Solar powered stratospheric glider
AssigneeSolaris Suborbital Inc.
InventorsAndrew Charles Elson, Daniel Michael Doulton
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A glider system capable of sustained long-term flight includes a fixed-wing glider having a dual fuselage system. The top surface of the glider is covered with a plurality of photovoltaic cells capable of powering onboard sensors, propeller systems, and/or onboard processers. The glider includes wing spars with a composite material covering an inner foam core, with the type of foam core or use of reinforcement materials differs along the length or width of the wing spars. The glider is able to downward facing sacrificial winglets to provide a landing system without the need for bulkier landing gear.
Claims20
A glider, comprising:
- at least one wing body connected to a plurality of fuselages;
- a plurality of vertical stabilizers connected to ends of the plurality of fuselages;
- wherein the plurality of vertical stabilizers are hingedly connected to the plurality of fuselages;
- wherein the plurality of vertical stabilizers each extend vertically above and below the plurality of fuselages;
- and
- wherein bases of the plurality of vertical stabilizers include skids.
A glider, comprising:
- at least one wing body connected to a plurality of fuselages;
- a plurality of vertical stabilizers connected to ends of the plurality of fuselages;
- wherein the plurality of vertical stabilizers are hingedly connected to the plurality of fuselages;
- wherein the plurality of vertical stabilizers each extend vertically above and below the plurality of fuselages;
- and
- wherein the plurality of vertical stabilizers are configured such that when the skids of the plurality of vertical stabilizers make contact with a ground surface, tops of the vertical stabilizers pivot forwards about the hinged connection.
A glider, comprising:
- at least one wing body connected to a plurality of fuselages;
- a plurality of vertical stabilizers connected to ends of the plurality of fuselages;
- one or more winglets extending downwardly from at least one end of the at least one wing body;
- wherein the plurality of vertical stabilizers are hingedly connected to the plurality of fuselages;
- wherein the plurality of vertical stabilizers each extend vertically above and below the plurality of fuselages;
- wherein bases of the plurality of vertical stabilizers include skids;
- and
- wherein the skids of the plurality of vertical stabilizers and the one or more winglets each include sacrificial layers.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.