Lighter-than-air vehicle for shading

摘要

The lighter-than-air vehicle for shading is an airborne, movable system that provides shade from the sun for an open area. The vehicle is a substantially flat flying device having upper and lower surfaces, and which is filled with a lighter-than-air gas or gases, such as helium or hydrogen. The vehicle may be tethered to the ground through control wires, or may be fully autonomous and controlled by propeller fans. The required power may be provided by wire from ground, or through a portable power source, such as solar cells, mounted atop of vehicle. The vehicle has sun sensors that allow it to track the sun, and provides around the clock shaded area underneath its surface. The vehicle can also have pressure sensors and altitude sensors that may trigger an alarm in case of an emergency descent to the ground.

主权项

1. A lighter-than-air vehicle for shading, comprising:
a discoidal body having substantially flat upper and lower surfaces; at least one chamber disposed within the discoidal body; at least one propeller motor disposed on the discoidal body, the propeller motor providing thrust for vehicle navigation; means for selectively tilting the discoidal body with respect to horizontal; and lighter-than-air gas disposed within the at least one chamber, the lighter-than-air gas providing the discoidal body with sufficient buoyancy to elevate the discoidal body aboveground in order to provide shade in a selected area from direct sunlight; and means for detecting a relative position of the sun with respect to the discoidal body; and means for automatically actuating the means for tilting in response to the means for detecting in order to provide a maximum surface area of shade.