IP Library Granted Patent US 9,745,962
Granted Patent B2
US 9,745,962 · App. 14/202,979 · Granted Aug 29, 2017

Radiator configuration for a flying wind turbine that passively controls airflow

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,745,962
App. No.
14/202,979
Granted
Aug 29, 2017
Kind
B2
Abstract

Disclosed herein are systems for controlling the amount of airflow across a radiator within an aerial vehicle radiator duct. A rigid member of a moveable flow restrictor is rotatable between an open position and a closed position. While subject to a g-force less than a threshold value in a triggering direction, the rigid member is oriented in the open position and, while subject to a g-force greater than the threshold value in the triggering direction, the rigid member is oriented in the closed position. The amount of the airflow across the radiator while the rigid member is in the open position is different than the amount of the airflow across the radiator while the rigid member is in the closed position.

Claims (7)

1. A system comprising:

an aerial vehicle, wherein the aerial vehicle includes a radiator duct, and wherein the radiator duct comprises an airflow inlet, and internal cavity, and an airflow outlet;

a radiator located within the internal cavity of the radiator duct and subject to an airflow through the radiator duct; and

a moveable flow restrictor located at the airflow outlet, wherein the moveable flow restrictor comprises: (i) a rigid member, and (ii) a bearing, wherein the rigid member is coupled to the bearing, wherein the rigid member is rotatable via the bearing between an open position and a closed position, wherein the rigid member is oriented in the open position while subject to a g-force less than a threshold value in a triggering direction, and wherein the rigid member is oriented in the closed position while subject to a g-force greater than the threshold value in the triggering direction, wherein an amount of the airflow while the rigid member is in the open position is different than an amount of the airflow while the rigid member is in the closed position.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the bearing comprises a flexure bearing, wherein a portion of the flexure bearing is fixed to the aerial vehicle.

3. The system of claim 1 , wherein the bearing comprises a radial bearing, wherein the radial bearing rotates about a shaft fixed to the aerial vehicle.

4. The system of claim 1 , wherein the moveable flow restrictor is positioned at least partially inside the internal cavity of the radiator duct.

Assignments (5)
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE THE REMOVAL OF THE INCORRECTLY RECORDED APPLICATION NUMBERS 14/149802 AND 15/419313 PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL: 44144 FRAME: 1. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE CHANGE OF NAME. Recorded Mar 4, 2024
From: GOOGLE INC.
To: GOOGLE LLC
Reel/Frame 068092/0502 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 15, 2019
From: X DEVELOPMENT LLC
To: MAKANI TECHNOLOGIES LLC
Reel/Frame 048355/0016 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Oct 6, 2017
From: GOOGLE INC.
To: GOOGLE LLC
Reel/Frame 044144/0001 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Sep 1, 2016
From: GOOGLE INC.
To: X DEVELOPMENT LLC
Reel/Frame 039900/0610 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 14, 2014
From: VANDER LIND, DAMON
To: GOOGLE INC.
Reel/Frame 032437/0789 →