Multi-medium vehicle systems

• US 20070012817A1
• Filed: 08/12/2005
• Published: 01/18/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 08/13/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Daniel Parmley
• Original Assignee: Daniel Parmley
• Inventors: Parmley, Daniel
• Application Number:
  US11/202,525
• Publication Number:
  US 20070012817A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 244/2
• CPC Class Codes: B60F 5/00 Other convertible vehicles, i.e. vehicles capable of travelling in or on different media vehicles having alternatively-usable runners and wheels B62B13/18; cycles convertible into other types of land vehicles B62K13/00; aircraft B64; flying-boats or seaplanes B64C
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 37/00 Convertible aircraft
• CPC Class Codes: F41H 7/005 Unmanned ground vehicles, i.e. robotic, remote controlled or autonomous, mobile platforms carrying equipment for performing a military or police role, e.g. weapon systems or reconnaissance sensors F41H11/16 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F41H 7/02 Land vehicles with enclosing armour, e.g. tanks endless-track vehicles, steering thereof B62D ; vehicles for placing portable or sectional bridges E01D15/127; vehicles carrying floating bridges E01D15/22

Abstract

A multi-medium vehicle system is disclosed which uses a common controller to at least partially control each of a plurality of vehicles to move a common payload through multiple transportation mediums. Each vehicle may be designed for a particular transportation medium, such as air, land, water or other medium. The vehicles may be coupled together to share the common controller and may uncouple for transportation purposes. The vehicle that delivers the payload to the destination remains coupled to the common controller, while other vehicles may uncouple from the common controller before delivery. A method of use is also disclosed.

Claims

1. ) A system for conducting operations relating to various transportation mediums, the system comprising:

a) a plurality of vehicles, wherein

i) each vehicle of said plurality of vehicles is adapted to at least one particular transportation medium of the various transportation mediums; and

ii) each vehicle of said plurality of vehicles is adapted to be coupled to a common controller; and

b) said common controller adapted to be coupled to each particular said vehicle of said plurality of vehicles and operable to at least partially control said each particular vehicle of said plurality of vehicles,

c) wherein at least one coupling between said common controller and said vehicle of said plurality of vehicles comprises a releasable coupling.

2. ) The system of claim 1, wherein said common controller comprises at least one structure adapted to be mechanically coupled to each said vehicle of said plurality of vehicles.

3. ) The system of claim 1, further comprising at least one operational payload, wherein said at least one payload is operable to perform at least one task responsive to at least one signal from said common controller.

4. ) The system of claim 1, wherein said common controller comprises a communication coupling to each particular said vehicle of said plurality of vehicles.

5. ) The system of claim 4, wherein said common controller comprises a data transfer link operable to transfer data between said common controller and at least one vehicle of said plurality of vehicles.

6. ) The system of claim 1, wherein said common controller further comprises at least one navigator operable to generate signals operable to at least partially navigate each vehicle of said plurality of vehicles.

7. ) The system of claim 6, wherein said at least one navigator comprises at least one autonomous navigator operable to store at least one navigation plan and to execute said at least one navigation plan responsive to at least one execution command.

8. ) The system of claim 6, wherein said common controller further comprises at least one propulsion subsystem.

9. ) The system of claim 1, further comprising at least one remotely-located communicator, wherein said common controller further comprises at least one local communicator operable to transfer data between said common controller and said at least one remotely-located communicator.

10. ) The system of claim 9, wherein said local communicator is further operable to transfer data between said common controller and said each vehicle of said plurality of vehicles.

11. ) The system of claim 9, wherein said at least one remotely-located communicator comprises at least one remote-control console.

12. ) The system of claim 1, comprising an atmospherically buoyant vehicle configurable to be coupled to said common controller.

13. ) The system of claim 12, further comprising a ground vehicle, wherein said common controller is further configurable to couple to said ground vehicle.

14. ) The system of claim 13, wherein said atmospherically buoyant vehicle is configurable to uncouple from said common controller.

15. ) The system of claim 13, wherein said ground vehicle comprises hybrid pontoons configurable to operate both as obstacle-surmounting devices and as pontoons.

16. ) The system of claim 1, wherein at least one vehicle of said plurality of vehicles is a variable-configuration vehicle.

17. ) A method of transporting a payload through a plurality of transportation mediums, comprising the steps of:

a) providing a first vehicle adapted to a first transportation medium of said plurality of transportation mediums, wherein said first vehicle is coupled to said payload;

b) providing a second vehicle adapted to a second transportation medium of said plurality of transportation mediums;

c) providing a common controller adapted to be coupled to at least the first and second vehicles;

d) coupling said first vehicle and said second vehicle to said common controller;

e) propelling said first vehicle with said payload through a first transportation medium of said plurality of transportation mediums using said second vehicle; and

f) subsequently propelling said first vehicle through a second transportation medium of said plurality of transportation mediums using said first vehicle.

18. ) A multi-medium vehicle comprising:

a) one first vehicle;

b) at least one second vehicle; and

c) at least one common controller detachably coupled to said one first vehicle and detachably coupled to said at least one second vehicle;

d) wherein said at least one common controller is operable to at least assist in controlling operation of said first vehicle and to at least assist in controlling operation of said second vehicle.

19. ) The multi-medium vehicle of claim 18, wherein said first vehicle comprises a twin-hulled atmospherically buoyant vehicle.

20. ) The multi-medium vehicle of claim 18, wherein said second vehicle comprises adaptations for operations on a planetary surface.