Buoyancy-assisted UAV having electric-field actuated generator for powering electrical load within vicinity of powerlines

Abstract

A UAV in which electric power is generated for an electric load from differentials in electric field strengths within a vicinity of powerlines includes: a plurality of electrodes separated and electrically insulated from one another for enabling differentials in voltage resulting from differentials in electric field strength experienced thereat; and electrical components electrically connected therewith and configurable to establish one or more electric circuits whereby voltage differentials causes a current to flow through the established electric circuit for powering an electric load. Preferably, the UAV includes a control assembly having one or more voltage-detector components configured to detect relative voltages of the electrodes; and a processor enabled to configure—based on the detected voltages and based on voltage and electric current specifications for powering the electric load—one or more of the electrical components to establish an electric circuit for powering the electric load.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION[0001]The present application is a continuation of, and claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 120 to, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16 / 162,681, incorporated herein by reference, which '681 application is a continuation-in-part of, and claims priority under § 120 to, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16 / 136,226, incorporated herein by reference, which '226 application is a continuation-in-part of, and claims priority under § 120 to, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16 / 134,909, incorporated herein by reference. Each of the present application, the '681 application, the '226 application, and the '909 application is a nonprovisional application of, and claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) to, each of the following provisional U.S. patent applications: 62 / 682,841; 62 / 682,842; 62 / 682,843; 62 / 682,845; 62 / 682,846; and 62 / 682,931. Each of the foregoing provisional U.S. patent applications is incorporated herein by reference. Any patent application publ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

Enables extended range and utility of UAVs by directly harnessing electric field differentials, allowing for flight along powerlines and efficient power generation for various electrical loads, improving performance and reducing reliance on traditional power sources.

Problems solved by technology

Chen acknowledges that in such known arrangements the range and usefulness of the UAV are limited by the amount of energy available from the battery.

Consequently, it is believed that a significant shortcoming of Chen is a failure to recognize and appreciate electric field strengths and interactions within the vicinity of powerlines.

Indeed, electric field topography in the vicinity of powerlines is complex and depends on a number of factors, including the number of conducting lines and their arrangement.

Electric field strengths within the vicinity of the powerlines of the exemplary towers are complex.

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