Solar-powered aircraft

a solar energy and aircraft technology, applied in the field of aviation, can solve the problems of limited time an aircraft can remain aloft, limited fuel supply, and light-than-air aircraft still cannot remain aloft indefinitely, and achieve the effect of convenient us
US20080185475A1Inactive Publication Date: 2008-08-07FULLER HOWARD J
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Patent Information

Authority / Receiving Office
US · United States
Patent Type
Applications(United States)
Current Assignee / Owner
FULLER HOWARD J
Publication Date
2008-08-07
Estimated Expiration
Not applicable · inactive patent

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Abstract

A solar-powered aircraft uses solar energy to electrolyze on-board water to produce hydrogen. The hydrogen fills various on-board tanks, causing the aircraft to become lighter than air. The hydrogen is also used to operate a fuel cell which provides power for electrical equipment, including a motor for turning a propeller. Water produced as waste by the fuel cell is recycled for use in the production of hydrogen. When hydrogen is removed from the tanks, either because it is consumed by the fuel cell or because it is compressed and pumped out of the tanks, air returns to the tanks, and the aircraft becomes heavier than air. The aircraft can thus be made to climb and descend by making it lighter than air, or heavier than air. The aircraft emits no harmful substances into the environment. The aircraft can remain aloft indefinitely, limited only by an insignificant amount of leakage of hydrogen and water.
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Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO PRIOR APPLICATION

[0001] This is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11 / 202,722, filed Aug. 12, 2005.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates to the field of aviation, and provides a solar-powered aircraft which is lighter than air at certain times, and heavier than air at other times.

[0003] A conventional, heavier-than-air aircraft requires a source of energy to stay aloft. The amount of time an aircraft can remain aloft is limited by the amount of fuel on-board.

[0004] A lighter-than-air aircraft carries a gaseous lifting medium, such as hydrogen or helium, to maintain buoyancy, as well as some fuel to power a propeller or other means for directing the aircraft along a desired flight path. The gaseous medium is eventually consumed, as it becomes necessary to vent the gas in order to descend. Moreover, the supply of fuel is also limited. Thus, a lighter-than-air aircraft still cannot remain aloft indefinitely.

[0005] The present inve...

Claims

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