Unmanned Aircraft for Telecommunicative or Scientific Purposes

• US 20090189015A1
• Filed: 07/01/2006
• Published: 07/30/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 01/10/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Kamal Alavi
• Original Assignee: Kamal Alavi
• Inventors: Alavi, Kamal
• Granted Patent: US 8,286,910 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 244/97
• CPC Class Codes: B64B 1/60 Gas-bags surrounded by separate containers of inert gas

Abstract

The invention relates to an unmanned aircraft for telecommunicative or other scientific purposes, which is stationed in determined height, in particular in the stratosphere. The aircraft comprises a gas-filled balloon (11) carrying a platform (10) and means for maintaining the platform position relative to the ground. The balloon (11) carrying the platform (10) is disposed in the interior of an external balloon (12) of aerodynamical shape, particularly in the stratosphere. At least one low or high pressure insulation chamber (20; 20′; 20″) filled with a medium is arranged between them and encircles the inner balloon (11). The medium used in the insulation chamber is a gas having a low thermal conductivity. The negative effects of the temperature differences are largely compensated so that the inner balloon can be produced from a lighter and cheaper material, thereby increasing durably its longevity.

Claims

1. Unmanned aircraft as platform for telecommunications or for other scientific purposes, to be stationed at a pre-determined altitude, in particular in the stratosphere, comprising an outer balloon (12) which is provided with an aerodynamic external shape, and a gas-filled balloon (11) arranged inside this, supporting a platform, and means for maintaining the position of the platform with respect to the earth, characterised in that between the outer balloon (12) and the inner balloon (11) at least one low- or high-pressure insulating chamber (20;

20′

;

20″

) is formed, where a low thermal conductivity gas is used as medium for the insulation chamber.

2. Aircraft according to claim 1, characterised in that the gas for the insulating chamber (20;

20′

;

20″

) is air, xenon and/or krypton.

3. Aircraft according to claim 1, characterised in that the insulation chamber (20′

) extends helically around the inner balloon (11) and is delimited by transversal sections (50) running between the inner balloon (11) and the outer balloon (12).

4. Aircraft according to claim 1, characterised in that the insulation chamber (20′

) is arranged on the inner perimeter of the outer balloon (12), runs helically and at a distance from the inner balloon (11) and is formed by one or more envelopes (50′

) approximately rectangular in cross-section.

5. Aircraft according to claim 1, characterised in that around the inner balloon (11) a number of interconnected pocket- or cushion-shaped insulation chambers is arranged, which at least partially fill the space between the inner balloon (11) and the outer balloon (12) or are arranged at a distance from the inner balloon (11) on the inner perimeter of the outer balloon (12).

6. Aircraft according to claim 1, characterised in that between the insulation chamber (20;

20″

) and the inner balloon (11), there is a further insulation chamber (20) which can be filled with outside air.

7. Aircraft according to claim 1, characterised in that the outer balloon (12) is provided on part of its surface, in particular in the rear part and/or on the elevator and rudder unit (13, 14), with a solar collector film (40), for energetic exploitation of solar radiation during the day, while an additional plastic layer, in particular a layer of foam, or a different insulating material, is applied to the solar collector film (40) as heat shield.

8. Aircraft according to claim 1, characterised in that the outer balloon (12) is provided with an infrared collector film (41), for energetic exploitation of the infrared re-radiation from the earth during the night.

9. Aircraft according to claim 8, characterised in that the infrared collector film (41) covers a larger area of the outer balloon (12;

12′

) than the solar collector film (40).

10. Aircraft according to claim 8, characterised in that both the inner balloon (11) and the outer balloon (12) and possibly also the transversal sections (50) and/or the one or more envelopes (50′

) are made from a transparent material, while the infrared collector film (41) is applied on the inside of the outer balloon (12;

12′

) facing towards the earth.

11. Aircraft according to claim 1, characterised in that both the inner balloon (11) and the outer balloon (12) are made from a multilayer plastic, in which an aluminium layer is applied onto a plastic, preferably polyethylene base.

12. Aircraft according to claim 1, characterised in that means for clearing the insulating chamber (20;

20′

;

20″

) or insulating chambers of moisture are provided.

13. Aircraft according to claim 1, characterised in that the outer balloon (12), in order to maintain its aerodynamic shape, is functionally connected with an additional balloon (28) forming a compensation chamber and fillable with a low thermal conductivity gas.

14. Aircraft according to claim 1, characterised in that the inner balloon (11) is functionally connected with an additional balloon (58) forming a compensation chamber and fillable with the same gas, via which, to maintain the temperature at as constant as possible a set value, the pressure in the inner balloon (11) can be adjusted, the set value preferably corresponding to the night-time outside temperature.

15. Aircraft according to claim 1, characterised in that for the purpose of gas circulation, the at least one insulating chamber (20;

20′

;

20″

) is provided with one or more inlets (36) on the underside of the outer balloon (12) and with one or more outlets (36′

) on the upper side.

16. Unmanned aircraft for telecommunications or other scientific purposes, to be stationed at a pre-determined altitude, in particular in the stratosphere, with an outer balloon (12) having an aerodynamic outer form and a gas-filled balloon (11) arranged inside this, supporting a platform (10), and also means for maintaining the position of the platform with respect to the earth, characterised in that at least one additional balloon (31) is arranged in the inner balloon (11) with an inlet and an outlet valve for letting gas in or out, preferably air, by means of which a constant pressure is generated in the balloon (11) enveloping this one.

17. Unmanned aircraft for telecommunications or other scientific purposes, to be stationed at a pre-determined altitude, in particular in the stratosphere, with an outer balloon (12) having an aerodynamic outer form and a gas-filled balloon (11) arranged inside this, supporting a platform (10), and also means for maintaining the position of the platform with respect to the earth, characterised in that the inner balloon (11) and the outer balloon (12) are held together on their underside by connecting means (34).

18. Aircraft according to claim 17, characterised in that an additional balloon (31) is arranged in the inner balloon (11) and also attached on its underside to the latter.

19. Unmanned aircraft for telecommunications or other scientific purposes, to be stationed at a predetermined altitude, in particular in the stratosphere, with an outer balloon (12) having an aerodynamic outer form and a gas-filled balloon (11) arranged inside this, supporting a platform (10), and also means for maintaining the position of the platform with respect to the earth, characterised in that the platform (10) is connected by a connecting element (30) with the underside of the outer balloon (12).

20. Aircraft according to claim 19, characterised in that the platform (10) is articulated with the outer balloon (12) and detachable from this outer balloon by a coupling.