,110,091 B2 · Centrifugal compressor based altitude control device with active valve system > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,110,091 B2 - Document ID: US12110091B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/815,709 - Filed: 2022-07-28 - Published: 2024-02-08 - Granted: 2024-10-08 - Earliest claimed: 2018-09-18 - Assignees: Aerostar Inernational, LLC - Applicants: Aerostar International, LLC - Inventors: Kevin Anderson; Keegan Gartner - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12110091B2 ## CPC - B64B 1/70: Ballasting arrangements - F04D 27/0292: {Stop safety or alarm devices, e.g. stop-and-go control; Disposition of check-valves} - B64B 1/40: Balloons (B64B1/58 takes precedence; toy balloons A63H27/10) - B64B 1/62: Controlling gas pressure, heating, cooling, or discharging gas - F04D 25/084: {hand fans} - F04D 27/008: {Stop safety or alarm devices, e.g. stop-and-go control; Disposition of check-valves} - F04D 27/0215: {Arrangements therefor, e.g. bleed or by-pass valves} - F04D 29/441: {especially adapted for elastic fluid pumps} - F04D 29/464: {adjusting flow cross-section, otherwise than by using adjustable stator blades} - F05D 2250/52: Outlet - B64B: LIGHTER-THAN AIR AIRCRAFT - F04D: NON-POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT PUMPS (engine fuel-injection pumps F02M; ion pumps H01J41/12; electrodynamic pumps H02K44/02) - F05D: INDEXING SCHEME FOR ASPECTS RELATING TO NON-POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT MACHINES OR ENGINES, GAS-TURBINES OR JET-PROPULSION PLANTS ## Abstract An altitude control system for an unmanned aerial vehicle includes a compressor assembly defining a plenum therein, a passive valve assembly coupled to a first portion of the compressor assembly and in fluid communication with the plenum, and an active valve assembly coupled to a second portion of the compressor assembly and in fluid communication with the plenum. A method of controlling an altitude of an unmanned aerial vehicle and an unmanned aerial vehicle are also provided. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An altitude control system for an unmanned aerial vehicle, comprising: a compressor assembly defining a plenum therein; a passive valve assembly coupled to a first portion of the compressor assembly and in fluid communication with the plenum and adapted to inhibit flow of fluid through an aperture of a diffuser; and an active valve assembly coupled to a second portion of the compressor assembly and in fluid communication with the plenum and adapted to inhibit flow of fluid through an aperture of a diffuser. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1 wherein the aperture is a first aperture in a plurality of apertures included in the diffuser. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1 a solenoid included in the active valve assembly to translate the active valve from a first closed position to a second open position. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The system of claim 3 wherein in the first closed position, the fluid is inhibited from flowing through the aperture of the plurality of apertures. ### Claim 5 (depends on 3) The system of claim 3 wherein fluid is permitted to flow through the aperture of the plurality of apertures in the second open position. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1 wherein the compressor assembly includes a motor; and an impeller in mechanical communication with the motor, such that rotation of the motor causes a corresponding rotation of the impeller. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1 wherein the compressor assembly includes a diffuser having an upper surface, the upper surface defining a plurality of apertures therethrough, the plurality of apertures in fluid communication with the plenum. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The system of claim 7 wherein the one or more valve assemblies are each disposed within respective apertures of the plurality of apertures of the diffuser. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The system of claim 8 wherein the umbrella valve is configured to abut a portion of the upper surface of the diffuser to inhibit the flow of fluid through the aperture of the plurality of apertures of the diffuser. ### Claim 10 An aerial vehicle, comprising: a balloon configured to retain a lifting gas and having a ballonet disposed therein that is configured to retain ballast gas therein; and a compressor assembly defining a plenum; a valve assembly coupled to the compressor assembly and in fluid communication with the plenum; a valve included in the valve assembly; a solenoid coupled with the valve; and wherein the valve assembly is configured for active and passive operation: in active operation the solenoid is configured to actively move the valve and permit communication with the plenum; and in passive operation the valve is configured to passively move according to pressurized fluid generated by the compressor assembly and permit communication with the plenum. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The aerial vehicle of claim 10 wherein the compressor assembly includes a diffuser having an upper surface, the upper surface defining a plurality of apertures therethrough, the plurality of apertures in fluid communication with the plenum. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The aerial vehicle of claim 11 wherein the one or more valve assemblies are disposed within respective apertures of the plurality of apertures of the diffuser. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The aerial vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the active valve assembly includes: a valve support coupled to a portion of the solenoid and the umbrella valve. ### Claim 14 An altitude control system for an aerial vehicle, comprising: a plenum defined by a compressor assembly; a valve assembly coupled to the compressor assembly and in fluid communication with the plenum; a solenoid coupled with the valve assembly; and wherein the valve assembly is configured for active and passive operation: in active operation the solenoid is configured to actively move the umbrella valve and permit communication with the plenum; and in passive operation the umbrella valve is configured to passively move according to pressurized fluid generated by the compressor assembly and permit communication with the plenum. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The system of claim 14 including a motor; and an impeller in mechanical communication with the motor, such that rotation of the motor causes a corresponding rotation of the impeller. ### Claim 16 (depends on 14) The system of claim 14 including a diffuser having an upper surface, the upper surface defining a plurality of apertures therethrough, the plurality of apertures in fluid communication with the plenum. ### Claim 17 (depends on 14) The system of claim 14 including a valve support coupled to a portion of the solenoid and the umbrella valve. ### Claim 18 (depends on 14) The system of claim 14 wherein the solenoid is configured to translate the valve from a first, closed position where fluid is inhibited from flowing through the aperture of the plurality of apertures to a second, open position where fluid is permitted to flow through the aperture of the plurality of apertures. ### Claim 19 (depends on 14) The system of claim 14 wherein the compressor assembly includes: a diffuser; a compressor housing configured to selectively engage the diffuser; and an intake configured to selectively engage the compressor housing. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The system of claim 19 wherein the diffuser and the compressor housing cooperate to define the plenum therebetween.