Abstract:
A UAV support vehicle carries a UAV support apparatus for launching and/or recovering a UAV while the UAV support vehicle is moving. The UAV support apparatus releases the UAV during launch and receives the UAV during recovery. An active suspension may be connected between the UAV support vehicle and at least a portion of the UAV support apparatus and reduce motion imparted to that portion of the UAV support apparatus. During UAV recovery, data from a synchronization link between the UAV and the UAV support vehicle may be used to maneuver the UAV and/or the UAV support vehicle.
Abstract:
Disclosed in the present invention is a positioning mechanism, a UAV dock using the positioning mechanism, and a UAV replenishment method. The positioning mechanism comprises a base provided with a landing area, with a positioning portion provided on said landing area; and a guide member movably arranged on said landing area and comprising a guide surface, wherein the moving states of said guide member relative to said base include a non-operating state and an operating state; the height of said guide member in said non-operating state is less than the height thereof in said operating state; and said guide surface in said operating state can be adjoined by said positioning portion. Compared with a totally active solution, the above-mentioned positioning mechanism reduces the number of actuators for positioning, thus reducing the cost and complexity of equipment and reducing the space occupied by the guide member in the non-operating state, thereby facilitating the miniaturized design of equipment.
Abstract:
An apparatus for containing and charging an unmanned VTOL aircraft 300, comprising a post 200 placed on a ground and at least one lateral fastening hole 210 formed in a side of the post, and configured such that a pole 340 of the unmanned VTOL aircraft is inserted and fastened into the lateral fastening hole, wherein an entrance of the lateral fastening hole is formed in a cone shape, and thus the pole of the unmanned VTOL aircraft is easily inserted into the lateral fastening hole during fastening of the unmanned VTOL aircraft. The lateral fastening hole is further configured such that target- and cross-shaped LED/IR lights are lit in order to guide the unmanned VTOL aircraft through automatic insertion via vision of the unmanned VTOL aircraft.
Abstract:
An apparatus and method for containing and charging an unmanned VTOL aircraft are disclosed. The apparatus for containing and charging an unmanned VTOL aircraft includes a post 110, an extended member 120, a cover 130, a fastening unit 140, and a charging unit 150. The post is placed on a ground. The extended member is connected to the post. The cover is provided on the extended member, and is configured to be opened or closed in order to contain and protect the unmanned VTOL aircraft. The fastening unit is provided in the cover, and is configured to fasten the unmanned VTOL aircraft. The charging unit is provided in the fastening unit, and is configured to charge the unmanned VTOL aircraft.
Abstract:
In specific embodiments, a vehicle propellable through fluids comprises a main work section and a plurality of propulsion units. The main work section includes a payload support hub, a payload support structure rotatable in 360 about the payload support hub in at least one axis, and a core including at least one microprocessor, the core at least partially nested within the payload support hub. The at least one microprocessor is adapted to substantially maintain an orientation of the payload support structure relative to a horizon line as the vehicle is propelled. One or more payloads are mountable on the rotatable payload support structure.