Solar Towed Aerial Platforms
AssigneesAdam B. Suppes, The Suppes Family Trust
InventorsGalen Suppes, Adam B. Suppes
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An aerial towed platform flies behind a lead vehicle collecting more power than needed to overcome the drag of the towed platform. The towed platform planform is comprised mostly of a single photovoltaic sheet with lift forces on both the upper and lower surface of the sheet. The camber of the platform is preferably between 0.02 and 0.06 with distributed propulsion able to change camber continuity and increase lift relative to drag. The applications include, but is not limited to, aircraft, trucks, cars, railcars, and boats. The most-preferred application is vehicles with low drag where the solar power can provide more than 30% of the energy needs of the vehicle.
Claims19
A vehicle comprising a leading propulsion surface and a trailing lifting body said trailing lifting body comprising a photovoltaic sheet configured to generate lift on both the upper and lower surface of the photovoltaic sheet;
- wherein
- the trailing lifting body is configured to operate at an average pitch that is variable relative to the average pitch of the leading propulsion surface;
- and wherein,
- the solar power generated by the trailing lifting body is greater than the power needed to sustain flight of the trailing lifting body.
A method for increasing the lift drag ratio of a vehicle comprising a leading lifting body surface, a trailing lifting body surface, and a ducted fan;
- the method comprising the steps:
- a) accelerating the vehicle to attain air flow over the leading lifting body,
- b) intaking air from over the leading lifting body into the ducted fan,
- c) discharging air under the trailing lifting body surface from a discharge of the ducted fan, and
- d) changing the average pitch of trailing lifting body to balance upward lift forces on the trailing lifting body with downward weight on the trailing lifting body.
A fabrication method for a vehicle comprising a leading lifting body surface, a trailing lifting body surface, and a ducted fan, the fabrication method comprising:
- a) fabricating a ducted fan with a first connection on a forward lower duct surface and a second connection on the trailing upper duct surface, b) attaching the leading lifting body surface to the first connection, and c) attaching the trailing lifting body surface to the second connection;
- wherein the trailing connection is configured to pivot about a laterally extending axis.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.