Abstract:
Stowable and deployable unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), and associated systems and methods are disclosed. A UAV in accordance with a particular embodiment includes a main body, frames carried by the main body, and motors carried by the frames. At least two frames are positioned to move relative to each other between a stowed configuration in which the frames are generally aligned proximate to each other and a deployed configuration different from the stowed configuration. The main body can include a first body portion pivotably connected to a second body portion. In a stowed configuration, the body portions can generally overlap each other. A UAV in accordance with particular embodiments includes a modular electronics unit carried by the UAV and including a camera, a battery, and a vehicle controller. Modular electronics units can be configured to be removably connected to and disconnected from the UAV and other vehicles.
Abstract:
The disclosed embodiments include a trailer for an autonomous vehicle controlled by a command and control interface. The trailer includes a trailer body configured to retain the autonomous vehicle in an undeployed configuration. The trailer also anchors the autonomous vehicle in a deployed configuration. A tether is provided having a first end coupled to the trailer body and a second end that is configured to couple to the autonomous vehicle. A winch is utilized to adjust a length of the tether to move the autonomous vehicle between the undeployed configuration and deployed configuration. Further, a communication system communicates with the command and control interface and the autonomous vehicle to control movement of the autonomous vehicle between the undeployed configuration and deployed configuration.
Abstract:
In an aspect, in general, a spooling apparatus (112) includes a filament feeding mechanism for deploying and retracting filament (106) from the spooling apparatus to an aerial vehicle (102), an exit geometry sensor (230) for sensing an exit geometry of the filament from the spooling apparatus, and a controller for controlling the feeding mechanism to feed and retract the filament based on the exit geometry.
Abstract:
An unmanned air vehicle (UAV) system (10), is provided including a ground station (70), a platform (20) configured for carrying a payload (40) and having a propulsion system (30) for enabling the platform at least to selectively sustain a predetermined altitude above the ground station when in flight mode, and also including a tether (50) operatively coupling the ground station with the platform, the tether providing electrical communication between the platform and the ground station.
Abstract:
An un-manned airborne vehicle (UAV), for acquiring aeromagnetic data for geophysical surveying at low altitude on land or over water, comprising an extended fuselage that is adapted to hold and maintain magnetometer and a magnetic compensation magnetometer at a minimum distance from the avionics and propulsion systems of the UAV. The magnetometer measures magnetic anomalies and the magnetic compensation magnetometer measures magnetic responses corresponding to the pitch, yaw and roll of the UAV. A data acquisition system stores and removes the magnetic response measurements from the magnetic anomaly measurements. The data acquisition system also stores a survey flight plan and transmits the same to the avionics system. The generator of the UAV is shielded and the propulsion system is stabilized to reduce magnetic and vibrational noises that can interfere with the operation of the magnetometer.
Abstract:
A trailer (10) (figure 1) adapted to support a plurality of UAV's (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles) comprises an upper deck (11) and a lower deck (13). The lower deck (13) includes demountable containers (14), (15), (16) adapted to carry, for example, fuel and spares for the UAV's. The upper deck (11) is preferably provided with front and rear units (17), (18) to permit unidirectional movement of the UAV's over the upper deck (11).
Abstract:
Disclosed are unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) positioning mechanisms for moving a UAV across a surface. The positioning mechanisms comprise a first guide assembly arranged opposite to a second guide assembly. A drive system is arranged to move the first guide assembly towards the second guide assembly and guide the UAV from a first position to a second position.
Abstract:
An unmanned aerial vehicle includes an atmospheric sensor configured to measure an atmospheric condition. The unmanned aerial vehicle includes a rotor motor configured to drive rotation of a propeller of the unmanned aerial vehicle. The unmanned aerial vehicle includes a hybrid energy generation system including a rechargeable battery configured to provide electrical energy to the rotor motor; an engine configured to generate mechanical energy; and a generator coupled to the engine and configured to generate electrical energy from the mechanical energy generated by the engine, the electrical energy generated by the generator being provided to at least one of the rechargeable battery and the rotor motor.
Abstract:
Die Erfindung betrifft eine Vorrichtung zur automatisierten Be- und Entladung einer frei fliegenden autonom gesteuerten Drohne mit einem/von einem Objekt, umfassend: eine Landeplattform (101) für die Drohne, eine Lagereinrichtung (102) zur Lagerung von Objekten, einen Roboter (103), der dazu ausgeführt und eingerichtet ist, automatisiert Objekte aus der Lagereinrichtung (102) zu entnehmen und an der Landeplattform (101) für eine Aufnahme durch eine Drohne bereitzustellen, und automatisiert Objekte, die von einer Drohne an der Landeplattform (101) bereitgestellt sind, aufzunehmen und in der Lagereinrichtung (102) abzulegen, und ein Steuergerät (104) zur Steuerung des Roboters (103). Die Erfindung betrifft weiterhin ein Fahrzeug, insbesondere ein Lieferfahrzeug, mit einer ebensolchen Vorrichtung.
Abstract:
Methods and systems for transporting an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) (110) and data acquisition are provided. The method may comprise determining whether the UAV (110) is in a ground mode or a flight mode. The method may also comprise automatically adjust a state of the camera (118) to have a first state when the UAV (110) is in the ground mode and a second state when the UAV (110) is in the flight mode. The UAV (110) may be in the ground mode when the weight of the UAV is borne by an unmanned carrier (130) which is configured to carry the UAV (110). The UAV (110) may be in the flight mode when the UAV (110) is released from the unmanned carrier (130). The method may further comprise controlling the camera (118) to capture images using the camera (118) in the first state when the UAV (110) is in the ground mode and the second state when the UAV (110) is in the flight mode.