At least partially bouyant vehicle with movable solar panel assemblies
US6371409B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 22, 2000 |
| Grant date | Apr 16, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 22, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S136/292
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
The invention is at least a partially buoyant vehicle. In detail, the vehicle includes a gas-containing structure having an outer contoured surface. At least one solar panel assembly is mounted to the outer surface of gas-containing structure, the solar panel movable over a portion of the surface of gas-containing structure. A drive system is provided for moving the at least one solar panel assembly over the outer surface of the gas-containing structure. A track assembly mounted on the surface of the gas-containing structure for guiding the at least one solar panel assembly over the surface. Preferably the at least one solar panel assembly in the form of a flexible strip having first and second ends movable along the surface about the longitudinal axis of the vehicle.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.