WO2017042685A1

WO2017042685A1 - Floating shade projector

Info

Publication number: WO2017042685A1
Application number: PCT/IB2016/055312
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jose Angel GONZALEZ GILL; Kathia Tamara BROCE MACK; Christofher CARDENAS; Ricardo DE LEVANTE
Original assignee: Universidad Tecnológica De Panamá
Priority date: 2016-06-24
Filing date: 2016-09-06
Publication date: 2017-03-16

Abstract

A device is disclosed; said device is capable of floating in the sky by means of the interaction of its surface with the wind, as in the case of a kite. The device features a plurality of cylinders linked together, with valves at their frontal section in order to control the airflow therein. It likewise features a configuration of covers which close holes in the lower surface of the plurality. The holes may be employed to control the quantity of air within the device. The device is actuated by electric motors connected to a controller integrated in the device, no crew therefore being necessary. The invention may be connected to other devices by means of wireless networks, and may receive commands therefrom.

Description

FLOATING SHADE PROJECTOR

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION The present invention falls within the technical field of parachutes, and likewise within that of systems for controlling the position of airborne vehicles, and discloses a device able to float in the air by means of the action of the wind in contact with its surface area, and capable of modifying its position by means of the activation of electric motors so as to provide protection from the sun, by way of shade, for users on the ground. A user may communicate with the invention by wireless means and issue commands.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention is directly related to floating devices constructed in the form of kites or parachutes. It is particularly related to parachutes featuring channels on the surface thereof and valves to control the flow of air therein. The device is operated automatically, and is unmanned. The object of this device is to provide shade for persons on beaches, in deserts, or similar locations with little shade and a high concentration of sunlight. The device may also be used to display publicity on its upper and lower surfaces.

United States patent number US 5213289 granted to Barresi describes a device used as a parachute and incorporating implements such as a frame and a control device, whereto the suspension lines are affixed, and further comprising a compartment in which the electronic devices are kept.

United States patent number US6587762 B1 granted to Rooney uses a wireless means of communication to program the orientation unit of the device whose basis is a microprocessor which stores the data in a removable EEPROM memory; this technology was used during the first years of the present century. However, our invention presents an improvement on the present method, as data storage and control of the device may be performed via mobile devices. United States patent number US557320 granted to Germain discloses a movement mechanism using a dynamic air movement system. The air inflatable is covered with a series of cells with valves. DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The aim of the present invention is to create an apparatus capable of flying and which may project shade as it moves. The present invention relates to a plurality of cylinders manufactured from a lightweight material or equivalent; each frontal section featuring a valve-type device actuated by an electric motor connected to a control box. The cylinders are constructionally linked together. It is the intention of this invention that the electrical systems be fed by batteries.

It is the intention of this invention that the control box shall feature a battery system, a microcontroller and the following electronic sensors: gyroscope and barometer. A system for wireless communication shall likewise be linked to the controller.

Another intention of the present invention is that the controller shall feature a system for the control of the plurality of motors activating the valves.

One of the intentions of the present invention is that it may be connected to other devices by means of wireless networks, and may receive commands from these other devices.

Another intention of this invention is that the valves shall control the airflow within the cylinders.

Another intention is that the electric motors shall control the valve configuration.

Another intention of the present invention is to provide bands for advertisements on the upper and lower surfaces formed by the plurality of the cylinders. The intention is that this device shall be able to float in the air.

The intention is that this device shall be able to change its position in the air by means of the modification of the valve configuration.

The intention is that this device shall be able to determine its movement and position by means of the use of two sensors; one gyroscopically and the other barometrically. The intention is that the device shall be able to change its altitude from the ground by means of the use of holes in the lower surface of the plurality of cylinders.

It is the intention of this invention that the size of the holes in the internal surface of the plurality of cylinders may be modified by means of covers actuated by electric motors.

The floating shade projector is a kite-like device, designed to float and travel easily through the air, projecting shade as it passes. It is formed by a plurality of cylinders manufactured from a lightweight material, at whose frontal section a valve-type device actuated by an electric motor is located, said motor being connected in turn to a control box. This control box functions by means of a system of batteries and a controller. The invention disclosed herein further possesses a pair of bands, one at its upper part and one at its lower part, on which advertising material may be printed. It is possible to dispense with the band and to print on the material of the cylinders.

The device further features a plurality of holes in its lower surface, in such a way that air may enter the cylinders. The holes are closed by covers operated by electric motors. Furthermore, the floating shade projector features electronic sensors, a gyroscope and a barometer, to enable the establishment of the position thereof in the air. It features a wireless communication system, enabling control by the user by means of any mobile device. This function will endow the user with the faculty to locate the device in the most convenient position during use for the projection of shade. DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

As a supplement to the description made herein, and for the purpose of aiding the better understanding of the characteristics of the invention, in accordance with a preferred example of a practical embodiment of the same, a set of drawings is attached as an integral part of said description wherein, by way of illustration and not limitation, the following is portrayed:

Figure 1.- Portrays a general view of the frontal section of the floating shade projector.

Figure 2.- Portrays a close-up view of a single cylinder.

Figure 3.- Portrays a general upper view of the floating shade projector, with a band for advertisements.

Figure 4.- Portrays a lower view of the floating shade projector, without the band for advertisements and the control box, to reveal the holes.

Figure 5.- Portrays a detail of the system of holes and covers actuated by electric motors.

Figure 6.- Portrays a connection diagram of the devices within the control box. PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

The aforementioned figures are not to scale. The actual dimensions and shape of the components may vary. Only the significant details of the apparatus disclosed are shown. Figure 1 portrays the frontal section of the floating shade projector (1), wherein a cylinder (4a) may be seen to be attached to a plurality of identical cylinders. Each cylinder features a valve (3a) at its frontal section. A cable (5) links the floating shade projector (1) to a control box (2). Figure 2 is a detail of the cylinder (4a), wherein the valve (3a) is linked to the shaft of a valve motor (6a), the valve thereby being able to rotate around this shaft in order to close the frontal opening of the cylinder (4a). Figure 3 portrays an upper view of the floating shade projector (1) wherein the plurality of cylinders (4a) comprises a band (7a) for advertisements disposed thereon.

Figure 4 portrays the plurality of cylinders (4a), with a number of holes (8a) defined on the lower side of the cylinders (4a) which enable the ingress of air into the interior of the aforementioned cylinders (4a).

The figure portrays a lateral view of one of the holes (8a) in the lower section of the cylinder (4a), which may be closed with a cover (9) linked to a shaft of a cover motor (10). The cover (9) may rotate around the shaft of the cover motor (10), preventing the passage of air through the hole (8a), resulting in the alteration of the vertical position of the apparatus. The cover motor (10) is fed and controlled by the control box (2) and communicates therewith by a cable.

Figure 6 is a diagram portraying the connections within the control box (2). The dotted lines are power supply connections. Within the control box (2) there is a microcontroller (12) which sends electrical control signals along the unbroken lines. A battery (11) feeds the main systems and the microcontroller (12) feeds the sensors. A barometric sensor (15) and a gyroscopic sensor (16) send measurements of height and movement; these are used by the microcontroller (12) to determine the current position of the system in accordance with a reference framework. The microcontroller (12) receives positional commands from the user with a user's device (14) via a wireless connection controller (13). It is also possible to send information to the user's device by this means. The commands received by the microcontroller (12) are translated and sent to the cover motors (10) and valve motors (6) in order to achieve the desired positional result.

Claims

C L A I M S

1. A floating shade projector, characterised in that it comprises:

- a plurality of identical cylinders laterally linked together, wherein each of the cylinders in turn comprises:

- an upper surface,

- a lower surface,

- a valve, and

- a plurality of holes defined in its lower surface,

- a valve motor,

- a battery,

- a valve motor shaft to operate the valves.

- a control box which activates the valve motor, and

- a cable linking the cylinders to the control box.

2. A floating shade projector, as claimed in claim 1 , characterised in that it further comprises a plurality of covers in correspondence with the plurality of holes in the lower surface of each of the cylinders.

3. A floating shade projector, as claimed in claim 2, characterised in that it further comprises a cover motor for the activation of the plurality of covers.

4. A floating shade projector, as claimed in claim 1 , characterised in that it further comprises a barometer and a gyroscope.

5. A floating shade projector, as claimed in claim 4, characterised in that it comprises a microcontroller which determines the position of the floating device in accordance with a number of positional commands determined by the barometer and the gyroscope.

6. A floating shade projector, as claimed in claim 1 , characterised in that the plurality of cylinders further comprises a band for advertisements.