A system uses existing pipelines, e.g., natural gas, oil, etc., to transport hydrogen to one or more distribution points. The disclosed hydrogen distribution system enables use of water, sewer, storm drain and other existing pipelines for local distribution. Hydrogen is produced from an energy source at a producing location. A safety pipe is located inside an existing pipeline configured to carry a first product and a hydrogen delivery line, configured to carry hydrogen, is placed inside the safety pipe such that a channel is formed between an exterior of the hydrogen delivery line and an interior of the safety pipe. Hydrogen is injected into the hydrogen delivery line and a sweeper gas is injected into the channel to purge any hydrogen that might be leaking from the hydrogen delivery line.

A system uses existing pipelines, e.g., natural gas, oil, etc., to transport hydrogen to one or more distribution points. The disclosed hydrogen distribution system enables use of water, sewer, storm drain and other existing pipelines for local distribution. Hydrogen is produced from an energy source at a producing location. A safety pipe is located inside an existing pipeline configured to carry a first product and a hydrogen delivery line, configured to carry hydrogen, is placed inside the safety pipe such that a channel is formed between an exterior of the hydrogen delivery line and an interior of the safety pipe. Hydrogen is injected into the hydrogen delivery line and a sweeper gas is injected into the channel to purge any hydrogen that might be leaking from the hydrogen delivery line.

A system uses existing pipelines, e.g., natural gas, oil, etc., to transport hydrogen to one or more distribution points. The disclosed hydrogen distribution system enables use of water, sewer, storm drain and other existing pipelines for local distribution. Hydrogen is produced from an energy source at a producing location. A safety pipe is located inside an existing pipeline configured to carry a first product and a hydrogen delivery line, configured to carry hydrogen, is placed inside the safety pipe such that a channel is formed between an exterior of the hydrogen delivery line and an interior of the safety pipe. Hydrogen is injected into the hydrogen delivery line and a sweeper gas is injected into the channel to purge any hydrogen that might be leaking from the hydrogen delivery line.

An intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance system is disclosed including a ground station and one or more aerial vehicles. The aerial vehicles are autonomous systems capable of communicating intelligence data to the ground station and be used as part of a missile delivery package. A plurality of aerial vehicles can be configured to cast a wide net of reconnaissance over a large area on the ground including smaller overlapping reconnaissance areas provided by each of the plurality of the aerial vehicles.

The technology relates to techniques for drogue deployment for a lighter than air (LTA) vehicle descent. A drogue deployment system for an LTA vehicle descent can include a drogue comprising a drogue parachute coupled to a carrier. A spring can be configured to launch the drogue from a launch tube directed outward from an apex of the LTA vehicle in an acute angle from a horizontal plane. A core can be placed around the launch tube and placed around the spring, the core compressing the spring and holding the spring in a compressed state prior to deployment, and a riser can couple the carrier to the envelope of the LTA vehicle. In some cases, the drogue deployment system can comprise two or more drogues, wherein intervals between the two or more drogues can be selected such that horizontal components of drogue deployment forces approximately cancel out.

Aspects of the technology relate to lighter-than-air (LTA) high altitude platforms configured to operate in the stratosphere. Such platforms can generate operate for weeks, months or longer. Shaped envelope LTA platforms may support a payload that provides telecommunications and/or other services to remote regions around the world. The payload may be arranged with other components on a modular bus-type chassis. One or more components may be moveable along the chassis to change the pitch of the vehicle for more effective flight operation. The modular chassis may include a truss configuration assembled from one or more subunits. The subunits may be preassembled with different equipment packages. Trusses formed using sets of struts may have two or more struts terminating at one interconnection node. Node connection elements, such as compound dovetail interconnects, facilitate a reliable, repeatable and quick mounting method for structural interconnections, which can lead to faster assembly and disassembly times.

Aspects of the technology relate to lighter-than-air (LTA) high altitude platforms configured to operate in the stratosphere. Such platforms can generate operate for weeks, months or longer. Shaped envelope LTA platforms may support a payload that provides telecommunications and/or other services to remote regions around the world. The payload may be arranged with other components on a modular bus-type chassis. One or more components may be moveable along the chassis to change the pitch of the vehicle for more effective flight operation. The modular chassis may include a truss configuration assembled from one or more subunits. The subunits may be preassembled with different equipment packages. Trusses formed using sets of struts may have two or more struts terminating at one interconnection node. Node connection elements, such as compound dovetail interconnects, facilitate a reliable, repeatable and quick mounting method for structural interconnections, which can lead to faster assembly and disassembly times.

A system, method and apparatus to transport and distribute hydrogen, store energy at scale, and interconnect locations where large quantities of “green” hydrogen can be produced most advantageously, with cities, towns and rural communities where hydrogen is needed as a clean transportation fuel, industrial feedstock, power source, and for long-term storage of electrical power. A hydrogen distribution pipeline enables use of natural gas, oil and other existing pipelines to transport hydrogen to one or more distribution points; and in one embodiment, integrates a lighter-than-air airship to transport hydrogen between locations where pipelines don't exist or are impractical. The disclosed hydrogen distribution pipeline also enables use of water, sewer, storm drain and other existing pipelines for local distribution, thereby saving time and money, and reducing construction disruption to the local community, in establishing these infrastructure components necessary to the widespread use of hydrogen in helping address climate change.

An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) includes a UAV body including a first mounting member, a gimbal, and a plurality of stands. The gimbal includes a second mounting member connected to the first mounting member, and a gimbal body connected to the second mounting member. The plurality of stands are fixedly attached to the gimbal body and configured to rotate together with the gimbal body around a yaw axis of the gimbal body.

An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) includes a UAV body including a first mounting member, a gimbal, and a plurality of stands. The gimbal includes a second mounting member connected to the first mounting member, and a gimbal body connected to the second mounting member. The plurality of stands are fixedly attached to the gimbal body and configured to rotate together with the gimbal body around a yaw axis of the gimbal body.