Advancements in High-Altitude Drone Flight

Solar-powered unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) can ascend to higher altitudes during the day when fully charged and then glide down to lower altitudes at night to conserve stored energy. This allows the UAVs to use excess solar power to climb to higher altitudes when the batteries are full rather than just wasting energy. The climb-up and glide-down process delays battery use until later in the night when there is less time to charge again.

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Calibrating the altitude readings of a small stereo vision device on a UAV to accurately measure height at any altitude above ground. The method involves recording stereo vision altitude against another sensor during ascent and then adjusting the altitude readings using the calibration data. This extends the reliable altitude range beyond the stereo vision device's normal capabilities.

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An altitude control system for high-altitude unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) that compensates for thermal expansion mismatch. The system has a compressor assembly with a steel driveshaft inside an aluminum housing. A flexible plate applies preloading force to the bearings that change with temperature. This compensates for differential expansion rates between the steel shaft and aluminum housing to prevent bearing failure. The flexible plate moves closer to the housing as it expands, keeping the bearings loaded.

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Facilitating altitude-based device management in a wireless communications system, like 5G, allows for optimizing the performance of high-altitude devices like drones. The system involves having the devices report their altitude to the network so it can dynamically adjust their power, handover parameters, and other settings. This ensures proper network integration and prevents issues like interference, high PRB utilization, and handoff problems that can occur when high-altitude devices operate differently from ground-based ones.

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Modular payload system for high altitude drones that enables better payload equipment integration for greater precision in aiming while reducing mass and volume. The payload module includes a casing, a support structure, optical equipment, and a mirror. The support structure positions the optical equipment and mirror inside the casing. The mirror is mounted on a swivel to aim the camera view. The mirror swivel range can be offset from a centered reference position to provide flexibility. The modular payload design allows efficient integration of the optics and mirrors for aiming with reduced size and weight compared to fixed line-of-sight systems.

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High-altitude endurance unmanned aircraft (HALE UAVs) are used to augment and interdict satellite communications and surveillance. The HALE UAVs can fly at 65,000 feet, where the atmosphere is thin and clear, providing a stable, high vantage point. One use is GPS signal augmentation, where a fleet of HALE UAVs receive GPS signals and rebroadcast them to improve coverage. Another use is satellite sensor interdiction, where HALE UAVs track satellites and direct lasers to blind their sensors.

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An air-cooled fuel cell freeze-protection system for drones includes a heated air source, such as a combustion heater, that provides warm air to the fuel cell. The system also includes a compressor to pressurize the air delivered to the fuel cell. This warm, pressurized air prevents freezing and enables the fuel cell to operate in cold weather and at high altitudes.

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An advanced airborne meteorological system that uses unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) equipped with infrasound sensors to improve weather forecasting. The UAVs are made of lightweight foam materials with extendable wings to allow flight at different altitudes. They are fitted with infrasound sensors and other weather instruments to measure parameters like wind shear, seismic waves, magnetic storms, and severe weather.

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Communication terminal device for unmanned aerial vehicles that can dynamically adjust their antenna beam width to avoid interference from nearby ground base stations when flying at higher altitudes. The device has an altimeter to measure altitude. When altitude exceeds a threshold, the device switches to directional antenna mode.

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Unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) that increases flight height by using dual-polarized antennas oriented in two perpendicular directions. The UAV has a horizontal antenna to transmit and receive signals over long distances along the horizontal plane and a vertical antenna to compensate for the weaker vertical polarization signals. This allows the UAV to achieve much higher vertical flight heights than a traditional UAV with only vertical antennas.

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Flight path optimization for high altitude long endurance of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) using regenerative fuel cells and solar cells to enable continuous operation in the stratosphere. The method involves analyzing consumed/generated hydrogen and oxygen on preset flight paths through simulations to find the most efficient one. This is done by modeling the fuel cell and solar systems, simulating flights at different altitudes, and comparing hydrogen/oxygen needs.

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High-altitude long endurance (HALE) drone design that can carry a substantial payload for extended periods above a target location. The drone has a large upper enclosure filled with a low-density gas like helium or hydrogen that makes it buoyant. This allows the drone to offset its weight and carry a heavy payload. The gas-filled enclosure is positioned above the drone's horizontal plane of contra-rotating propellers. This configuration enables the drone to remain stationary for weeks or months at high altitude like a stratospheric platform for applications like long-term aerial observation or telecommunications relays.

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Ultralight aircraft for high altitude flight that can remain aloft for long periods, fly at high altitudes, and safely land if the structure fails. The aircraft has a securing device connecting components like the wing, fuselage, motor, and energy storage. This additional mechanical connection prevents detachment of heavy components like the motor or battery in case the normal fasteners fail. It can also enclose critical components in shrouds. This prevents free falling heavy parts that could cause damage if the aircraft structure collapses.

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An innovative method and system to launch long endurance solar powered unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) using lighter-than-air aircraft. The UAV is attached to a tether on the lifting surface and suspended below the lighter-than-air craft. The tether is released at altitude and the UAV spirals up into free flight. This allows launching high altitude UAVs using a lighter-than-air craft to minimize structural weight, enabling long endurance flight.

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