Unmanned fluid-propelled aerial vehicle
AssigneeLockheed Martin Corporation
InventorsNathan E. Low, Peter J. Demas
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A water-propelled or water-powered unmanned aerial vehicle including a base configured to carry a payload, and at least one nozzle attached thereto. The at least one nozzle is configured to selectively receive pressurized fluid from a source located remotely from the vehicle. The vehicle includes a control system configured to alter or otherwise selectively dictate the flow of fluid through the at least one nozzle and/or the orientation of the at least one nozzle with respect to the base in response to a received control signal for providing controlled unmanned vehicle flight.
Claims20
A water-propelled unmanned aerial vehicle comprising:
- a base configured to carry a payload enclosed therein, the base having an input for receiving pressurized water from a source located remotely from the vehicle;
- a plurality of nozzles in fluid communication with the input, each of the plurality of nozzles attached to the base in a predetermined fixed orientation and configured to selectively receive and expel pressurized water from the source located remotely from the vehicle;
- and
- a control system configured to alter the flow of water through the plurality of nozzles in response to a received control signal to provide controlled flight of the vehicle.
An unmanned payload lifting system comprising:
- a water-propelled aerial vehicle including:
- a base;
- and
- a plurality of nozzles, each of the plurality of nozzles attached to the base in a fixed predetermined orientation and configured to receive and expel pressurized water to provide vertical thrust to the vehicle;
- a marine surface vehicle including a pump;
- a fluid conduit operatively attached to the marine surface vehicle and the aerial vehicle and configured to convey pressurized water from the pump to the nozzle;
- and
- a control system arranged on the aerial vehicle and configured to alter the flow of water through the plurality of nozzles to control aerial movement of the aerial vehicle.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.