US 12,459,668 B2
System and method for providing electrical power to a tethered aerial vehicle
Randall Bostick, Aldie, VA (US)
Assigned to PEGAPOD LLC, Chantilly, VA (US)
Filed by PEGAPOD LLC, Chantilly, VA (US)
Filed on May 17, 2024, as Appl. No. 18/667,684.
Application 18/667,684 is a continuation of application No. 17/812,963, filed on Jul. 15, 2022, granted, now 11,987,387.
Application 17/812,963 is a continuation of application No. 17/541,649, filed on Dec. 3, 2021, granted, now 11,420,771, issued on Aug. 23, 2022.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/149,660, filed on Feb. 15, 2021.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/121,938, filed on Dec. 6, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2024/0300669 A1, Sep. 12, 2024
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. B64F 3/02 (2006.01); B64C 39/02 (2023.01); B64D 47/02 (2006.01); B64U 10/60 (2023.01); B64U 10/13 (2023.01); B64U 20/80 (2023.01); B64U 50/30 (2023.01)
CPC B64F 3/02 (2013.01) [B64C 39/022 (2013.01); B64D 47/02 (2013.01); B64U 10/60 (2023.01); B64C 39/024 (2013.01); B64U 10/13 (2023.01); B64U 20/80 (2023.01); B64U 50/30 (2023.01); B64U 2201/202 (2023.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An aerial vehicle electrical power system comprising:
an aerial vehicle;
a plurality of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) carried by the aerial vehicle;
a propulsion and control system of the aerial vehicle;
at least one electrical circuit carried by the aerial vehicle, wherein the at least one electrical circuit has a DC buck converter electrically in series with at least a portion of the plurality of LEDs;
at least one amperage boost regulator electrically in parallel with the DC buck converter, wherein the amperage boost regulator comprises an additional LED; and
a tether connected between the aerial vehicle and a power source positioned remote from the aerial vehicle, wherein electrical power is transmitted to the aerial vehicle and at least a portion of the plurality of LEDs through the tether, wherein when a voltage received through the tether across the DC buck converter approaches a maximum input voltage of the DC buck converter, the amperage boost regulator draws greater amperage thereby causing a voltage drop, wherein an input voltage remains below the maximum voltage level of the DC buck converter to allow the DC buck converter to maintain power priority over the amperage boost regulator.