US 12,296,939 B2
Unmanned airships, aerostats, and hybrid airship-aerostat systems and methods thereof
Antonio Roberto White, Bedford, TX (US); and Jason Theodore White, Arlington, TX (US)
Assigned to Galaxy Unmanned Systems LLC, Arlington, TX (US)
Filed by Galaxy Unmanned Systems LLC, Arlington, TX (US)
Filed on May 18, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/198,931.
Application 18/198,931 is a continuation of application No. 17/477,052, filed on Sep. 16, 2021, granted, now 11,685,500.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/122,210, filed on Dec. 7, 2020.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/114,794, filed on Nov. 17, 2020.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/079,158, filed on Sep. 16, 2020.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/079,103, filed on Sep. 16, 2020.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/079,167, filed on Sep. 16, 2020.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/079,171, filed on Sep. 16, 2020.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/079,177, filed on Sep. 16, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2023/0286636 A1, Sep. 14, 2023
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. B64B 1/66 (2006.01); B64B 1/20 (2006.01); B64B 1/22 (2006.01); B64B 1/30 (2006.01); B64B 1/58 (2006.01)
CPC B64B 1/20 (2013.01) [B64B 1/22 (2013.01); B64B 1/30 (2013.01); B64B 1/58 (2013.01); B64B 1/66 (2013.01); B64B 2201/00 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A hybrid airship-aerostat comprising:
a hull;
a motor coupled to the hull configured to rotate between a thrust configuration and a lift configuration, the motor configured to generate a lift force, a thrust force, or a combination thereof;
a fin coupled to a tail of the hull, the fin configured to provide directional control of the hull;
a controller configured to operate the motor and the fin to pilot the hull;
a bridle system configured to removably couple to a first end of a tether; and
a mooring platform, the mooring platform comprising a pair of retaining arms configured to pivot between an open position and a grasping position, the pair of retaining arms configured to engage the hull in the grasping position.