초록 ▼

A power transmission and imaging system for an airship comprises a transmission antenna array configured to transmit an energy beam to a patch rectenna carried by the airship. Coupled to the patch rectenna is a power distribution and control network that supplies rectified power delivered by the ene

A power transmission and imaging system for an airship comprises a transmission antenna array configured to transmit an energy beam to a patch rectenna carried by the airship. Coupled to the patch rectenna is a power distribution and control network that supplies rectified power delivered by the energy beam into the proper format for delivery to a power storage system and a motor control system. The power storage system comprises one or more batteries to store the transmitted energy, while the motor control system powers various propellers, blowers, and valves maintained by the airship in order to descend the airship to the ground. The rectenna may also function as an imaging system in real-time. The image processing system uses the patch rectenna to transmit and receive signals, and in turn store and process the return signals (images).

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. A power and imaging system for an airship, the system comprising: an airship; a power transmission system configured to transmit an energy beam; a patch rectenna carried by said airship, wherein said energy beam is transmitted to said patch rectenna so as to supply power to s

What is claimed is: 1. A power and imaging system for an airship, the system comprising: an airship; a power transmission system configured to transmit an energy beam; a patch rectenna carried by said airship, wherein said energy beam is transmitted to said patch rectenna so as to supply power to said airship; a power distribution and control network coupled to said patch rectenna such that when said energy beam is transmitted to said patch rectenna, said control network converts said energy beam into power for use by said airship; and a signal generator coupled to said power distribution and control network, wherein said signal generator and said control network is configured to generate imaging signals that are transmitted by said patch rectenna for a period of time, wherein any of said imaging signals returning to said patch rectenna are detected by said patch rectenna as image return signals when said signal generator is turned off. 2. The power transmission and imaging system of claim 1, further comprising: an airship transceiver coupled to said power distribution and control network, said airship transceiver generating a realignment feedback signal when the power received from said energy beam by said patch rectenna falls below a predetermined voltage threshold; and a ground transceiver coupled to said power transmission system configured to repoint the position of said transmitted energy beam on said patch rectenna in response to the receipt of said realignment feedback signal from said ground transceiver. 3. The power transmission and imaging system of claim 1, wherein said power transmission system comprises a field laser detection and ranging (LADAR) system. 4. The power transmission and imaging system of claim 1, wherein said power transmission system comprises a phased array antenna system that includes a plurality of transmission antenna elements. 5. The power transmission and imaging system of claim 4, wherein said transmission antenna elements comprise a plurality of planar wave antenna elements. 6. The power transmission and imaging system of claim 4, wherein each said transmission antenna element is configured to receive individual excitation signals. 7. The power transmission and imaging system of claim 6, wherein said excitation signals are in phase with each other, such that a main lobe of said energy beam is directed to said phased array antenna. 8. The power transmission and imaging system of claim 1, further comprising: an image memory coupled to said power distribution and control network, said image memory configured to store said image return signals. 9. The power transmission and imaging system of claim 8, wherein said power distribution and control network performs an analog to digital conversion of said image return signals stored at said image memory. 10. The power transmission and imaging system of claim 1, wherein said airship has an envelope formed from a flexible fabric, and wherein said patch rectenna is flexible and integrated into said fabric. 11. The power transmission and imaging system of claim 10, wherein said patch rectenna comprises a plurality of dipole antenna elements. 12. The power transmission and imaging system of claim 11, wherein said dipole antenna elements are comprised of nanofibers. 13. The power transmission and imaging system of claim 12, wherein said nanofibers are comprised of titanium. 14. The power transmission and imaging system of claim 11, further comprising: a matched filter coupled between said dipole antenna elements and said power distribution and control network. 15. The power transmission and imaging system of claim 14, further comprising: a power rectification network coupled between said matched filter and said power distribution and control network. 16. The power transmission and imaging system of claim 15, wherein said power rectification network comprises one or more MOSFETS. 17. The power transmission and imaging system of claim 15, wherein said matched filter and said power rectification network are integrated within said membrane. 18. The power transmission and imaging system of claim 17, wherein said envelope contains a lifting gas.