Efficient aerostat navigation by moving between atmospheric layers
US9665103B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 9, 2015 |
| Grant date | May 30, 2017 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 9, 2035 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG05D1/042
- WIPO fieldControl
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An example computer-implemented method involves determining that an aerostat is located within a first atmospheric layer. A first wind-velocity measure is indicative of wind velocity in the first atmospheric layer. The method also involves determining an altitude of an atmospheric layer boundary between the first atmospheric layer and a second atmospheric layer. A second wind-velocity measure is indicative of wind velocity in the second atmospheric layer, and the second wind-velocity measure differs from the first wind-velocity measure by at least a threshold amount. The method further involves determining a desired location for the aerostat, and during at least a portion of a flight towards the desired location, causing the aerostat to traverse back and forth across the atmospheric layer boundary while remaining within a predetermined vertical distance from the atmospheric layer boundary in order to achieve a desired horizontal trajectory.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.