SELF-SUSTAINING DRONE AIRCRAFT FREIGHT AND OBSERVATION SYSTEM

• US 20140110527A1
• Filed: 06/17/2011
• Published: 04/24/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 06/17/2011
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Robert L. Sing
• Original Assignee: Robert L. Sing
• Inventors: Sing, Robert L.
• Application Number:
  US14/126,846
• Publication Number:
  US 20140110527A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 244/118.1
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 39/024 of the remote controlled vehicle type, i.e. RPV
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 9/00 Equipment for handling freight; Equipment for facilitating passenger embarkation or the like emergency equipment B64D17/00, B64D19/00, B64D25/00; structures integral with fuselage to facilitate loading, fuselage floors specially adapted for freight, steps mounted on and retractable within aircraft B64C; ground installations B64F
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 10/25 Fixed-wing aircraft VTOL aircraft B64U10/20
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 2101/60 for transporting passengers; for transporting goods other than weapons
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 2201/104 using satellite radio beacon positioning systems, e.g. GPS
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 30/10 Wings
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 50/12 using turbine engines, e.g. turbojets or turbofans
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 70/60 Take-off or landing of UAVs from a runway using their own power
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 70/70 Launching or landing using catapults, tracks or rails launching from storage containers B64U70/50

Abstract

The self-sustaining drone aircraft freight and observation system (5) comprises a fleet of jet-powered drone aircraft (10) designed to carry freight (12) only. The drones (10) operate from a separate airfield in outlying areas to decrease land costs and to avoid disturbing residential and business areas. Navigation is automated using guidance from GPS satellites (16), and the aircraft (10) can be assisted by a hydraulic catapult (13) during takeoff to reduce the fuel payload. The observation component (18) includes sensors that can observe weather conditions and emergency signals from boats, ships and other sources. The system (5) may include a large-scale energy production center and multi-acre vegetable, herb and flower production center (26). The energy production center includes solar panels (30), fuel cells (38), and batteries (44). Thus, the system (5) does not need to be connected to the public utility electrical grid.

Claims

1. A self-sustaining drone aircraft freight and observation system, comprising:

at least one drone aircraft having fixed landing gear, no windows, and a ramp for cargo carrying capability;

means for launching and retrieving the at least one drone aircraft in a remote area;

means for automatically navigating the at least one drone aircraft; and

means for producing energy required for launching, sustaining flight and retrieving the at least one drone aircraft.

2. The self-sustaining drone aircraft freight and observation system according to claim 1, further comprising means for observing weather conditions and emergency signals from boats, ships and other sources.

3. The self-sustaining drone aircraft freight and observation system according to claim 1, wherein said means for launching and retrieving said at least one drone aircraft in a remote area comprises means for assisting take-off of said drone aircraft, thereby reducing on-board fuel requirements of said at least one drone aircraft.

4. The self-sustaining drone aircraft freight and observation system according to claim 1, wherein said means for producing energy required for launching, sustaining flight, and retrieving said at least one drone aircraft further comprises means for distributing an excess of energy produced by said means for producing energy to locations remote from a site of the self-sustaining drone aircraft freight and observation system.

5. The self-sustaining drone aircraft freight and observation system according to claim 1, wherein said means for producing energy required for launching, sustaining flight and retrieving said at least one drone aircraft further comprises means for producing vegetables, fruits, herbs and flowers for distribution to locations remote from a site of the self-sustaining drone aircraft freight and observation system.

6. The self-sustaining drone aircraft freight and observation system according to claim 5, wherein said means for producing vegetables, fruits, herbs and flowers further comprises at least one water well providing water for growing the vegetables, fruits, herbs and flowers.