Microwave powered aircraft
First Claim
1. A microwave-powered aircraft, comprising:
- means for propelling the aircraft;
means defining lifting surfaces on the aircraft for exerting lifting forces on the aircraft in response to the propulsion of the aircraft;
means for receiving and rectifying microwave energy transmitted to the aircraft from a location remote from the aircraft;
the means for propelling the aircraft being operable in response to the microwave energy received by the microwave energy receiving and rectifying means; and
the microwave energy receiving and rectifying means comprising a rigid body of substantially circular plan form attached to the aircraft, the horizontal dimensions of the body being a substantial fraction of the aircraft wingspan and the body being relatively shallow with a periphery which is vertically curved so as to reduce turbulence in the airstream over the body during flight, and the body being separate from the lifting means and shaped to at least substantially avoid the generation of lifting forces by the body;
a plurality of downwardly-facing microwave antennas and associated rectifying elements at the underside of the body; and
microwave reflector means provided in the body above said microwave antenna for shielding a space located above said microwave reflector means and within the body from microwave radiation.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A microwave-powered aircraft has lifting surfaces for exerting lifting forces on the aircraft in response to the propulsion of the aircraft and a rectenna array for receiving and rectifying microwave energy transmitted to the aircraft from a location remote from the aircraft. An electric motor for driving a propeller is energized by microwave energy received by the rectenna array, which is provided in a body at the underside of the aircraft. The body has its major dimensions extending horizontally and is relatively shallow with a periphery which is vertically curved so as to reduce turbulence in the airstream over the body during flight. The body is separate from the lifting surfaces and shaped to at least substantially avoid the generation of lifting forces by the body.
46 Citations
16 Claims
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1. A microwave-powered aircraft, comprising:
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means for propelling the aircraft; means defining lifting surfaces on the aircraft for exerting lifting forces on the aircraft in response to the propulsion of the aircraft; means for receiving and rectifying microwave energy transmitted to the aircraft from a location remote from the aircraft; the means for propelling the aircraft being operable in response to the microwave energy received by the microwave energy receiving and rectifying means; and the microwave energy receiving and rectifying means comprising a rigid body of substantially circular plan form attached to the aircraft, the horizontal dimensions of the body being a substantial fraction of the aircraft wingspan and the body being relatively shallow with a periphery which is vertically curved so as to reduce turbulence in the airstream over the body during flight, and the body being separate from the lifting means and shaped to at least substantially avoid the generation of lifting forces by the body; a plurality of downwardly-facing microwave antennas and associated rectifying elements at the underside of the body; and microwave reflector means provided in the body above said microwave antenna for shielding a space located above said microwave reflector means and within the body from microwave radiation. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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Specification