Power line sentry charging

• US 7,318,564 B1
• Filed: 06/24/2005
• Issued: 01/15/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 10/04/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Air Force
• Original Assignee: United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Air Force
• Inventors: Marshall, Patrick T.
• Primary Examiner(s): Luu; Teri Pham
• Assistant Examiner(s): MICHENER, JOSHUA J
• Application Number:
  US11/169,260
• Time in Patent Office: 935 Days
• Field of Search: 244 53 R- 53 B, 244/110.C, 244/110.E, 244/110.F, 244/110.G, 244/1.R, 244/100.R, 244/110.R, 191/10, 320/108, 320/109
• US Class Current: 244/58
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2200/10 Air crafts
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/11 DC charging controlled by the charging station, e.g. mode 4
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/80 Exchanging energy storage elements, e.g. removable batteries
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 39/024 of the remote controlled vehicle type, i.e. RPV
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 10/25 Fixed-wing aircraft VTOL aircraft B64U10/20
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 2101/30 for imaging, photography or videography
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 2101/31 for surveillance
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 30/20 Rotors; Rotor supports
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 50/13 using external fans or propellers
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 50/19 using electrically powered motors
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 50/37 Charging when not in flight
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/70 Energy storage systems for electromobility, e.g. batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/7072 Electromobility specific charging systems or methods for batteries, ultracapacitors, supercapacitors or double-layer capacitors
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/12 Electric charging stations
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/14 Plug-in electric vehicles

Abstract

A surveillance aircraft recharging system based on energy collection by magnetic induction from the current flowing in a randomly selected alternating current transmission line conductor. The charging energy originates in the magnetic field surrounding the current carrying conductor and is obtained by way of a laminated magnetic circuit surrounding the current carrying conductor and disposable in both an open and transmission line receiving state and a closed and energy collecting state upon command. Latching of the magnetic structure into a condition providing physical suspension stability for the host aircraft as well as an efficient magnetic circuit are provided. Latching of the magnetic structure includes a docking aircraft kinetic energy storage sequence assisting in aircraft deceleration and also providing saved energy useful during an undocking sequence.

Claims

1. A sub-human sized aircraft comprising:

an electrical apparatus for collecting aircraft propulsion electrical energy from an opportune energize alternating current transmission line conductor, said electrical apparatus comprising;

a magnetic core member having a movable link portion disposable in a magnetically open core position and a magnetically closed core position, said magnetic core member being mounted on a salient portion of said aircraft in a position of convenient opened core position engagement with said transmission line conductor during an aircraft approach and parking sequence;

a movable core link operating apparatus connected with said magnetic core movable link portion and responsive to an open core and a closed core electrical control signal;

a sensor apparatus received on said aircraft for determining proximity of said aircraft to said energized alternating current transmission line conductor; and

a control apparatus responsive to said sensor apparatus and enabling movement of said core link operating apparatus attending transmission line docking and undocking maneuvers.

2. The sub-human sized aircraft of claim 1 wherein said collected electrical energy is magnitude responsive to an electrical current flow magnitude in said opportune energized alternating current transmission line conductor.

3. The sub-human sized aircraft of claim 1 wherein said magnetic core member and said movable link portion each include flat faced abutment portions.

4. The sub-human sized aircraft of claim 1 wherein said magnetic core member and said movable link portion each include interleaved lamination movable magnetic circuit portions.

5. The sub-human sized aircraft of claim 1 wherein said opportune energized alternating current transmission line conductor is located in hostile territory.

6. The sub-human sized aircraft of claim 1 wherein said control apparatus is responsive to one of a signal originating within said aircraft and a ground based control signal.

7. The sub-human sized aircraft of claim 1 wherein said movable core link operating apparatus includes an electrical solenoid element.

8. The sub-human sized aircraft of claim 1 wherein said movable core link operating apparatus includes a docking and undocking energy exchanging spring loaded latch apparatus.

9. The sub-human sized aircraft of claim 1 wherein said sensor apparatus received on said aircraft for determining proximity of said aircraft to said energized alternating current transmission line conductor includes one of a camera member and a Gauss sensor member.

10. The sub-human sized aircraft of claim 1 wherein said sensor apparatus received on said aircraft for determining proximity of said aircraft to said energized alternating current transmission line conductor includes a kinetic energy to potential energy converting resilient member.

11. The sub-human sized aircraft of claim 1 wherein said electrical apparatus further includes a rechargeable electrical battery energized by said aircraft propulsion electrical energy.