Solar Charging Drone Technology and Design

An electrically powered vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) aircraft with spinning wings for lift instead of traditional rotor blades. The aircraft has a non-rotating fuselage, a ring attachment for the spinning wings, and independent control of lift, thrust, and orientation for maneuverability. The spinning wings have aerodynamic features like winglets, flapping hinges, and lift control surfaces. The aircraft harvests solar energy in flight to supplement batteries. This allows long duration flight without emissions or refueling. The independent spinning wing control improves efficiency and allows precise hovering.

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An energy self-control base station for battery replacement of rotor UAVs, enabling autonomous takeoff and landing, and automatic battery replacement. The base station features a simple, three-rod telescoping landing platform with adjustable position control, and an electric gripper for battery handling. The system operates independently, powered by solar energy, and can maintain UAV endurance through automated battery replacement.

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A method for operating a cleaning system with a self-propelled cleaning device that optimizes energy harvesting from solar power by predicting and utilizing available solar energy on the cleaning surface. The system determines the temporal and spatial availability of solar energy through measurement and weather forecasting, and plans cleaning and charging processes accordingly. The system can also control sun protection devices to maximize solar energy capture and charge both the cleaning device and base station batteries using solar power.

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A self-charging modular portable survival drone that recharges by natural elements like wind and water. The drone has interlocking ducted fans and charging units that can be assembled into a compact backpack-sized device. When deployed, the fans can be submerged in water or left exposed to wind to generate power from the natural elements. The charging units convert the power to store it in onboard batteries. This allows the drone to charge itself without external power sources. The drone can also charge other devices through USB, perform remote flight operations, and signal for help using integrated features.

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Monitoring battery condition in unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) through a novel power management system. The system integrates a power generation device with a battery and a secondary power source, enabling the charging of the secondary power source from the primary power source. This enables the system to maintain continuous power to the secondary power source, even in scenarios where the primary power source is depleted. The secondary power source can be charged from the primary power source using the charging circuit, ensuring uninterrupted power to the secondary power source. This system enables the UAV to maintain precise control over its attitude and flight parameters while operating on battery power.

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A self-charging unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) that can extend flight time by dynamically managing battery charging. The UAV has two batteries, one for high power components like motors and another for lower power components like sensors. During flight, the UAV generates power from a motor shaft to charge the high power battery. When that drops below a threshold, it uses the charged lower power battery. This allows the UAV to continue operating while recharging the critical battery. The system also cools moving parts when hot and heats components when cold to maintain optimal temperature.

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Wirelessly charging autonomous vehicles like drones, robots, and aquatic vehicles without physical contact or exposed connections. The vehicles have removable batteries with coils to receive wireless power. Charging stations have transmit coils and logic to detect when a vehicle's receive coil is nearby. When detected, the transmitter switches to higher power for charging. This allows autonomous vehicles to find and charge at stations without landing or plugging in. It also enables wireless charging of moving vehicles.

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Enhancing the range of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) by using removable pods with supplemental batteries that can autonomously connect and disconnect mid-flight. The pods carry cargo and have their own batteries that can power the UAV when connected. This allows a UAV to extend its range by detaching an empty pod with a fully charged battery and attaching a new pod with cargo. The UAV can also swap pods mid-flight to replenish its power.

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Battery-free unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) that operates entirely from energy harvested from sunlight, eliminating the need for battery recharging and replacement. The UAV features a four-bar linkage mechanism, flapping wings, and a capacitor-based electrical subsystem that stores energy from solar panels to power the flight control system. The design enables extended flight times and opens up new applications for large-scale, sustained aircraft flight in areas such as wildfire monitoring, smart agriculture, and urban air quality assessment.

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Aerial moving body with wireless power transmission, comprising a rotary blade, airframe, power reception antenna with a larger-than-conventional opening area, drag-reducing structure, power converter, storage battery, and electric motor. The power reception antenna receives radio wave power and has an area larger than the projected airframe area on a perpendicular plane to the rotary blade axis. The drag-reducing structure minimizes descending airflow drag while maintaining power reception efficiency.

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Flexible UAV cargo transportation using UAVs and mobile exchange stations. The unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) receive payloads in removable containers from ground stations. The UAVs take off with the containers and deliver them to destinations. The containers are then removed by ground stations. The UAVs also have detachable batteries that can be swapped at the ground stations. This enables continuous UAV flights with rapid payloads and energy replenishment. The ground stations coordinate UAV landing, container and battery exchange.

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System and method for in-flight recharging of aerial vehicles (EAVs) without landing. The system uses a combination of solid conductors, plasma channels, and robotic arms to establish a conductive path between the EAV and a stationary or moving power source. The EAV approaches the charging station, and the robotic arms or plasma channel establish contact to complete the circuit. The system includes control equipment that schedules charging sessions, monitors EAV flight parameters, and provides instructions to the EAV and robotic arms.

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Power supply management system for long-distance drone transportation enables continuous flight by wirelessly transmitting power to the drone from a network of ground-based power transmitters. The system includes a power management device that tracks the drone's position and coordinates power transmission from multiple transmitters, allowing the drone to receive power continuously while in flight. The drone itself includes a power generation panel that adjusts its orientation to maximize power reception from the nearest transmitter.

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A self-charging tail-sitting UAV that combines vertical takeoff and landing with efficient fixed-wing flight, and wirelessly recharges from high-voltage transmission lines using electromagnetic induction. The UAV autonomously docks onto the wire using a hook and magnetic sensors, and then retracts its propellers to charge its battery. Once charged, the UAV restarts its propellers and flies away, eliminating the need for external charging infrastructure.

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Wirelessly charging aerial vehicles like drones or eVTOL aircraft by parking them above a charging pad on the ground. The aircraft has landing gear that can be adjusted to precisely position the charging receiver pad with respect to the transmitter pad to optimize charging efficiency.

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Flying object control system that optimizes power management and reduces wear on the power sources. It intelligently manages charging and discharging of the battery and generator to balance power needs, prevent overcharging/discharging, and minimize fuel consumption. It calculates the required battery charge level for takeoff based on the flight plan, predicts when to charge from the generator, and initiates generator power at that time. This avoids constant charging/discharging cycles that can degrade the battery and engine.

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A solar sheet for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) that enhances light collection efficiency and increases power production. The sheet features a textured polymer coversheet with prismatic structures that improve light collection at high incident angles, particularly during morning and evening hours or at high latitudes. The sheet is designed to be flexible and conform to curved UAV surfaces, with a bottom surface that overlays thin-film solar cells. The sheet's specific power is optimized to enable longer flight times for UAVs, with a power conditioning system that operates the solar cells within a desired power range and provides compatible voltage to the UAV's electrical system.

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Wireless charging system for urban air mobility (UAM) vehicles that enables efficient and automated charging through precise alignment of wireless power transceivers. The system uses a combination of sensors, cameras, and communication protocols to guide the UAM vehicle to a charging station, establish pairing with a user device, and perform primary and fine alignment of the wireless power transceivers. The system also enables real-time monitoring of charging efficiency and beam pattern analysis to optimize charging performance.

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A wireless charging system for urban air mobility vehicles that enables efficient and precise charging through a multi-step alignment process. The system includes a supply device and a vehicle-mounted charging unit that communicate to guide the vehicle to the charging location. The vehicle performs horizontal and longitudinal alignments based on distance and visual cues, followed by fine alignment based on power transmission efficiency and beam pattern analysis. The system enables reliable and efficient wireless charging of urban air mobility vehicles.

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Optimization method for UAV-based wireless information and energy transmission to coordinate wireless information and energy transmission between a UAV and a wireless device to maximize the overall network throughput. The method uses a Markov decision process (MDP) model to determine the best actions for the UAV based on its energy state and the wireless device's energy state. The actions can be to charge the device, transmit information, or remain idle.

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A method for operating a system comprising a battery-powered device, a base station, and a flying drone. The method involves charging the drone's battery at the base station, approaching the device with the drone, transferring energy from the drone's battery to the device's battery, and returning to the base station. The system enables extended operation of low-power devices through periodic drone-assisted battery charging.

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Proximity detection system for electric aircraft charging that uses sensors and a computing device to determine when an aircraft is in proximity to a charging station, and communicates a notification to the aircraft or charging station to initiate charging.

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An imaging system that enables continuous aerial imaging even when battery power is low by dynamically switching power between the imaging apparatus and the moving apparatus based on their respective remaining battery capacities. The system includes a control unit that determines whether to supply power from the imaging apparatus to the moving apparatus or vice versa based on the remaining battery capacities of both units, thereby extending the overall imaging time.

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A long-endurance unmanned ship powered by clean energy, comprising a hull, a drive mechanism, an energy recovery mechanism, a monitoring mechanism, and a control mechanism. The energy recovery mechanism includes a foldable sail and multiple solar panels arranged thereon, which convert solar energy into electric energy for propulsion. The monitoring mechanism includes sensors and a radar system for environmental monitoring, while the control mechanism enables autonomous operation and adaptive deployment of the sail and solar panels based on environmental conditions.

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Aerial towed platform for drones with a flat plate airfoil design that achieves high lift-to-drag ratios and enables efficient solar-powered flight. The platform features a pivotally connected flat plate airfoil with a rounded leading edge and a distributed load, which is propelled by a forward joint and a propulsor. The design enables robust and efficient flight, particularly for solar-powered aircraft, and can be used in combination with hybrid electric-fuel engines and VTOL drones.

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Enabling drones to transfer power between their batteries and the batteries of products they deliver during flight to extend range and charge devices in transit. The drone and product batteries can wirelessly or physically connect mid-flight to swap power. For short distances, the drone charges the product battery. For long distances, the drone takes charge from a full product battery. This allows delivering fully-charged devices and extending drone range by supplementing its battery. The power transfer can be via contacts or wireless charging standards like Qi.

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An unmanned air vehicle (UAV) that can operate in different flying modes and generate electricity during flight. The UAV has a body with aerofoil-shaped cross-section, at least four propellers, and a flying mode transition mechanism that enables movement between parallel and orthogonal thrust positions. The body also features solar panels on its upper and lower surfaces, as well as flaps with integrated solar panels, to generate electricity from sunlight and artificial light sources. The UAV's control unit manages energy production, storage, and distribution to enable long-duration flight.

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An autonomous drone station that allows drones to recharge and communicate autonomously without human intervention. The station has a landing surface with contact points that the drone can engage to initiate recharging or data transfer. This helps small lightweight drones land precisely on the station to connect with the contacts. The station may also have sensors and guidance systems to assist the drone in landing successfully.

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An airship for maintaining a fleet of delivery drones. The airship has a fuselage, thrusters, and lift cells filled with helium gas. It also has a wind generator, tethered power transfer system, and onboard storage batteries. The airship uses the wind generator to generate electricity for recharging the delivery drones. It also has a tethered system for recharging the drone batteries in flight. The airship can autonomously maneuver to desired locations, orient itself to the wind, and use the wind generator to produce electricity for recharging the delivery drones.

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A charging system for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) that uses deep contact tips to transfer power. The system features angled contact surfaces and terminals placed below the surface of the charging platform, preventing UAVs from being blown away by wind and eliminating the risk of short circuits in wet conditions. The design enables safe and reliable charging of UAVs both indoors and outdoors, regardless of weather conditions.

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System and method for extending the endurance of electric unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) through in-flight power harvesting from high-voltage transmission lines. The system includes a self-powering payload with transformable coils that capture magnetic flux from the transmission line's electromagnetic field, generating an electromotive force (EMF) voltage to continuously power and charge the UAV's batteries while airborne.

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Solar powered airship with multiple lift mechanisms, including aerodynamic wings, water vapor lift, and lighter-than-air gas, powered by solar energy and electric motors, with rotors and propellers for propulsion.

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Wireless power transfer systems that can power drones and robots as they move along prescribed paths, by adapting the wireless power transmitter to the path constraints. The drones/robots follow fixed routes and schedules, enabling the wireless charging system to use simplified, lower-cost antennas with fixed beam focal points that match the motion paths. This tailored antenna design allows efficient wireless power transfer without complex, expensive beamforming arrays.

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Method and apparatus for charging an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) battery in-flight using a high voltage power line. The UAV flies a specified distance from the power line while an inductor attached to the UAV generates energy from the power line's electromagnetic field, which is then directed to the UAV's rechargeable battery. The system monitors charge level and efficiency to optimize charging while maintaining a safe distance from the power line.

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Flight control system for drones that enables continuous flight by dynamically adjusting charging points based on battery capacity, flight speed, and device characteristics. The system acquires a flight path, monitors battery remaining capacity, and specifies charging facilities along the route. When capacity falls below a threshold, the system automatically directs the drone to the nearest charging point for recharging before resuming flight.

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A mobile ground station for vertical takeoff aerial vehicles that provides landing pads, charging functionality, and protective casings. The station includes an extendable landing pad that transitions between a closed configuration for storage and an open configuration for landing, and a charging mechanism integrated into a protective casing. The station can be powered by solar panels, wind turbines, or other renewable energy sources, and can be equipped with additional features such as a weather station, transportation module, and suspension system. The station can be deployed over a range to extend the operational range of aerial vehicles.

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Flight vehicle with a wing having a hollow outer shell member with transmittance, double-side generation type solar cells disposed on the upper surface, and a light reflecting part on the inner surface of the outer shell member. The light reflecting part redirects light incident from the lower surface of the wing through the outer shell member to the lower surfaces of the solar cells.

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Energy management control system for solar powered drones that improves overall efficiency and endurance by optimizing power output. The system uses a power matching table to adjust ESC throttle and second DC-DC voltage based on power demand compared to cruise threshold.

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A platform that generates energy independently from the electrical grid and wirelessly transfers power to vehicles and devices, extending their range of operation. The platform can be deployed at sea, in the air, or on land, using various energy harvesting technologies such as wave energy converters, wind turbines, or solar panels. The generated energy is stored and transmitted wirelessly to vehicles and devices, eliminating the need for physical connections or battery swaps.

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Powering unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) through a novel battery management system that optimizes energy harvesting and storage during solar-powered flight. The system enables the UAV to ascend to higher altitudes during daylight hours by utilizing excess energy generated by the solar array, while maintaining optimal battery temperature limits. This approach enables the UAV to conserve energy during nighttime operations by descending to lower altitudes after sunset, thereby extending its flight duration and reducing overall mission duration. The system incorporates a power management system that dynamically controls charging and discharging of the battery pack based on solar array output and flight conditions.

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A solar thermal propulsion system for CubeSats that uses a photonic crystal-based optical filter to capture solar radiation and heat a phase-change material, which is then expanded through a traditional nozzle to produce high thrust levels. The system eliminates the need for concentrators and can operate with minimal power, making it suitable for CubeSats with limited power budgets. The system uses water as a propellant, which is non-explosive, readily available, and poses little risk to primary payloads. The system's compact design and low power requirements enable it to be integrated into CubeSats without compromising their primary payload capacity.

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Autonomously controlling electric power supplied to thrusters during orbit raising to minimize propellant usage and shorten orbit raising duration. The spacecraft calculates battery state of charge at eclipses. Then, for each orbit, it determines the thruster power level that provides the shortest orbit raising time and minimal propellant use based on the battery state. This balances charging/discharging during sun/eclipse phases. The thruster power levels are set in steps matching predefined operating points. If battery exceeds a threshold, power is increased. If below, power is decreased. This autonomous power management balances charging and discharging the battery while optimizing thruster power for orbit raising.

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Recharging station for electric aircraft like vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircrafts that allows rapid and reliable charging during trips. The station has an elevated landing pad, a rechargeable component, a power delivery unit, and a support component. The aircraft lands on the elevated pad to charge via the rechargeable component. This isolates the charging from the grid and allows off-grid charging. The support component provides features like lifting, housing, and storage for the aircraft and crew. It also enables charging in remote areas without grid access.

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Power tethering system for electric VTOL aircraft that enables them to take off and hover using a detachable cable to an external power source instead of onboard batteries. This allows a smaller and lighter battery pack for forward flight, increasing payload and range. The tethered power is disconnected in flight.

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A drone recharging station for remote locations, comprising a housing with photovoltaic panels, an electrical energy storage assembly, a drone receiving platform, and a power coupling. The station generates electrical energy from solar power, stores it in the assembly, and transfers it to drones via the power coupling. The station can also provide wireless communication and GPS capabilities, and can be controlled remotely to optimize solar energy harvesting.

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A ground station for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) that enables continuous flight by swapping depleted batteries with charged ones. The station has a rotating base plate with linear rails, a scissor lift, and linear sliders. When a UAV's battery charge falls below a threshold, the station deploys a second UAV and rotates the base plate to switch UAV positions. This allows the depleted UAV to land and charge while the fresh UAV continues flying. The station can also communicate battery status and location to coordinate the swap.

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A power management system for a surface and airborne micro-organism and matter identification system that employs artificial intelligence and machine learning algorithms to optimize power source selection and utilization. The system integrates multiple power sources, including electricity, batteries, fossil fuels, natural gas, hydrogen fuel cells, nuclear power, and solar energy, to provide power to drones, robots, and stationary components. The AI/ML platform learns from power consumption patterns and environmental conditions to determine the most efficient and environmentally friendly power source combination for each application, while also predicting and adapting to changing power requirements.

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Wireless charging system for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) enables infinite flight time by detecting and harnessing ambient electromagnetic energy from power infrastructure. The system uses nonlinear components to boost voltage and rectify power at a distance, and incorporates an amplifier to increase charging range. The UAV autonomously navigates to power sources and configures its coils to maximize power reception, allowing continuous operation without battery replacement.

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In-flight power recharging and data sharing system for drones that enables simultaneous power harvesting and communication while in flight. The system uses a strand-shaped electrical conductor that extends from a drone to a power transmission line, inducing an alternating current signal when in proximity to the changing magnetic field. The AC signal is converted to DC power and used to recharge the drone's power system, while also enabling data communication between drones through the same conductor. The system allows drones to recharge and communicate while in flight, eliminating the need for landing stations and enabling continuous operation.

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A method to safely operate electric aircraft like drones and stratospheric platforms when their batteries reach low charge levels. The method involves allowing the batteries to discharge below their minimum operating voltage instead of cutting power, and then flying or descending while continuing to discharge. This prevents a sudden power loss and allows controlled landing instead of uncontrolled falls. The aircraft can then be serviced or charged in a low altitude area.

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