Aerial drone

Abstract

The disclosure relates to an unmanned aerial vehicle, wherein a fuel cell system component provides a structural component of the vehicle. In some instances propulsion modules affixed to wings are oriented so as to provide airflow to plates oof a fuel cell via air inlets for each fuel cell provided at the forward surface of each wing, a fuel cell system component forming a portion of the body and wherein the air inlets are unblocked during flight, each propulsion module is configured to provide air as an oxidant to a fuel cell via the air inlets.

1 . An unmanned aerial vehicle, comprising:
 a central body onto which at least a payload is affixed;   a plurality of fuel cell stacks operable in a predefined configuration, each of the plurality of stacks being in a separate package;   one or more fuel cartridges configured to supply hydrogen to the plurality of fuel cell stacks;   a propulsion system comprising one or more propulsion modules configured to receive an output power generated from the plurality of stacks; and   a power controller configured to couple the plurality of stacks in the predefined configuration; and,   wherein the power controller is further configured to detect a fault in one of the plurality of stacks and to cause the other stack(s) to continue operating normally.   
     
     
         2 . The unmanned aerial vehicle of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of stacks is distributed around the frame such that a center of mass of the vehicle is balanced and a manner in which the vehicle flies is affected. 
     
     
         3 . The unmanned aerial vehicle of  claim 1 , wherein the predefined configuration comprises the plurality of stacks arranged in series. 
     
     
         4 . The unmanned aerial vehicle of  claim 3 , wherein the power controller is further configured to balance a current from each of the two stacks. 
     
     
         5 . The unmanned aerial vehicle of  claim 3 , wherein the plurality of stacks, the one or fuel cartridges, and the power controller are affixed onto the frame. 
     
     
         6 . A method of operating a multi-stack fuel cell powered unmanned aerial vehicle during a stack failure, the method comprising:
 operating an unmanned ariel vehicle having a plurality of fuel cell stacks operable in a predefined configuration;   providing fuel to the plurality of fuel cell stacks via one or more fuel cartridges;   using a power controller to provide electrical power from the fuel cell stacks to a propulsion system comprising one or more propulsion modules; and,   wherein the power controller is configured to detect a fault in one of the plurality of stacks and to cause the other stack(s) to continue operating the unmanned aerial vehicle normally.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6  wherein the predefined configuration comprises the plurality of stacks arranged in series. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the power controller is further configured to balance a current from each of the stacks. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the plurality of stacks, the one or fuel cartridges, and the power controller are affixed onto a frame.