Inflatable endurance unmanned aerial vehicle

• US 20060261213A1
• Filed: 05/17/2005
• Published: 11/23/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 05/17/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation (Martin Marietta Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation (Martin Marietta Corporation)
• Inventors: Lavan, Charles K.
• Granted Patent: US 7,306,187 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 244/30
• CPC Class Codes: B64B 1/14 Outer covering
• CPC Class Codes: B64B 2201/00 Hybrid airships, i.e. airships where lift is generated aerodynamically and statically
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 3/30 comprising inflatable structural components

Abstract

An inflatable endurance unmanned vehicle includes an inflatable hull with at least one inflatable wing extending therefrom. The inflatable wing has at least one spar movable between an extended position and a retracted position. Photovoltaic arrays are used to power the vehicle during daytime operation and power an electrolyzer. A fuel cell powers the vehicle during nighttime operation.

Claims

1. An inflatable endurance vehicle, comprising:

an inflatable hull; and

at least one inflatable wing extending from said inflatable hull, said inflatable wing having at least one spar movable between an extended position and a retracted position.

2. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein said spar folds and unfolds between said positions.

3. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein said inflatable wings deflate and fold over said inflatable hull in the retracted position.

4. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein said inflatable wing has a leading edge spar and a trailing edge spar, both said spars constructed from a shape memory polymer.

5. The vehicle according to claim 4, wherein said shape memory polymer is heat activated by solar radiation, wherein the solar radiation moves said at least one inflatable wing to the extended position.

6. The vehicle according to claim 1, further comprising:

a power system coupled to said inflatable hull, said power system controlling the generation and distribution of power.

7. The vehicle according to claim 6, further comprising:

a propulsion system maintained by said power system, said propulsion system comprising a configuration/buoyancy controller and a propulsion controller, said configuration/buoyancy controller maintaining pressurization of said inflatable hull and said at least one inflatable wing, said propulsion controller maintaining directional control of the vehicle.

8. The vehicle according to claim 7, further comprising:

at least one propeller carried by said inflatable hull, and

a propulsion motor coupled to said at least one propeller, said propulsion controller supplying power and control signals to said propulsion motor.

9. The vehicle according to claim 8, further comprising:

a starboard propulsion motor and a port propulsion motor, each motor connected to said propulsion controller and to a corresponding propeller.

10. The vehicle according to claim 6, further comprising:

a photovoltaic array coupled to at least said inflatable hull and generating power supplied to said power system.

11. The vehicle according to claim 6, further comprising:

a fuel cell carried by said inflatable hull and generating power supplied to said power system.

12. The vehicle according to claim 6, further comprising:

a photovoltaic array coupled to at least said inflatable hull and generating power supplied to said power system; and

a fuel cell carried by said inflatable hull and generating power supplied to said power system.

13. The vehicle according to claim 6, wherein:

a photovoltaic array coupled to at least said inflatable hull;

a fuel cell carried by said inflatable hull; and

a power distribution controller connected to said photovoltaic array and said fuel cell to receive power generated from said photovoltaic array and said fuel cell.

14. The vehicle according to claim 13, further comprising:

a propulsion system connected to said power distribution controller to receive power generated by said photovoltaic array and said fuel cell.

15. The vehicle according to claim 14, wherein said propulsion system comprises:

a configuration/buoyancy controller and a propulsion controller, said configuration/buoyancy controller maintaining pressurization of said inflatable hull and said at least one inflatable wing, said propulsion controller maintaining directional control of the vehicle;

a pair of propellers carried by said inflatable hull; and

a pair of motors, each said motor connected to one of said propellers,

said power distribution controller primarily drawing power from said photovoltaic array while exposed to sunlight and primarily drawing power from said fuel cell when not exposed to sunlight.

16. The vehicle according to claim 15, wherein said power system comprises:

an internal power system comprising said fuel cell and further comprising

a fuel generation controller receiving input from said power distribution controller;

an electrolyzer receiving input from said fuel generation controller and said power distribution controller;

a water storage device which supplies water to said electrolyzer, said electrolyzer separating water into hydrogen and oxygen for use by said fuel cell which generates power received by said power distribution controller and water returned to said water storage device.

17. The vehicle according to claim 16, further comprising:

a mission controller having an antenna, said mission controller receiving mission signals via said antenna and sending the same to at least said configuration/buoyancy controller.

18. The vehicle according to claim 16, further comprising:

a vapor collector coupled to said water storage device to supplement the water supply.