Aerial delivery device

Abstract

An aerial device for delivery of hydrogen containers, having a supporting Balloon 1, which carries an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) 2, and a hydrogen container 3. The supporting balloon fillable with

Description

This invention relates to an aerial delivery device and in particular aerial device designed for the delivery of hydrogen containers using an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). Unmanned aerial vehicles, also known as drones, have a wide range of applications across various industries. One such application is as a delivery service, for example delivering packages and consumer items; or transporting urgent medical supplies and vaccines. However, the delivery of heavy and dangerous good such as hydrogen containers via unmanned aerial vehicles presents significant challenges in terms of payload capacity, control and safety. The present invention tackles those challenges by providing an unmanned aerial device for the delivery of hydrogen containers which has a supporting balloon and an explosive safety feature, the position of the device being controllable using a global positioning system (GPS). Supporting balloons for unmanned aerial devices are known, for example in US2019210723 and WO2024110115. However, those documents are not suitable for carrying hydrogen containers and specifically do not have an explosive safety feature. Accordingly, the present invention provides an aerial device for delivery of hydrogen containers, comprising a supporting balloon, which carries an unmanned aerial vehicle, a hydrogen container, a battery, and an explosive device, the supporting ballon fillable with a gas sufficient to maintain the device airborne, the position of the device being controllable using a global positioning system, and the explosive device adapted to be activated in the event of a failure of the unmanned aerial vehicle. The supporting balloon is fillable with a lighter-than-air gas such as helium or hydrogen, providing the necessary lift to keep the device airborne. The unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) is attached to the supporting balloon and is responsible for navigation and propulsion. The UAV may be a conventional drone or simply a controllable propeller system. The hydrogen container is also securely attached to the supporting balloon and is designed for safe transport and delivery of hydrogen gas. The UAV and the hydrogen container may each be attached to the supporting balloon by means of cables, for example made of steel or carbon fibre, or a aluminium tube. In one preferred embodiment, an aluminium tube is attached from the balloon, through the UAV to the hydrogen container. The battery provides power to the UAV and its control systems. Suitably, the device is also provided with one or more solar panels, to charge the battery, enhancing the device's energy efficiency and operational range. In a preferred embodiment, the solar panels re arranged in a network surrounding the supporting balloon. The global positioning system (GPS) allows for precise control of the device's position and navigation to the delivery destination. An explosive appliance is included to safely explode the balloon in the event of a failure of the UAV or the GPS, so that the hydrogen container is lowered to the ground, thereby preventing uncontrolled movement of the device. In order to detect any failure, a monitoring means may be attached to the hydrogen container. An embodiment of the present invention will now be described with 5 reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1 is a representation of a device of the present invention, in which a supporting balloon 1 carries an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) 2 and a hydrogen container 3. The UAV 2 and the hydrogen container 3 are connected to the balloon 1 by an aluminium tube 4, which passes through 10 the UAV 2. The UAV 2 contains a GPS system. Surrounding the ballon 1 is a network of solar panels 5, connected to a battery (not shown) for the UAV 2. The aluminium tube 4 also carries an explosive appliance 6, to safely explode the balloon in the event of a failure of the UAV or GPS. 15 The device shown in Fig 1 enables the transport and delivery of hydrogen containers.

Claims

1. An aerial device for delivery of hydrogen containers, comprising a supporting balloon, which carries an unmanned aerial vehicle, a hydrogen container, a battery, and an explosive device, the supporting balloon fillable 5 with a gas sufficient to maintain the device airborne, the position of the device being controllable using a global positioning system, and the explosive device adapted to be activated in the event of a failure of the unmanned aerial vehicle.

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