Hybrid airship
OwnerBrendon G. Nunes, Florentin Christoph von Frankenberginventors
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A hybrid airship (drone, UAV) capable of significantly extended flight times can use one of two technologies, or both together. The first technology uses a combination of a lifting gas (such as hydrogen or helium) in a central volume or balloon and multirotor technology for lift and maneuvering. The second technology equips the airship with an on board generator to charge the batteries during flight for extended flight operations, with an internal combustion engine (such as a high power to weight ratio gas turbine engine) driving the generator. A quadcopter or other multicopter configuration is desirable.
Claims23
An airship comprising:
- a frame;
- a plurality of rotors driven by a plurality of electric motors for providing both lift and horizontal movement of said airship frame;
- at least one battery operatively connected to said electric motors to provide electricity for powering said electric motors;
- an electronic controller for controlling said electric motors;
- and a flight time-extending device distinct from said battery, rotors and electric motors, said flight time-extending device including a central volume of lighter-than-air gas.
(canceled)
11-12. (canceled)
A multicopter comprising:
- a frame;
- a plurality of rotors driven by a plurality of electric motors for providing both lift and horizontal movement of said airship frame;
- at least one battery operatively connected to said electric motors to provide electricity for powering said electric motors;
- an electronic controller for controlling said electric motors;
- at least one generator for recharging said at least one battery;
- and
- an internal combustion engine with a power to weight ratio of at least about 1.5:1, expressed in kW and pounds, for powering said at least one generator.
(canceled)
A multicopter comprising:
- a frame;
- a plurality of rotors driven by a plurality of electric motors for providing both lift and horizontal movement of said airship frame;
- at least one battery operatively connected to said electric motors to provide electricity for powering said electric motors;
- an electronic controller for controlling said electric motors;
- and
- a central volume of lighter-than-air gas.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.