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公开(公告)号：US09665103B1
公开(公告)日：2017-05-30
申请号：US14963651
申请日：2015-12-09
Applicant: X Development LLC
Inventor： Keith Allen Bonawitz , Johan Mathe
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.
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公开(公告)号：US20180067499A1
公开(公告)日：2018-03-08
申请号：US15802869
申请日：2017-11-03
Applicant: X Development LLC
Inventor： Keith Allen Bonawitz , Johan Mathe
CPC classification number: B64B1/40 , B64B1/44 , B64B1/60 , G01W1/00 , G01W1/08 , G05D1/104 , G05D1/105 , G08G5/0013 , G08G5/0026 , G08G5/0039 , G08G5/0069 , G08G5/0082 , G08G5/0091
Abstract: Example implementations may relate to selection between a first mode and a second mode. The first mode may involve (i) directing an aerial vehicle (e.g., in an aerial network including a plurality of aerial vehicles) to navigate to each of a plurality of altitudes and (ii) determining respective wind-related data at each respective altitude. Whereas, the second mode may involve (i) selecting at least one altitude based on the determined wind-related data and (ii) directing the aerial vehicle to reposition to the at least one selected altitude. As such, a control system may determine flight data for the aerial vehicle. Based on the flight data, the control system may make a selection between the first mode and the second mode. And based on the selection, the control system may then operate the aerial vehicle according to the first mode or may operate the aerial vehicle according to the second mode.
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公开(公告)号：US09836063B1
公开(公告)日：2017-12-05
申请号：US14962180
申请日：2015-12-08
Applicant: X Development LLC
Inventor： Keith Allen Bonawitz , Johan Mathe
CPC classification number: B64B1/40 , G01W1/00 , G01W1/08 , G05D1/104 , G05D1/105 , G08G5/0013 , G08G5/0026 , G08G5/0039 , G08G5/0069 , G08G5/0082 , G08G5/0091
Abstract: Example implementations may relate to selection between a first mode and a second mode. The first mode may involve (i) directing an aerial vehicle (e.g., in an aerial network including a plurality of aerial vehicles) to navigate to each of a plurality of altitudes and (ii) determining respective wind-related data at each respective altitude. Whereas, the second mode may involve (i) selecting at least one altitude based on the determined wind-related data and (ii) directing the aerial vehicle to reposition to the at least one selected altitude. As such, a control system may determine flight data for the aerial vehicle. Based on the flight data, the control system may make a selection between the first mode and the second mode. And based on the selection, the control system may then operate the aerial vehicle according to the first mode or may operate the aerial vehicle according to the second mode.
