Fuel Cell Drone with Structural Hollow Frame as Fuel Storage

Simple SummaryContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

This patent describes a drone powered by a fuel cell system. The drone features at least one electric motor and a rotor, with energy supplied by a fuel cell unit that is directly connected or connected via a battery. The invention's main novelty is the fuel storage, which is designed as a hollow structure shaped either as a frame or a sleeve, improving the integration and efficiency of storing fuel for the fuel cell.

Use CasesContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Commercial and industrial drone delivery services needing longer flight times
• Surveillance or inspection drones for infrastructure (e.g., pipelines, power lines) requiring extended operation without frequent recharging
• Emergency response or search and rescue operations in remote areas
• Agricultural drones employed for precision farming and large-scale monitoring
• Environmental monitoring or mapping projects in areas without access to charging facilities

BenefitsContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Extended flight time compared to conventional battery-only drones due to more efficient fuel storage and supply
• Reduced downtime for recharging, increasing operational availability
• Potential for lighter designs or better weight distribution, enhancing flight performance
• Lower environmental impact if hydrogen or clean fuels are used in the fuel cell
• Improved integration and safety of fuel storage within the drone’s structure

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Patent Abstract

The present invention relates to a drone comprising at least one electric motor, at least one rotor driven by the at least one electric motor, a fuel cell unit coupled directly or via a battery to the at least one electric motor, and a fuel storage coupled to the fuel cell unit. It is the object of the present invention to provide an improved fuel cell-powered drone. This object is achieved by a drone of the generic type, wherein the fuel storage is designed as a frame-shaped or sleeve-shaped hollow structure.