Patent ID: 12207713

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description illustrates the technology by way of example, not by way of limitation of the principles of the invention. This description will enable one skilled in the art to make and use the technology, and describes several embodiments, adaptations, variations, alternatives and uses of the invention, including what is presently believed to be the best mode of carrying out the invention. One skilled in the art will recognize alternative variations and arrangements, and the present invention is not limited to those embodiments described hereafter.

Referring first toFIGS.1-3, a sunshade device10is a generally circular canopy20having lifting devices40in a center portion26of canopy20. In the embodiment shown inFIG.4, a sunshade device110is a generally circular canopy120having a plurality of extending canopy arms121.

Sunshade device10and110are used to shade a portion of landscape containing a forest or a glacier, cooling the local environment and reducing heating and drying out of forested or glaciated areas. Sunshade devices10,110include, respectively, a canopy20,120, for providing shade from the sun, formed of a flexible lightweight sheet material. In some embodiments, canopy20,120is a reflective material and may have tubular channels containing helium or other lighter than air gases to assist with maintaining the canopy's elevation. Materials such as reflective white or metallized plastic films and reflective metal foils are preferred, however, fabrics such as reflective white woven and non-woven fabrics (such as a white fabric or a white knitted material). The canopy20,120may be a solid sheet material or a perforated or otherwise discontinuous sheet material. For example, the canopy may comprise a film, or a perforated film, or a non-woven or knitted white fabric. In some embodiments, canopy20,120is preferably fabricated from, or coated with, a fire-retardant material. In some embodiments, canopy20,120is fabricated from a combination of different materials to provide a laminated sheet having multiple materials providing multiple desired qualities or benefits.

In some embodiments of the invention, a portion or all of canopy20,120is formed of a variable stiffness film material such as described in U.S. Pat. No. 10,257,929 (the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference), which can become stiffer and more rigid upon the application of an electrical charge. In such case, opening of the canopy20,120can be additionally initiated and maintained by providing an electrical charge to the canopy film material.

In preferred embodiments, the canopy20,120is provided with a plurality of solar cells24,124for receiving sunlight and converting it to electrical energy to charge the rechargeable battery power system30which powers the sunshade device10,110, and in particular its avionics and telematics systems and its electrically powered lifting devices40,140described below. In particularly preferred embodiments, the canopy20,120is fabricated from a flexible solar panel film22,122containing embedded solar cells24,124.

Canopy20,120has a central portion26and a peripheral portion28,128. Canopy20,120is preferably symmetric in shape. In the embodiment ofFIGS.1-3, canopy20is generally circular in shape; in the embodiment ofFIG.4canopy120has a plurality of canopy arms121extending radially from the central portion126of the canopy120. In other embodiments, the canopy20,120may be generally square, rectangular, triangular, or other polygonal shapes, or oval or semi-circular or semi-oval or other curved and partially curved shapes. In any case, the canopy20,120may act as a parachute as described in more detail below.

Canopy20,120is fitted to a collapsible frame structure80, which is seen inFIG.3. The collapsible frame structure80acts to shape the canopy20,120. Frame structure80may be similar to an umbrella with several arms82extending from a central shaft84with the canopy20,120affixed thereto. The frame structure desirably has three or more arms82extending outwardly from the central shaft84of the frame structure, more preferably 4-6 arms82, and, in some embodiments, 7-15 arms82. The arms82may be fabricated of flexible or rigid polymeric materials or of metals. The number of arms82to be used will depend on the overall dimension of the sunshade device10and considerations of weight. The central shaft84is desirably a downwardly extending tubular shaft84having an upper end86, and a lower end88. The arms82are pivotally mounted to and extend radially outwardly from the upper end86of the central tubular shaft84.

An annular slider90is positioned on the exterior of the tubular shaft84. Support connectors92are pivotally mounted to and extend from the annular slider90to each of the arms82. Downward movement of the annular slider90on the tubular shaft84from the tubular shaft upper end86towards the tubular shaft lower end88causes collapse of the frame structure80. Upward movement of the annular slider90on the tubular shaft84from the tubular shaft lower end88towards the tubular shaft upper end86causes opening of the frame structure80.

The frame structure80may form various shapes, but will preferably form symmetric, relatively circular shapes with or without extending arms of a consistent length. In some embodiments using a frame structure, a power actuated system to open the framework, similar to an umbrella, may be provided to open the canopy to the fully open position during descent.

In one embodiment of a power actuated system, an electrical motor94has a linkage to the annular slider90to provide downward movement of the annular slider90on the tubular shaft84and upward movement of the annular slider90on the tubular shaft84. In a preferred embodiment, electric motor94is operable in two directions, and has a pulley96provided on a drive shaft of the electrical motor94. A line98has two ends100,102and the two ends are affixed to the annular slider90., Line98extends through the tubular shaft84and around one or more pulleys104to the outside of the tubular shaft. The line thus forms a loop that is driven by the electrical motor94.

A rechargeable battery power system30is operatively connected to the solar cells24,124which charge the battery power system30when solar cells24,124are exposed to sunlight. The battery power system includes one or more battery storage units32which are preferably a high capacity 12 volt (or higher) battery, sized to deliver sufficient electrical power to an electrically powered lifting device40,140for a sufficient period to lift the sunshade device to a selected altitude, and retain the sunshade device at the desired altitude for a time period of at least 30, 45, 60, 90, 120, 150, or 180 minutes. In other embodiments, the battery storage units may be formed of film materials and made as part of the canopy20,120. The battery power system30is also operatively connected to and powers the electric motor94.

Preferably, the one or more battery storage units32of the rechargeable battery power system30are contained in a container33suspended below the canopy20,120below the canopy20,120by attachment to the tubular shaft84.

The battery power system30further includes a battery management system34to monitor the battery power and reduce power usage by components of the sunshade device10,110at the direction of a sunshade management system50when battery power levels fall below a minimum threshold.

There is at least one electrically powered lifting device40,140attached to the central portion26,126of the canopy. The electrically powered lifting device40,140is preferably a propeller-driven device having rotors or propellers42,142. Lifting device40,140may have a single propeller or rotor, or multiple propellers or rotors. In the embodiments shown in the Figures, four rotors42,142are shown (e.g. a quadcopter drone embodiment) but anywhere from one to twenty rotors may be used. The number and size of each rotor42,142may be selected depending on the size of the sunshade device10,110and its weight to be lifted. The preferred embodiment is expected to be a single quadcopter arrangement, however, potentially 1, 2, or 4 quadcopter arrays could be used.

The rotors42,142are driven by appropriately sized electrical motors44. The at least one lifting device40,140is operatively connected to the rechargeable battery power system30to drive the electrical motors44when directed by the sunshade management system50.

Appropriate aircraft warning lights are provided on the lifting device40and the peripheral portion28of canopy20,120, and potentially, elsewhere on the canopy20,120and on the container33. Typical blinking red lights may be used to provide visibility to the sunshade device10,110, both when it is airborne and grounded.

Quadcopter (also known as quadrotor) drone technology is very well developed at this time, and in one preferred embodiment, the lifting device40,140and parts of the control systems of the sunshade management system50are implementations of known quadcopter concepts. Quadcopters generally have four rotors, two rotors spinning clockwise and two counterclockwise. The four rotors provide opposing torques, and can be individually manipulated to steer the quadcopter.

There are four primary movements that a quadcopter employs and they are controlled by each of the four rotors. In a typical layout, rotors1and4rotate clockwise, while rotors2and3rotate counterclockwise. Yaw is the clockwise or counterclockwise spin of a quadcopter. Yaw is used to rotate left, by operating rotors1and4propellers at normal speed, and rotors2and3at high speed. To rotate right, rotors1and4move at high speed and rotors2and3move at normal speed. Pitch is used to control the forward and backward movement of a quadcopter. To move forward, rotors1and2move at normal speed, while rotor3and4move at high speed. To move backward, rotors1and2run at high speed while rotors3and4run at normal speed. Roll is used to cause the quadcopter to bend left or bend right. In order to roll to the left, rotors1and3run at normal speed while rotors2and4run at high speed. To roll to the right, rotors1and3run at high speed and rotors2and4run at normal speed. Vertical positioning, e.g. ascent and descent are caused, respectively, by operating all rotors at high speed, and by operating all rotors at slower speeds.

FIG.5depicts a schematic representation of the sunshade management system50. Preferable embodiments of the sunshade management system50interpret flight data514provided by one or more sensors60to determine the best positioning for the canopy20,120. The one or more sensors60may be associated with the container33or they may be distributed at various locations on the canopy20,120and lifting devices40,140. Additional sensors may be provided at or near the earth's surface.

Sunshade management system50controls the elevation and angle (pitch) and geolocation (latitude and longitude) positioning of the sunshade device10,110based on flight data514provided by one or more sensors60. Sunshade management system50controls the one or more lifting devices40,140to activate them to lift the sunshade device10,110and/or to deactivate or reduce activity of the lifting devices40,140to cause the sunshade device10,110to descend.

During lifting of the sunshade device10,110, the canopy20,120is collapsed as seen inFIG.1. The sunshade management system50controls electric motor94, whereby the sunshade management system50operates the electric motor94to move the annular slider90downwardly on the tubular shaft84to collapse the frame structure80and associated canopy20,120during lifting of the sunshade device10,110. Collapse of canopy20,120may also be assisted by air pressure on the upper surface of the canopy20,120during lifting of the sunshade device10,110.

During descent of the sunshade device10,110, the canopy20,120is opened as seen inFIG.2. The sunshade management system50controls electric motor94and causes it to move the annular slider90upwardly on the tubular shaft84to open the frame structure80and open canopy20,120. Opening of canopy20,120may also be assisted by air pressure on a lower surface of the canopy20,120during descent of canopy20,120.

When open, the canopy20,120acts as a parachute to support and slow the descent of the sunshade device10,110and to provide shade to locations below sunshade device10,110.

Preferably, the sunshade management system50is provided with one or more sensors60for sensing one or more of the sunshade's altitude, elevation from the earth's surface, air temperature, barometer pressure, humidity, wind speed and direction, GPS signals, solar intensity, solar angle. Data obtained by the sensors allow the sunshade management system50to make determinations as to activation and deactivation of the lifting devices40,140.

Desirably, the sunshade management system50is provided with artificial intelligence and machine learning whereby it is able to make determinations regarding appropriate timing of takeoff and shutdown, and positioning of the elevation and angle of canopy20,120relative to the ground below, to maximize the shade effects of canopy20,120.

Sunshade management system50activates the lifting devices40,140to lift the sunshade device10,110when a sunshade device altitude measurement is equal to or below a preselected minimum altitude setting. Sunshade management system50deactivates or reduces activity of the lifting devices40,140to allow descent of the sunshade device10,110when a sunshade device altitude measurement is equal to or greater than a preselected maximum altitude setting.

In typical embodiments, sunshade management system50incorporates a central flight controller module52similar to a drone system. The central flight controller includes an Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU), a gyroscope, and satellite positioning (GPS and GLONASS). An accelerometer may be provided to determine orientation relative to the earth's surface. Obstacle detection sensors may be included. The central flight controller receives data from IMU, Gyroscope, GPS modules, accelerometer, and obstacle detection sensors, and using programmed flight parameters and algorithms it calculates speed settings for each rotor, and sends control signals to electronic speed controllers (ESC) associated with each motor.

The central flight controller module52may have additional features such as intelligent orientation control (IOC); signal to the motor ESCs on thrust and direction; intelligent landing gear; auto return to home; multi rotor fail protection; highly sensitive built-in damper IMU module; satellite receiver; and banked turn mode.

Preferable embodiments of the sunshade management system50are thus in electronic communication with the lifting devices40, either by wire connection or over a wireless connection. Accordingly, the sunshade management system50is capable of: controlling the state of collapse or opening of the canopy20,120; controlling the elevation and geolocation positioning of the sunshade device10,110; and determining if grounding of the sunshade device10,110is necessary due to one or more of weather, safety, and battery power of the sunshade device10,110. The sunshade management system50preferably performs each of these functions on a continuous, real-time basis and preferably learns from past assessments and instructions to improve its performance over time.

The sensors60preferably collect and transmit relevant flight data514such as altitude and elevation from the earth's surface, geolocation, GPS signal strength/presence, air temperature, humidity, precipitation, barometric pressure, wind speed and direction, solar intensity and angle, temperature and moisture levels at the earth's surface, and ambient precipitation.

Preferable embodiments of the sensors60and sunshade management system50also detect and transmit maintenance related data and information, such as damage to the sunshade's canopy20,120, low-power or malfunctioning lifting devices40,140, etc.

The sunshade management system50then uses the data and information collected by and transmitted from the sensors60to make real-time determinations about the positioning and effectiveness of the sunshade device10,110.

The sunshade management system50preferably employs a data assessment module522to obtain the flight data514and related information from the sensors60, perform an analysis of the present environment and anticipated future environment based upon the flight data514, and determine the optimal course of activities for the sunshade device10,110. The data assessment module522preferably performs these functions on a continuous and real-time basis such that the sunshade management system50is constantly reconsidering the optimal placement, shape, etc. for the sunshade device10.

Using the flight data514received from the sensors60, the data assessment module522causes the central flight controller52to generate lift instructions516and transmit those instructions to the lifting devices40,140. The lift instructions516can alter the angle or elevation of the sunshade device10,110can reduce the footprint of or ground the sunshade device10,110or re-position or otherwise alter the sunshade device10,110. The lift instructions516are preferably executed by the lifting devices40,140in real-time such that data is recorded and transmitted by the sensors60and analyzed and interpreted by the sunshade management system50to generate lift instructions516, and those lift instructions516are then executed by the lifting devices40,140all immediately, continuously, and in real-time.

Thus, for example, the sunshade management system50may have the ability to determine when ambient conditions of temperature, sunlight, and humidity are appropriate and sufficient to activate the sunshade device10,110into a flight mode, and similarly, if ambient conditions of temperature, sunlight, and humidity are appropriate and sufficient to discontinue operation of the sunshade device10,110and ground it for the night. In other situations, grounding of the sunshade device10,110is necessary due to one or more of weather, safety, and battery power of the sunshade device10,110. In one embodiment, the sunshade device management device50has means for receiving weather forecast data and, based on the weather forecast data, controlling the elevation and geolocation positioning, and grounding of the sunshade device

In the case of extreme weather events, the sunshade management system50may determine that the sunshade10,110should be folded up, grounded, or otherwise protected until the severe weather event ends. In the event of present or imminent severe weather, the sunshade management system50preferably acts to protect and preserve the sunshade device10,110by taking appropriate action. Such actions may include collapsing the sunshade device10,110but maintaining its elevation, grounding the sunshade device, or a combination. Such actions may also include moving the sunshade device10,110or increasing or reducing its elevation to avoid the severe weather.

In some preferable embodiments, user input may further be provided over a network. User input may, for example, instruct the sunshade management system50to generate lift instructions516to form ground the sunshade device10for maintenance. The user instructions520may be used to improve the efficacy of the sunshade device10,110or for other, non-functional reasons, such as to form a shape in celebration of or as a memorial to a certain event or holiday. Some preferable embodiments of the sunshade device10,110may also display certain messages, colors, patterns, etc. on the underside of the canopy. In such embodiments, the sunshade management system50may alter such underside display on the basis of user input.

Some preferable embodiments of the sunshade management system50employ a user instruction module526to obtain, parse, and communicate the user instructions520with the other components of the sunshade management system50. Such embodiments provide for fluid and optimized functionality of the sunshade management system50by compartmentalizing the data analysis and instruction generation functions of the sunshade management system50.

As previously mentioned, in some preferable embodiments, the sunshade management system50is capable of implementing machine learning algorithms to optimize its performance. For example, upon receipt of flight data514indicating the presence of extreme weather, the data assessment module522may determine a particular course of action that results in a suboptimal result. The data assessment module522, in such preferable embodiments, is capable of determining that its determination of an optimal course of action was incorrect or was delayed, and will therefore react differently in the future upon receipt of the same flight data514indicating the presence of extreme weather. In this way, the sunshade management system50performance can be improved the longer the sunshade device10,110remains deployed and the sunshade management system50remains active.

Furthermore, in some embodiments, there may be a plurality of sunshade devices10,110in communication with each other to coordinate their actions, for example, one sunshade devices10,110may be descending while a different one is ascending, to thereby optimize positioning and continuity of shade case by the sunshade devices10,110. A swarm of autonomously controlled networked sunshade devices10,110can thereby operate independently in remote locations without requiring continuous direct control, which may require on-site or satellite control systems.

The present invention provides a sunshade device10,110which has little to no energy footprint, and which can be strategically deployed to mitigate the harmful effects of climate change over large portions of the earth's surface. Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize the efficacy of the embodiments described herein for accomplishing the present invention's objectives. While the invention has been described with reference to particular embodiments and arrangements of parts, features, and the like, it is not limited to these embodiments or arrangements. Indeed, modifications and variations included in these teachings will be ascertainable to those of skill in the art.