Autophagous multifunction structure-power system
US8141822B2 · kind B2 · utility
2Cited by
8References
15Claims
0Family size
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 1, 2005 |
| Grant date | Mar 27, 2012 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 5, 2025 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02T50/60
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A vehicle including at least one bladder for containing a two-phase liquid-gas fuel at a predetermined pressure, with a bladder outlet arranged to releasing vapor fuel from the bladder. The fuel provides energy for propulsion of the vehicle, and the vapor pressure of the fuel provides initial structural integrity of the vehicle, by rigidizing and stiffening the beam assembly to resist inward buckling until the liquid fuel is expended. In an exemplary embodiment, the vehicle is an unmanned aerial vehicle. A combustion chamber and thermoelectric conversion module can generate electricity for a propeller and battery.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.