Fueling station for unmaned arial vehicle of the vertical takeoff types

• US 20150123462A1
• Filed: 11/01/2013
• Published: 05/07/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 11/01/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Brian Kamradt
• Original Assignee: Brian Kamradt
• Inventors: Kamradt, Brian
• Granted Patent: US 9,815,684 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 307/9.1
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 39/024 of the remote controlled vehicle type, i.e. RPV
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 10/10 Rotorcrafts
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 2101/60 for transporting passengers; for transporting goods other than weapons
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 2201/10 autonomous, i.e. by navigating independently from ground or air stations, e.g. by using inertial navigation systems [INS]
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 50/34 In-flight charging photovoltaics B64U50/31
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 70/30 for capturing UAVs in flight by ground or sea-based arresting gear, e.g. by a cable or a net
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 70/90 Launching from or landing on platforms
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 2210/00089 Remote control means, e.g. by electromagnetic signals
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 7/02 for transferring liquids other than fuel or lubricants
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 7/0401 arrangements for automatically fuelling vehicles, i.e. without human intervention
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 7/78 Arrangements of storage tanks, reservoirs or pipe-lines
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 7/845 Trolleys or like movable supports

Abstract

An unmanned self-sustained fuel dispensing station for fuels of all sorts (gasoline, pesticides, water, fertilizers etc.) a tank, docking, and coupling system for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) of the vertical takeoff types. The station can be independent of public power and communication utilities and can operate by remote control without an on-site attendant. The preferred system has a central command center with a control computer in communication with a station control computer located at one or more satellite stations through a communications link. The station control computer can be controlled remotely by the command center. The station control computer programming has control over the activities of the station through an electrical generation subsystem with a solar array, battery bank, battery charger and standby generator; a fuel dispensing subsystem; a security subsystem with video cameras; a communications link and a status sensor subsystem.

Claims

1. An unmanned self-sustained fuel dispensing station for fuels of all sorts (gasoline, pesticides, water, fertilizers etc.) for (UAV) comprising:

at least one fuel storage tank holding fuel to be dispensed to vehicles.

a landing platform for (UAV) landing.

a docking, and coupling system.

at least one pump adapted to deliver fuel.

a piping system transmitting fuel from at least one fuel storage tank and fluidly connected to a pump.

at least one fuel coupling and dispensing system connected to a piping system.

a communications link.

a station control on-board computer with programming operably coupled to the communications link;

the pump controller, and all subsystem;

a remote command center with a control computer for remote monitoring and operating of the station and its subsystems.

a subsystem of tanks of all sizes that can be fitted to (UAV) of all sizes and has a coupling and docking system designed to couple to the preferred system.

2. An unmanned self-sustained fuel dispensing station as set forth in claim 1 wherein preferred system is transportable like a trailer.

3. An unmanned self-sustained fuel dispensing station as set forth in claim 1 wherein preferred system is permanently anchored to a foundation.

4. An unmanned self-sustained fuel dispensing station as set forth in claim 1 wherein preferred system is a motorized vehicle.

5. An unmanned self-sustained fuel dispensing station as set forth in claim 1 wherein preferred system is a self-propelled unmanned motorized vehicle that can be operate with an auto-steering guidance systems and remote control through a communications link to the command center or satellite station.

6. An unmanned self-sustained fuel dispensing station as set forth in claim 1 wherein preferred system said remote command center with computer is in communication with the said stations control computer and can be remotely controlled through a communications link.

7. An unmanned self-sustained fuel dispensing station as set forth in claim 1 wherein the preferred system uses an aerial guidance system based on a specific logic programming to help control the (UAV) and guide it to the fueling position.

8. An unmanned self-sustained fuel dispensing station as set forth in claim 1 wherein preferred system uses a mechanical fuel dispensing stem.

9. An unmanned self-sustained fuel dispensing station as set forth in claim 1 wherein preferred system uses sensors and guidance programs to locate, guide, and pull the (UAV) onto the fueling stem.

10. An unmanned self-sustained fuel dispensing station as set forth in claim 1 wherein preferred system uses a mechanical coupler to secure the vehicle while fluid transfer takes place.

11. An unmanned self-sustained fuel dispensing station as set forth in claim 1 wherein preferred system uses multiple onboard sensors to include GPS, weather, wind speed, temperature and proximity.

12. An unmanned self-sustained fuel dispensing station as set forth in claim 1 wherein said stations control computer will have control over the activities of the station and is powered through an electrical generation subsystem with a solar array, battery bank, battery charger and standby generator.

13. An unmanned self-sustained fuel dispensing station as set forth in claim 1 wherein preferred system has a security subsystem with video cameras and motion sensors;

14. An unmanned self-sustained fuel dispensing station as set forth in claim 1 wherein preferred system has a communications link and a status sensor subsystem.

15. An unmanned self-sustained fuel dispensing station as set forth in claim 1 wherein preferred system can service multiple vehicles.

16. An unmanned self-sustained fuel dispensing station as set forth in claim 1 wherein preferred system has fuel level sensors configured to determine the amount of fuel present in the fuel tanks and report the level to the station control computer.

17. An unmanned self-sustained fuel dispensing station as set forth in claim 1 wherein preferred system has a plurality of fuel sensors continuously monitoring secondary spaces around bulk storage tanks, pumps, and pipes to detect leaking, said sensors coupled to the station control computer.

18. An unmanned self-sustained fuel dispensing station as set forth in claim 1 wherein preferred systems renewable energy source comprises an array of solar cells.

19. An unmanned self-sustained fuel dispensing station as set forth in claim 1 wherein preferred system electrical demand is satisfied by electricity generated by the solar array first and then with the battery bank until the bank is almost depleted and then with the standby generator.

20. An unmanned self-sustained fuel dispensing station as set forth in claim 1 wherein preferred system has an electricity generation subsystem with a renewable electrical energy source, a battery bank, a battery charger and a standby generator;

21. An unmanned self-sustained fuel dispensing station as set forth in claim 1 wherein preferred system has a station control subsystem with a station control computer with programming operably coupled to the central control center through a communications link.

22. An unmanned self-sustained fuel dispensing station as set forth in claim 1 wherein said central control center can control the electricity generation subsystem and the fuel dispensing subsystem and station control subsystem remotely.

23. A system as recited in claim 13, further comprising a security subsystem controlled by the station control computer with a plurality of digital cameras and sensors detecting tampering with a fuel dispenser or station control subsystem.

24. A system as recited in claim 20, wherein said electrical generation subsystem is controlled by the station control computer to provide all electricity produced by the solar array to satisfy the station demand and any excess electricity to charge the batteries of the battery bank.

25. A system as recited in claim 20, wherein said electrical generation subsystem is controlled by the station control computer to charge the battery bank with electricity produced by the standby generator when an overall charge of the battery bank is low in capacity.

26. A system as recited in claim 20, further comprising a status sensor subsystem with fuel level sensors, electricity production sensors, electricity consumption sensors, and security sensors controlled by the station control computer and automatically monitored by a central control center computer through the communications link.

27. A method of electrical power production and management, comprising:

controlling a system of a solar array, electrical storage bank, and standby generator configured to supply electricity to a user with a controller;

charging the electrical storage bank with the solar array;

supplying the aerial vehicles electrical demands with the solar array;

supplying aerial vehicles electrical demands in excess of production by the solar array with the electrical storage bank;

supplying electrical demands of the (UAV) with the standby generator when (UAV) demand exceeds the production by the solar array and the electrical storage bank capacity is below a preset limit; and

re-charging said electrical storage bank with the standby generator and the solar array;

wherein the electrical demands of the (UAV) are first satisfied with the solar array, the electrical storage bank and then the standby generator.

28. A method as recited in claim 27, further comprising:

re-charging the electrical storage bank with electricity from a public utility until the electrical storage bank capacity is above a preset limit while the electrical demands are supplied with the standby generator.

29. A method as recited in claim 27, further comprising:

supplying electrical demands of an (UAV) with electricity from a public utility when the demand exceeds the production by the solar array and the electrical storage bank capacity is below a preset limit; and

re-charging the electrical storage bank with electricity from a public utility until the electrical storage bank capacity is above a preset limit.

30. A method as recited in claim 29, wherein said public utility re-charges the electrical storage bank until its capacity is above a pre-determined level and the electrical demand is below the production of the solar array.