Patent ID: 9035475
Filing Date: 2015-05-19
Classification: B64C,F03D,F42B,F42C,G01W,H02J,Y02E

Abstract:
1. A method comprising the steps of: providing an air-dropped device comprising a mission section, a rotational shaft extending outwardly from the mission section and a pinwheel mounted on the shaft entirely external to the mission section; dropping the air-dropped device through air to cause the pinwheel to rotate; converting kinetic energy of the rotating pinwheel into electrical energy; and using the electrical energy to power the mission section so that the mission section has power to perform at least part of a mission that the mission section is configured to perform; wherein the mission section has a front end and a back end; a plurality of fins are mounted to the mission section and extend rearward beyond the back end of the mission section; and the pinwheel includes a plurality of fan blades connected to the shaft rearward of the fins.