System and methods for mobile towing and lifting platforms
A mobile towing and lifting system and associated methods, comprising a retractable tug, coupled to an aerial vehicle, wherein the tug is configured to transfer electrical power and data to and from the aerial vehicle. The aerial vehicle may comprise an airship, multirotor aircraft, fixed wing aircraft, buoyant aircraft or a combination of the like. The mobile towing and lifting system may be applied to wireless charging, and aerial logistics applications.
1 . A mobile towing system, comprising:
an aerial vehicle;
a retractable tug, coupled to the aerial vehicle, wherein the tug is configured to transfer electrical power to and from the aerial vehicle;
a deployable structure, coupled to the aerial vehicle via the tug, wherein the deployable structure comprises an inflatable frame and a flexible material draped across the frame.
2 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the tug is configured to attach to a fluid source, and the tug is configured to transfer fluid to and from the aerial vehicle.
3 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the tug is configured to attach to an energy source, wherein electrical energy is transferred from the energy source to the aerial vehicle through the tug.
4 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the deployable structure is stored within the aerial vehicle.
5 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the aerial vehicle is an unmanned aircraft, wherein the tug is configured to couple to an energy source, wherein electrical energy is transferred from the energy source to the unmanned aircraft.
6 . The system of claim 5 , wherein the unmanned aircraft and the tug are configured to transceive energy wirelessly.
7 . The system of claim 5 , wherein electrical energy is transferred from the energy source to the unmanned aircraft wirelessly.
8 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the tug comprises a first end and a second end, and each end is coupled to an aerial vehicle.
9 . The system of claim 8 , wherein the first end of the tug is attached to an airship.
10 . The system of claim 8 , wherein the first end of the tug is attached to a first unmanned aircraft, and the second end of the tug is attached to a second unmanned aircraft.
11 . The system of claim 10 , wherein the first unmanned aircraft is configured to tow the second unmanned aircraft by applying a tensile force to the tug.
12 . The system of claim 11 , wherein the first unmanned aircraft is configured to tow the second unmanned aircraft in any translational direction.
13 . The system of claim 8 , wherein the first end of the tug is attached to an airship, and the second end of the tug is attached to an unmanned aircraft.
14 . The system of claim 13 , wherein the unmanned aircraft comprises a receiver, wherein the receiver is configured to receive wireless energy, convert the wireless energy to electrical energy, and transfer electrical energy to the airship through the tug.
15 . The system of claim 13 , wherein the unmanned aircraft is configured to tow the airship by applying a tensile force to the tug.
16 . The system of claim 15 , wherein the unmanned aircraft is configured to tow the airship in any translational direction.
17 . A method of mobile towing, the method comprising:
providing an aircraft comprising a retractable tug, the retractable tug comprising a retracted position and extended position, wherein the retractable tug is provided in the retracted position, wherein a deployable structure is coupled to the aircraft via the retractable tug, wherein the deployable structure comprises an inflatable frame and a flexible material draped across the frame;
placing the retractable tug in the extended position; and
connecting a towing payload to the retractable tug.
18 . The method of claim 17 , wherein the aircraft is provided at altitude.
19 . The method of claim 17 or 18 , further comprising:
placing the retractable tug in the retracted position after connecting the towing payload to the retractable tug.
20 . A method of mobile charging, the method comprising:
providing an aircraft comprising a retractable tug, the retractable tug comprising a retracted position and extended position, wherein the retractable tug is provided in the retracted position, wherein a deployable structure is coupled to the aircraft via the retractable tug, wherein the deployable structure comprises an inflatable frame and a flexible material draped across the frame;
placing the retractable tug in the extended position; and
connecting the retractable tug to a charging target.
21 . The method of claim 20 , wherein the aircraft is provided at altitude.
22 . The method of claim 20 or 21 , further comprising:
disconnecting the retracting tug from the charging target; and
placing the retractable tug in the retracted position.