Solar power tethered drone

• US 10,239,613 B2
• Filed: 01/17/2018
• Issued: 03/26/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 01/23/2017
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ameristar Solar, LLC
• Original Assignee: Ameristar Solar, LLC
• Inventors: Boyk, Sidney William
• Primary Examiner(s): Fleming, Fritz M
• Application Number:
  US15/873,051
• Publication Number:
  US 20180208310A1
• Time in Patent Office: 433 Days
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 39/022 Tethered aircraft
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 39/024 of the remote controlled vehicle type, i.e. RPV
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 27/353 using solar cells
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 47/08 Arrangements of cameras
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 5/00 Aircraft transported by aircraft, e.g. for release or reberthing during flight flying units formed by separate aircraft B64C37/02
• CPC Class Codes: B64F 1/007 Helicopter portable landing pads
• CPC Class Codes: B64F 3/02 with means for supplying electricity to aircraft during flight
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 10/60 Tethered aircraft
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 10/80 UAVs characterised by their small size, e.g. micro air vehicles [MAV]
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 2101/30 for imaging, photography or videography
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 50/19 using electrically powered motors
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 50/31 generated by photovoltaics
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 50/34 In-flight charging photovoltaics B64U50/31
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 70/20 for releasing or capturing UAVs in flight by another aircraft
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 70/99 Means for retaining the UAV on the platform, e.g. dogs or magnets
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 80/25 for recharging batteries; for refuelling
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 80/30 with arrangements for data transmission
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 80/70 in containers B64U80/60 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 80/82 Airborne vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2310/44 for aircrafts
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/35 : with light sensitive cells
• CPC Class Codes: H02S 20/30 : Supporting structures being movable or adjustable, e.g. for angle adjustment
• CPC Class Codes: H02S 40/38 : Energy storage means, e.g. batteries, structurally associated with PV modules
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/50 : Photovoltaic [PV] energy
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 70/30 : Systems combining energy storage with energy generation of non-fossil origin
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 50/50 : On board measures aiming to increase energy efficiency

Abstract

A mobile, powered monitoring system includes an array of solar panels, a battery bank of at least one battery electrically connected to the array of solar panels, a landing and connection platform electrically connected to the battery bank, a cable electrically connected to the landing and connection platform, a drone electrically and mechanically connected to the cable, the drone having at least one camera, and a transmitter to allow images captured by the camera to be sent to a base station.

Claims

1. A mobile, powered monitoring system, comprising:

an array of solar panels;

a battery bank of at least one battery electrically connected to the array of solar panels;

a landing and connection platform electrically connected to the battery bank;

a cable electrically connected to the landing and connection platform;

a drone electrically and mechanically connected to the cable, the drone having at least one camera; and

a transmitter to allow images captured by the camera to be sent to a base station.

2. The mobile, powered monitoring system of claim 1, further comprising a trailer to which the array of solar panels mounts.

3. The mobile, powered monitoring system of claim 2, wherein the battery bank and landing and connection platform reside on the trailer.

4. The mobile, powered monitoring system of claim 1, further comprising a support to which the array of solar panels mounts, wherein the support allows the array of solar panels to move vertically.

5. The mobile, powered monitoring system of claim 1, wherein the drone further comprises at least one sensor.

6. The mobile, powered monitoring system of claim 5, wherein the sensor comprises at least one of a light sensor, a moisture sensor, a thermometer, and a microphone.

7. The mobile, powered monitoring system of claim 1, wherein the cable provides power and data connection for the drone.

8. The mobile, powered monitoring system of claim 1, wherein the landing and connection platform includes power and data connectors.

9. The mobile, powered monitoring system of claim 1, wherein the drone comprises a mother drone having at least one mini-bot drone.

10. The mobile, powered monitoring system of claim 9, wherein the mini-bot drone has at least one connector to allow the mini-bot drone to attach and detach from the mother drone.

11. The mobile, powered monitoring system of claim 9, wherein the mini-bot drone as power and data connectors with the mother drone.

12. The mobile, powered monitoring system of claim 1, wherein the transmitter resides on one of the drone, the landing and connection platform, or a trailer.

13. The mobile, powered monitoring system of claim 1, wherein the base station is one of the landing and connection platform, a remote base station, or the drone.

14. The mobile, powered monitoring system of claim 1, further comprising a storage container for drying agricultural material.

15. The mobile, powered monitoring system of claim 14, further comprising an air filter at end of the platform.

16. The mobile, powered monitoring system of claim 15, further comprising exhaust fans at an end of the platform opposite the end having the air filters, the exhaust fans arranged to pull air through the filter and pass the air through the agricultural material and then exhaust the air out of the container.

17. The mobile, powered monitoring system of claim 14, further comprising banks of lamps to provide heat to the drying agricultural products.

18. The mobile, powered monitoring system of claim 17, wherein the lamps comprise ultraviolet lamps.

19. The mobile powered monitoring system of claim 14, further comprising an insulated loading door.