An energy efficient and lighter-than-air high altitude platform (HAP) is disclosed that allows for sustained station keeping at high altitudes of about 50,000-80,000 feet for prolonged periods of time. The HAP includes an aerodynamically streamlined body that may have the topology of a torus. The body may be inflated with a lighter-than-air gas in an amount sufficient to provide lift to the high altitudes. The HAP has a duct extending through the pressurized body that diverts flow through the duct and reduces aerodynamic drag. The HAP may include one or more propellers situated in the duct to provide propulsion and maintain a given location of the HAP relative to ground. There may also be a control system, a solar energy collection system, an energy storage system, and/or any of a variety of payloads to accomplish various tasks, such as communication and/or situational awareness applications.

An energy efficient and lighter-than-air high altitude platform (HAP) is disclosed that allows for sustained station keeping at high altitudes of about 50,000-80,000 feet for prolonged periods of time. The HAP includes an aerodynamically streamlined body that may have the topology of a torus. The body may be inflated with a lighter-than-air gas in an amount sufficient to provide lift to the high altitudes. The HAP has a duct extending through the pressurized body that diverts flow through the duct and reduces aerodynamic drag. The HAP may include one or more propellers situated in the duct to provide propulsion and maintain a given location of the HAP relative to ground. There may also be a control system, a solar energy collection system, an energy storage system, and/or any of a variety of payloads to accomplish various tasks, such as communication and/or situational awareness applications.

One embodiment of a propulsion system for omnidirectional maneuverability and efficient forward flight of an airship comprising only fixed, unidirectional engines (17, 19, 20). The thrust vectors of the fixed engines (19, 20) are oriented in a way that their speeds can be chosen such that all forces acting on the airship (i.e., engine thrusts, gravity, buoyancy, wind and potentially others) are together resulting in the desired motion. In one embodiment these are four ducted fans (17) at the bow and four ducted fans (19) at the stern of the aircraft. Their thrust vectors can be decomposed into three vectors of equal length that are each parallel to one of the three axis of a cartesian coordinate system like defined in FIG. 8. In one embodiment efficient forward flight is achieved by an additional engine (20) at the stern of the airship.

One embodiment of a propulsion system for omnidirectional maneuverability and efficient forward flight of an airship comprising only fixed, unidirectional engines (17, 19, 20). The thrust vectors of the fixed engines (19, 20) are oriented in a way that their speeds can be chosen such that all forces acting on the airship (i.e., engine thrusts, gravity, buoyancy, wind and potentially others) are together resulting in the desired motion. In one embodiment these are four ducted fans (17) at the bow and four ducted fans (19) at the stern of the aircraft. Their thrust vectors can be decomposed into three vectors of equal length that are each parallel to one of the three axis of a cartesian coordinate system like defined in FIG. 8. In one embodiment efficient forward flight is achieved by an additional engine (20) at the stern of the airship.

To record an interesting image. An information processing apparatus includes an imaging unit and a control unit. The imaging unit is provided at a flight vehicle which moves in air by utilizing gas lighter than air and is configured to image a subject to generate image data. The control unit is configured to perform control movement of the flight vehicle on the basis of at least one of information relating to the flight vehicle and information of surroundings of the flight vehicle, and to perform control to record the image data generated by the imaging unit.

To record an interesting image. An information processing apparatus includes an imaging unit and a control unit. The imaging unit is provided at a flight vehicle which moves in air by utilizing gas lighter than air and is configured to image a subject to generate image data. The control unit is configured to perform control movement of the flight vehicle on the basis of at least one of information relating to the flight vehicle and information of surroundings of the flight vehicle, and to perform control to record the image data generated by the imaging unit.

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. In other embodiments of the invention, the airship of the present invention can be used to dramatically reduce the cost of transportation of freight, the cost of passenger transportation, and to save on the area required for landing at the points of loading/unloading and embarkation/debarkation. And in another embodiment, the airship of the present invention can be used for transporting water and food to areas where needed. In another embodiment, the ship can be equipped with solar cells.

A remote controlled lighter-than-air drone assembly that is capable of prolonged flight. The drone assembly utilizes a balloon structure. Separately, a reservoir is provided for holding a smaller second volume of gas. A propulsion system and a control unit are carried by the balloon structure. The control unit selectively transfers the gas from the reservoir to the balloon structure, and selectively vents the gas as needed. A receiver is used to receive command signals from an external source. The command signals are utilized to operate the propulsion system. An electronics suite is provided that can be altered depending upon duties. The electronics suite is used to scan or otherwise monitor an area below the drone assembly. In flight, the balloon structure is translucent and internally illuminated. A projector can be provided for projecting images onto the interior of the balloon structure.

A flying robot (10) with projector, including a movable end (100) and a fixed end (200). A distributed working mode is used on the movable end (100) and the fixed end (200). The movable end (100) includes a top (110), a main body (120) and a bottom (130). The top (110) includes a lift system (112) and one or more proximity sensors (114); the main body (120) is a sealed hollow spherical body or spheroid body made of a film material capable of being used as a rear projection screen, and is filled with a gas of which the density is less than that of the air. The bottom (130) includes one or more rear projectors (131), a wireless communication module (132), a microcontroller (133), a battery (134), a direction and steering controlling device (135), a camera device (136), a sound capturing and reproduction device (137), a height sensor (138) and other sensors, etc. The fixed end (200) includes a wireless communication module (220), a control apparatus (240), a charging port (260), and other data interfaces, etc. The flying robot (10) with projector according to the present invention facilitates human-machine interaction and is suitable for being used in both indoor and outdoor environments.

A flying robot (10) with projector, including a movable end (100) and a fixed end (200). A distributed working mode is used on the movable end (100) and the fixed end (200). The movable end (100) includes a top (110), a main body (120) and a bottom (130). The top (110) includes a lift system (112) and one or more proximity sensors (114); the main body (120) is a sealed hollow spherical body or spheroid body made of a film material capable of being used as a rear projection screen, and is filled with a gas of which the density is less than that of the air. The bottom (130) includes one or more rear projectors (131), a wireless communication module (132), a microcontroller (133), a battery (134), a direction and steering controlling device (135), a camera device (136), a sound capturing and reproduction device (137), a height sensor (138) and other sensors, etc. The fixed end (200) includes a wireless communication module (220), a control apparatus (240), a charging port (260), and other data interfaces, etc. The flying robot (10) with projector according to the present invention facilitates human-machine interaction and is suitable for being used in both indoor and outdoor environments.