HYBRID BALLOON-MULTICOPTER AND METHOD

Abstract

The embodiment described herein is a hybrid balloon-multicopter invention. In a similar manner to a multicopter, it incorporates anticlockwise and clockwise rotating rotors to support maneuverability in three dimensional space. However, unlike a multicopter, maneuverability is augmented by the lift force generated by a balloon filled with a lighter than air gas. Furthermore, to support extended day and night operation, one embodiment of the invention includes photovoltaic cells to convert solar energy to electric energy recharging a battery.

Claims

1. An invention comprising; a navigable balloon filled with a lighter than air gas; and a multicopter having motors wherein the speed of different combinations of said motors can be changed causing the balloon to yaw, pitch, roll and change position in three dimensional space.

2. The invention of claim 1 wherein the sum of all anticlockwise and clockwise moments is zero with respect to the fulcrum (at or near the center of gravity of the invention) when the speed of said motors is equal.

3. The invention of claim 1 having photovoltaic means.

4. The invention of claim 1 wherein either said balloon or said multicopter has utility, is removable and can be operated independently of the other.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0017] FIG. 1 is an isometric view of the invention according to one embodiment.

[0018] FIG. 2 is an exploded front view of the invention according to one embodiment.

[0019] FIG. 3 is a sectional top view through the center point of the invention according to one embodiment.

[0020] FIG. 4 is a sectional bottom view through the center point of the invention according to one embodiment.

[0021] FIG. 5 is a sectional top view through the center point of the invention according to one embodiment that does not include a structural element inside the outer surface of the balloon.

[0022] FIG. 6 is a sectional front view through the center point of the invention according to one embodiment that does not include a structural element inside the outer surface of the balloon.

[0023] FIG. 7 is a sectional front view through the center point of the invention showing the path of the solar rays to the photovoltaic means according to one embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0024] The drawings of FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 depict embodiments of the invention. The invention has a pair of rotors that rotate in the anticlockwise direction 1 and a pair of rotors that rotate in the clockwise direction 2. The rotors are connected to electric motors 3. The rotor blades are connected to each other and to the electric motors via cone shaped electric motor hubs 9 so as to reduce aerodynamic drag.

[0025] A multicopter of the quadcopter type yaws in one direction by increasing the speed of a diagonally opposite rotor pair and decreasing the speed of the other rotor pair. The device banks in one direction by increasing the speed of the left or right rotor pair and decreasing the speed of the other rotor pair. The device pitches in one direction by increasing the speed of the front or back rotor pair and decreasing the speed of the other rotor pair. Altitude is controlled by increasing or decreasing the speed of all rotors. Horizontal motion is achieved by first banking or pitching and then increasing the overall speed of all rotors.

[0026] Generally, the prefered configuration is four rotors and two diagonally opposite rotor pairs. However, according to one variation of the invention, a plurality of rotors numbering in excess of four exists. The variation of the invention may incorporate two rotor groups of three or four or more rotors. In a similar manner to the preferred configuration, the first rotor group may rotate anticlockwise and the second rotor group may rotate clockwise.

[0027] According to one variation of the invention, a first zone 5 of the balloon may be made of a transparent material and a second zone 4 of the balloon may be made of an opaque material with a reflective inner surface. The first zone 5 conducts solar rays 8. to the second zone 4. The second zone 4 functions as a solar energy concentrator to direct solar rays 8 to a photovoltaic means 7, The photovoltaic means 7 converts solar energy to electric energy. The electric energy may be used to charge a battery 6 to support extended day and night operation of the invention.

[0028] Generally, the preferred invention has a balloon of a spherical shape. However, according to one variation of the invention, the balloon has an ellipsoid shape FIG. 7. The geometry of the ellipsoid shape may be chosen to adjust the focal point and optimise the convergence of the solar rays 8 towards the photovoltaic means 7.

[0029] The position of the invention in three dimensional space may be controlled remotely via an RF antenna.

[0030] The position of the invention in three dimensional space may be determined by the combination of a global positioning system, an inertial reference system or the combination of the two.

[0031] The invention may operate in an autonomous mode without the need to be controlled remotely.

[0032] The invention, to provide additional rigidity to the mounting platform for the rotors, may include one or more structural elements 10 partially enveloped by the outer surface of the balloon. Alternatively, the invention may include one or more structural elements 11 connected to the outer surface of the balloon. To provide added structural rigidity, the structural elements may be connected to each other.