Aspects of the technology relate to rotational electromechanical systems, in which data and or power are supplied to components while one part of the system is rotating relative to another part of the system. Repeated rotation may create strain on or otherwise cause the cables to intermittently or permanently fail. A helical cable management system is provided that enables full rotation to the extent permitted. One or more cables are wound in a helical shape around the axis of rotation, which distributes the deformation of the cable along the helical length. Rotation in one direction causes the helix diameter to increase, while rotation in the other direction causes the helix diameter to decrease. A structure is used to maintain the distance between helical turns, while permitting the increase and decrease of the helix diameter. This reduces the overall strain on the cables, which can significantly extend their useful lifetime.

The present invention relates a drone system for transporting liquid or gas from a remote area to a demand area. The drone system (100) includes: a transport pipe (10) for flowing the liquid or the gas; a pump device (201) for suppling the liquid or the gas to the transport pipe (10); a top drone (1) for holding a nozzle (11) coupled to a tip end of the transport pipe (10); a plurality of pump drones (6A, 6B), each of which incorporates a pump (40A, 40B); and a power supply unit (3) for suppling a power to the top drone (1) and the pump drones (6A, 6B) through power cables (5). Each of the pump drones (6A, 6B) has a coupling mechanism (35) for tiltably and rotatably coupling the pump (40A, 40B) to a pump drone body (30).

The present invention relates a drone system for transporting liquid or gas from a remote area to a demand area. The drone system (100) includes: a transport pipe (10) for flowing the liquid or the gas; a pump device (201) for suppling the liquid or the gas to the transport pipe (10); a top drone (1) for holding a nozzle (11) coupled to a tip end of the transport pipe (10); a plurality of pump drones (6A, 6B), each of which incorporates a pump (40A, 40B); and a power supply unit (3) for suppling a power to the top drone (1) and the pump drones (6A, 6B) through power cables (5). Each of the pump drones (6A, 6B) has a coupling mechanism (35) for tiltably and rotatably coupling the pump (40A, 40B) to a pump drone body (30).

Systems, methods, and computer program products for controlling a drone using a tether. A drone is coupled to a distal end of the tether, and a force sensor measures one or more force parameters exerted on the drone by the tether. The force parameters are in turn used to generate control parameters, and the control parameters provided to a flight controller. The flight controller generates one or more propulsion parameters based on the control parameters, and provides the propulsion parameters to respective propulsion units of the drone. The drone can thereby be controlled by manipulating a proximate end of the tether, which changes the force parameters measured by the force sensor.

Systems, methods, and computer program products for controlling a drone using a tether. A drone is coupled to a distal end of the tether, and a force sensor measures one or more force parameters exerted on the drone by the tether. The force parameters are in turn used to generate control parameters, and the control parameters provided to a flight controller. The flight controller generates one or more propulsion parameters based on the control parameters, and provides the propulsion parameters to respective propulsion units of the drone. The drone can thereby be controlled by manipulating a proximate end of the tether, which changes the force parameters measured by the force sensor.

Provided is a flight vehicle operating method including: mooring a flight vehicle to a mooring unit by a cable; reducing a weight of the flight vehicle, increasing the flotage of the flight vehicle, or increasing the flotage of the flight vehicle while reducing the weight of the flight vehicle, by using a first flotation adjuster; floating the flight vehicle at a suitable altitude in the air; increasing the weight of the flight vehicle, reducing the flotage of the flight vehicle, or reducing the flotage of the flight vehicle while increasing the weight of the flight vehicle, by using a second flotation adjuster or a propelling unit of the flight vehicle; and releasing the connection between the flight vehicle and the mooring unit and withdrawing the cable.

Provided is a flight vehicle operating method including: mooring a flight vehicle to a mooring unit by a cable; reducing a weight of the flight vehicle, increasing the flotage of the flight vehicle, or increasing the flotage of the flight vehicle while reducing the weight of the flight vehicle, by using a first flotation adjuster; floating the flight vehicle at a suitable altitude in the air; increasing the weight of the flight vehicle, reducing the flotage of the flight vehicle, or reducing the flotage of the flight vehicle while increasing the weight of the flight vehicle, by using a second flotation adjuster or a propelling unit of the flight vehicle; and releasing the connection between the flight vehicle and the mooring unit and withdrawing the cable.

An apparatus for permitting a flying vehicle to land on or take off therefrom whilst the apparatus is airborne, the apparatus including: a surface for supporting the flying vehicle during landing or when taking off; at least one propulsion device for sustaining flight of the apparatus and for positioning the surface in a desired landing or taking off orientation; and a link which is connectable at one end to a land- or sea-going vehicle, for tethering the apparatus relative thereto.

An apparatus for permitting a flying vehicle to land on or take off therefrom whilst the apparatus is airborne, the apparatus including: a surface for supporting the flying vehicle during landing or when taking off; at least one propulsion device for sustaining flight of the apparatus and for positioning the surface in a desired landing or taking off orientation; and a link which is connectable at one end to a land- or sea-going vehicle, for tethering the apparatus relative thereto.

Systems and methods are provided for powering and controlling flight of an unmanned aerial vehicle. The unmanned aerial vehicles can be used in a networked system under common control and operation and can be used for a variety of applications. Selected embodiments can operate while tethered to a portable control system. A high speed tether management system can be used to facilitate both mobile and static tethered operation. Modular components provide for both tethered and fully autonomous flight operations.