# US 2021/0323697 A1 · Delivery of electrical power > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2021/0323697 A1 - Document ID: US20210323697A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 16/325,814 - Filed: 2017-08-15 - Published: 2021-10-21 - Earliest claimed: 2016-08-22 - Assignees: EE Limited - Applicants: EE Limited - Inventors: Ayan GHOSH - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20210323697A1 ## CPC - H02J 4/00: Circuit arrangements for mains or distribution networks not specified as AC or DC; Circuit arrangements for mains or distribution networks combining AC and DC sections or sub-networks (arrangements using intermediate DC-AC-DC conversion H02J1/002; arrangements using high-voltage DC [HVDC] links H02J3/36) - B64B 1/50: Captive balloons - B64F 3/02: with means for supplying electricity to aircraft during flight - H02J 3/14: by switching loads on to, or off from, the networks, e.g. progressively balanced loading - H02J 13/12: Monitoring network conditions, e.g. electrical magnitudes or operational status - H02J 13/13: characterised by the transmission of data to equipment in the power network - H02J 13/1333: {by means of mobile telephony} - H04B 7/18506: {Communications with or from aircraft, i.e. aeronautical mobile service} - H02J 13/1317: {using an auxiliary transmission line} - H02J 2105/32: {for aircrafts} - H02J: ELECTRIC POWER NETWORKS; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS OR SYSTEMS FOR SUPPLYING OR DISTRIBUTING ELECTRIC POWER; SYSTEMS FOR STORING ELECTRIC ENERGY - B64B: LIGHTER-THAN AIR AIRCRAFT - B64F: GROUND OR AIRCRAFT-CARRIER-DECK INSTALLATIONS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR USE IN CONNECTION WITH AIRCRAFT; DESIGNING, MANUFACTURING, ASSEMBLING, CLEANING, MAINTAINING OR REPAIRING AIRCRAFT, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; HANDLING, TRANSPORTING, TESTING OR INSPECTING AIRCRAFT COMPONENTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR - H04B: TRANSMISSION ## Abstract A tethered aircraft or balloon carrying a communications base station for rapid deployment in emergency situations. Electrical power is delivered from a generator on the ground using a pulsed electrical supply system in which each power pulse is delivered over a cable and acknowledged, and pulses only continue to be delivered whilst such acknowledgements are received by the ground station. This reduces the risks associated with delivering electrical power over an aerial tether, and avoids the need for an earth (ground) connection, reducing the risk from lightning. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An aircraft comprising: a connection point for a tether; an electrical power connection for receiving electrical power through a cable from a remote source; a receiving unit for a pulsed electrical delivery system connected through the electrical power connection; a monitoring unit for detecting electrical pulses received by the receiving unit; and a communications transmitter for transmitting a signal in response to detection of electrical pulses by the monitoring unit. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The aircraft according to claim 1, further comprising wireless communications equipment powered by the pulsed electrical delivery system, for operation as a communications base station. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The aircraft according to claim 1 or wherein the communications transmitter is configured to report a power level of electrical pulses detected by the monitoring unit. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The aircraft according to claim 1, wherein the communications transmitter transmits the signal over a wireless interface. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The aircraft according to claim 1, wherein the communications transmitter transmits the signal over a wired communications connection associated with the electrical power connection. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The aircraft according to claim 1, configured to enter a controlled descent mode in the event that the monitoring unit detects no electrical pulses within a predetermined period. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The aircraft according to claim 1, being a captive balloon. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The aircraft according to claim 1, being a tethered powered heavier-than-air craft. ### Claim 9 A method of delivery of electrical power to an aircraft connected to the ground by a tether, comprising: delivering electrical pulses to an airborne aircraft from a ground-based device over an electrical connection; transmitting, by the airborne aircraft, acknowledgements of the electrical pulses; and transmitting, by the ground-based device, each electrical pulse in response to the acknowledgement of a previous electrical pulse, and suspending transmission if no acknowledgement is received. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The method according to claim 9, wherein the electrical connection is a cable associated with the tether. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The method according to claim 9, wherein the acknowledgements are transmitted over a communications line associated with the tether. ### Claim 12 (depends on 9) The method according to claim 9, wherein if no acknowledgement is received by the ground-based device, one or more electrical pulses are transmitted at reduced power. ### Claim 13 (depends on 9) The method according to claim 9, wherein if the airborne aircraft ceases to detect electrical pulses, the airborne aircraft enters a controlled descent mode. ### Claim 14 (depends on 9) The method according to claim 9, wherein the aircraft is a captive balloon. ### Claim 15 (depends on 9) The method according to claim 9, wherein the aircraft is a tethered powered heavier-than-air craft. ### Claim 16 (depends on 9) The method according to claim 9, wherein the aircraft operates as a wireless communications base station. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The method according to claim 16, wherein a backhaul connection to a communications network is provided from the aircraft through the ground-based device. ### Claim 18 (depends on 2) The aircraft according to claim 2, further comprising a control apparatus for disconnecting the wireless communications equipment from a power supply of the pulsed electrical delivery system when the aircraft is not airborne. ### Claim 19 (depends on 16) The method according to claim 16, wherein wireless communications equipment of the aircraft is disconnected from a power supply when the aircraft is not airborne.