An aircraft, in particular a personal air mobility aircraft or a drone, having one or more annular propellers, with one or more blades extending radially from a rotor ring body towards the axis of the rotor ring, and one or more belt transmissions, which connect the rotor ring of each annular propeller with the output shaft of a motor unit including an electric motor. Various aircraft configurations include a vertical take-off and horizontal flight configuration. The aircraft surfaces are covered by groups of photovoltaic solar cells connected to a main battery pack for powering the electric motors that drive the annular propellers, and to an auxiliary electric battery for powering the on-board electrical circuit.

A manned or unmanned aircraft has a main body with a circular shape and a circular outer periphery. One or more rotor blades extend substantially horizontally outward from the main body at or about the circular outer periphery. In addition, one or more counter-rotation blades extend substantially horizontally outward from said main body at or about the circular outer periphery, but vertically offset from the main rotor blades.

A manned or unmanned aircraft has a main body with a circular shape and a circular outer periphery. One or more rotor blades extend substantially horizontally outward from the main body at or about the circular outer periphery. In addition, one or more counter-rotation blades extend substantially horizontally outward from said main body at or about the circular outer periphery, but vertically offset from the main rotor blades.

A manned or unmanned aircraft has a main body with a circular shape and a circular outer periphery. One or more rotor blades extend substantially horizontally outward from the main body at or about the circular outer periphery. In addition, one or more counter-rotation blades extend substantially horizontally outward from said main body at or about the circular outer periphery, but vertically offset from the main rotor blades.

A system for managing power of an aerial vehicle, the system including an aerial vehicle including a power storage module and at least one component, a computing device communicatively coupled to the aerial vehicle, the computing device including a processor and a memory storing instructions which, when executed by the processor, cause the computing device to receive data indicating a state of charge of the power storage module, receive data indicating a rate of power consumption of the at least one component, generate, based on at least one of the state of charge of the power storage module or the rate of power consumption of the at least one component, a power command, and transmit the power command to the aerial vehicle.

Systems and methods for managing power of an aerial vehicle, an illustrative system including an aerial vehicle including a power storage module and a plurality of components, and a computing device communicatively coupled to the aerial vehicle, the computing device including a processor and a memory storing instructions which, when executed by the processor, cause the computing device to receive data indicating a state of charge of the power storage module, receive data indicating a rate of power consumption of the plurality of components, receive a goal, generate, based on at least one of the state of charge of the power storage module, the rate of power consumption of the plurality of components, and the goal, a power command, and transmit the power command to the aerial vehicle.

The present disclosure relates to systems and methods for forecasting power usage of an aerial vehicle. An illustrative system includes an aerial vehicle including at least one component, and a computing device communicatively coupled to the aerial vehicle. The computing device includes a processor and a memory storing instructions which, when executed by the processor, cause the computing device to receive power consumption data corresponding to the at least one component, and generate a simulation model of power usage based on the power consumption data corresponding to the at least one component.

Methods of fabricating a solar cell assembly for streamlined bodies are provided. The solar cell assembly may be prepared on an assembly fixture. The solar cell assembly may then be removed from the assembly fixture and positioned on a top surface of the streamlined body. In examples, the solar cell assembly comprises a first film, an array of solar cells on top of the first film, and a second silicone film deposited over the solar cells.

The present invention is directed to a solar-powered aircraft comprising a fixed wing panel, a motor driven propeller, a plurality of secondary wing panels, and a tail assembly having a first tail panel and a second tail panel. Each secondary wing panel being configured to rotate about a first longitudinal pivot axis extending from a distal end of the fixed wing panel through a central transverse portion of the secondary wing panel. The secondary wing panels may comprise an array of solar panels on its surface. The first tail panel comprises a second array of solar panels located on a surface of the first tail panel, the first tail panel being configured to rotate about a second longitudinal pivot axis through a central transverse portion of the first tail panel.

A system for transporting hydrogen from where it can be economically made to where it is most needed using airships. Green technologies can be used to generate electricity near to the primary energy sources. This electricity can then be used to produce hydrogen directly from water. Hydrogen can be delivered using an airship in which the hydrogen gas can also be used for generating lift, providing propulsion energy and serving ancillary needs. The ship can be equipped with solar cells that generate electricity that can be used to make hydrogen from water, and can be used to power the ship's propulsion system.