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.
Claims18
A water-propelled unmanned aerial vehicle comprising:
- a base configured to carry a payload enclosed therein;
- at least one nozzle attached to the base, the nozzle configured to selectively receive and expel pressurized water from a source located remotely from the vehicle;
- a control system configured to alter at least one of the flow of water through the at least one nozzle;
- and the orientation of the at least one nozzle with respect to the base, in response to a received control signal, to provide controlled flight of the vehicle;
- an actuator responsive to a control signal generated by the control system for altering the orientation of the at least one nozzle with respect to the base;
- and
- an electrical generator configured to be driven by the water and operatively connected to the control system for supplying electrical power thereto.
A water-propelled unmanned aerial vehicle comprising:
- a base defining a payload bay configured to carry a payload enclosed therein;
- a plurality of nozzles attached to the base, the nozzles configured to selectively receive and expel pressurized water from a source located remotely from the vehicle;
- a control system configured to alter at least one of the flow of water through the at least one nozzle;
- and the orientation of at least one of the plurality of nozzles with respect to the base, in response to a received control signal, to provide controlled flight of the vehicle;
- an actuator responsive to a control signal generated by the control system for altering the orientation of at least one of the plurality of nozzles with respect to the base;
- and
- an electrical generator operatively connected to the control system for supplying electrical power thereto.
An unmanned payload lifting system comprising:
- a water-propelled aerial vehicle including a nozzle configured to receive and expel pressurized water to provide vertical thrust to said 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;
- a control system arranged on the aerial vehicle and configured to alter at least one of the flow of water through the nozzle;
- and the orientation of the nozzle, with respect to the aerial vehicle to control aerial movement of said aerial vehicle;
- an actuator responsive to a control signal generated by the control system for altering the orientation of the nozzle with respect to the aerial vehicle;
- an electrical conduit operatively connected between the marine surface vehicle and the aerial vehicle;
- and
- an electrical generator arranged on the marine surface vehicle and operatively connected to the control system via the electrical conduit for supplying electrical power thereto.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.