Methods for aerial avoidance
AssigneeX Development LLC
InventorsErik Christopher Chubb, Thomas Van Alsenoy, Fort Felker
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method is disclosed where an airborne wind turbine (AWT) is prevented from coming into contact with airborne objects such as birds and bats. The AWT determines the location and characteristics of the incoming airborne objects, and depending on the determined risk value, may shift the location of the aerial vehicle of the AWT in order to avoid the risk of colliding with the airborne objects. Other considerations used by the AWT's determination may include whether the aerial vehicle can continue to generate electricity while performing the avoidance maneuver.
Claims20
A method comprising:
- initially operating an aerial vehicle to travel on a first closed flight path, wherein the first closed flight path is within a first operating area, and wherein the aerial vehicle is connected to a ground station via a tether and generates power while traveling on the first closed flight path;
- determining location information corresponding to an airborne object;
- based on the location information corresponding to the airborne object, determining a risk value of the first operating area;
- comparing the risk value of the first operating area with a threshold risk value;
- when the risk value of the first operating area exceeds the threshold risk value by less than a predetermined amount, responsively operating the aerial vehicle within the first operating area;
- and
- when the risk value of the first operating area exceeds the threshold risk value by more than the predetermined amount, determining a second operating area for the aerial vehicle, wherein the second operating area has a risk value less than the risk value of the first operating area;
- and
- responsively operating the aerial vehicle to travel on a second closed flight path, wherein the aerial vehicle remains within the second operating area while traveling on the second closed flight path.
A system comprising:
- a sensor system operable to detect airborne objects;
- a communication system for communicating with an aerial vehicle, wherein the aerial vehicle is connected to a ground station via a tether;
- a computing system comprising a processor, wherein the computing system is configured to:
- initially operate the aerial vehicle to travel on a first closed flight path, wherein the first closed flight path is within a first operating area, and wherein the aerial vehicle generates power while traveling on the first closed flight path;
- operate the sensor system to determine location information corresponding to an airborne object;
- based on the location information corresponding to the airborne object, determine a first risk value that corresponds to the first operating area;
- compare the first risk value to a threshold risk value;
- when the first risk value exceeds the threshold risk value by less than a predetermined amount, operate the aerial vehicle within the first operating area;
- when the first risk value exceeds the threshold risk value by more than the predetermined amount, determine a second operating area for the aerial vehicle, wherein the second operating area has a second risk value that is less than the first risk value that corresponds to the first operating area;
- and
- responsively operate of the aerial vehicle to travel on a second closed flight path, wherein the aerial vehicle remains within the second operating area while traveling on the second closed flight path.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.