公开(公告)号：US09926084B2

公开(公告)日：2018-03-27

申请号：US15291878

申请日：2016-10-12

Applicant: Aurora Flight Sciences Corporation

Inventor： James Peverill ,  Adam Woodworth ,  Benjamin Freudberg ,  Dan Cottrell ,  Terrence McKenna

IPC: B64F1/02 ,  B64C39/02 ,  G05D1/10 ,  B60L11/18 ,  B64F1/36 ,  B64C25/68 ,  B64D47/04 ,  B64D47/08 ,  G06K9/00

CPC classification number: B64F1/02 ,  B60L11/1816 ,  B60L11/1838 ,  B60L2200/10 ,  B64C25/68 ,  B64C39/024 ,  B64C2201/028 ,  B64C2201/042 ,  B64C2201/06 ,  B64C2201/066 ,  B64C2201/123 ,  B64C2201/127 ,  B64C2201/141 ,  B64C2201/182 ,  B64D47/04 ,  B64D47/08 ,  B64F1/362 ,  G05D1/101 ,  G06K9/0063

Abstract: An aerial vehicle landing station comprising a first post and a second post, wherein the second post is spaced apart from the first post and a cable to capture an aerial vehicle, wherein the cable is stretched between the first post and the second post and configured to support the weight of the aerial vehicle once captured and the cable may provide a charging current to the aerial vehicle once captured. One or more markers may be further positioned on the cable to designate a landing point, wherein the one or more markers are configured to be visually tracked by the aerial vehicle. A cable management device coupled to the cable via one or more pulleys may regulate tension of the cable. A communications transceiver at the aerial vehicle landing station may wirelessly communicate data with the aerial vehicle.

公开(公告)号：US20180081351A1

公开(公告)日：2018-03-22

申请号：US15707029

申请日：2017-09-18

Applicant: GoPro, Inc.

Inventor： Benjamin Tankersley ,  Joseph Anthony Enke ,  Donald Allen Severns

IPC: G05D1/00 ,  B64C39/02

CPC classification number: G05D1/0011 ,  B64C39/024 ,  B64C2201/042 ,  B64C2201/108 ,  B64C2201/127 ,  B64C2201/146 ,  G03B15/006 ,  G05D1/0038 ,  G05D1/0858

Abstract: An aerial vehicle comprises one or more sensors to environmental data, a communication system to receive control inputs from a user, two or more actuators, with each actuator coupled to a rotary wing. The aerial vehicle also comprises a controller to determine a mode of the aerial vehicle based on the environmental data and the control inputs, each mode indicating a set of flight characteristics for the aerial vehicle, generate a gain value based on the mode, the gain value, when used to modify power signals transmitted to actuators of the aerial vehicle, causes the aerial vehicle to conform within the indicated flight characteristics of the determined mode, generate an output signal modified by the gain value based on the input signal, and transmit a power signal based on the output signal to each actuator of the aerial vehicle.

公开(公告)号：US20180075760A1

公开(公告)日：2018-03-15

申请号：US15696984

申请日：2017-09-06

Applicant: Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.

Inventor： John P. Thompson ,  David C. Winkle ,  Michael D. Atchley ,  Donald R. High ,  Todd D. Mattingly ,  Brian G. McHale ,  John J. O'Brien ,  John F. Simon ,  Robert L. Cantrell ,  Nathan G. Jones ,  Robert C. Taylor

IPC: G08G5/00 ,  B64C39/02 ,  G05D1/00 ,  G05B19/042 ,  G05D1/10 ,  H02J50/20

CPC classification number: G08G5/0082 ,  B64C39/024 ,  B64C2201/027 ,  B64C2201/042 ,  B64C2201/06 ,  B64C2201/108 ,  B64C2201/12 ,  G05B19/042 ,  G05D1/0088 ,  G05D1/0094 ,  G05D1/10 ,  H02J7/355 ,  H02J50/20

Abstract: Some embodiments provide an aerial monitoring system to monitor a geographic area, comprising: a unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) comprising: a plurality of lift motors to drive a propeller; a substructural support supporting the lift motors and propellers; a UAV control circuit configured to control the operation of the lift motors; a rechargeable electrical power source that supplies electrical power to the UAV control circuit and the plurality of lift motors; a recharge control circuit; and a modifiable support system cooperated with the substructural support and supporting a set of photovoltaic cells electrically coupled with the rechargeable power source and configured to supply electrical power to the rechargeable power source, wherein the recharge control circuit is configured to control a modification of the modifiable support system to cause a physical modification of at least an orientation of the modifiable support system relative to the substructural support.

公开(公告)号：US20180057165A1

公开(公告)日：2018-03-01

申请号：US15797146

申请日：2017-10-30

Applicant: FIRST PRINCIPLES, INC.

Inventor： Keith A. Raniere

IPC: B64C39/02 ,  B60L11/18 ,  B64C25/52 ,  B64F1/00

CPC classification number: B64C39/024 ,  B60L53/14 ,  B60L53/63 ,  B64C25/52 ,  B64C2201/024 ,  B64C2201/042 ,  B64C2201/146 ,  B64F1/007

Abstract: A system including an aerial vehicle having an airframe and a power source onboard the aerial vehicle, wherein the aerial vehicle includes a landing gear structure having a first electrical contact and a second electrical contact, and a charging station having a first electrical contact and a second electrical contact, wherein the aerial vehicle is programmed to dock with the charging station when the power source is in need of recharging, the docking being a mechanical engagement between the first electrical contact and the second electrical contact of the aerial vehicle with the first electrical contact and the second electrical contact of the charging station is provided. A method for continuous surveillance utilizing the aerial vehicles and charging stations is also provided.

公开(公告)号：US09902493B2

公开(公告)日：2018-02-27

申请号：US15550392

申请日：2016-02-08

Applicant: HUTCHINSON

Inventor： Jean-Michel Simon ,  Christophe Dominiak ,  Sebastien Andre

IPC: B64C27/08 ,  B64C29/00 ,  B64D35/06 ,  B64C39/02

CPC classification number: B64C29/0025 ,  B64C39/024 ,  B64C2201/027 ,  B64C2201/042 ,  B64C2201/044 ,  B64C2201/108 ,  B64C2201/128 ,  B64C2201/162 ,  B64D35/06 ,  B64D35/08

Abstract: Disclosed is an aerodyne including a supporting structure, to which are connected: at least one supporting axial blower, attached to the supporting structure; at least one main engine driving the supporting blower; at least three attitude blowers controlling roll and pitch, each attitude blower having an electrical motor and being attached, respectively, to one of the elongate arms that are distributed in a laterally, outwardly projecting manner around the supporting structure, to which each arm is connected by an inner end portion, the axis of rotation of each attitude blower being attached relative to the supporting structure, and all the attitude blowers being located outside the space centrally occupied by the supporting blower; at least one battery for supplying power to the electrical motors of the attitude blowers; a landing gear attached under the supporting structure; and a nacelle for holding the battery and a payload.

公开(公告)号：US09896200B2

公开(公告)日：2018-02-20

申请号：US15332391

申请日：2016-10-24

Applicant: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Inventor： William J. Fredericks ,  Mark D. Moore ,  Ronald C. Busan ,  Paul M. Rothhaar ,  David D. North ,  William M. Langford ,  Christopher T. Laws ,  William T. Hodges ,  Zachary R. Johns ,  Sandy R. Webb

IPC: B64C29/00 ,  B64C39/00 ,  B64C11/28 ,  B64C25/52 ,  B64D27/24 ,  B64C3/40 ,  B64C9/14 ,  B64D27/26 ,  B64C11/50 ,  B64C25/32 ,  B64C3/38 ,  B64C39/02 ,  B64C5/02 ,  B64D27/02

CPC classification number: B64C29/0033 ,  B64C3/385 ,  B64C3/40 ,  B64C5/02 ,  B64C9/14 ,  B64C11/28 ,  B64C11/50 ,  B64C25/32 ,  B64C25/52 ,  B64C39/024 ,  B64C2201/021 ,  B64C2201/042 ,  B64C2201/044 ,  B64C2201/088 ,  B64C2201/104 ,  B64C2201/108 ,  B64C2201/165 ,  B64D27/24 ,  B64D27/26 ,  B64D2027/026 ,  Y02T50/44 ,  Y02T50/64 ,  Y10S903/903

Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices are provided that combine an advance vehicle configuration, such as an advanced aircraft configuration, with the infusion of electric propulsion, thereby enabling a four times increase in range and endurance while maintaining a full vertical takeoff and landing (“VTOL”) and hover capability for the vehicle. Embodiments may provide vehicles with both VTOL and cruise efficient capabilities without the use of ground infrastructure. An embodiment vehicle may comprise a wing configured to tilt through a range of motion, a first series of electric motors coupled to the wing and each configured to drive an associated wing propeller, a tail configured to tilt through the range of motion, a second series of electric motors coupled to the tail and each configured to drive an associated tail propeller, and an electric propulsion system connected to the first series of electric motors and the second series of electric motors.

公开(公告)号：US20180044029A1

公开(公告)日：2018-02-15

申请号：US15233507

申请日：2016-08-10

Applicant: Patrick C. Koegler

Inventor： Patrick C. Koegler ,  Leslie J. Koegler

IPC: B64D27/24 ,  B64D47/08 ,  H02K7/14 ,  B64C39/02

CPC classification number: B64D27/24 ,  B64C11/48 ,  B64C27/10 ,  B64C27/14 ,  B64C39/024 ,  B64C2201/027 ,  B64C2201/042 ,  B64C2201/108 ,  B64F5/10 ,  H02K7/14

Abstract: A coaxial, aligned electric motor group for propelling an unmanned aerial system. The electric motor group includes a first electric motor having a first rotor and a first stator, the first rotor including as a portion thereof or supporting as an attachment thereto an axially elongate first power output shaft, and a second electric motor having a second rotor and a hollow second stator. The first power output shaft extends coaxially through the hollow second stator, and the second rotor includes as a portion thereof, or supporting as an attachment thereto, an axially elongate second power output shaft.

公开(公告)号：US20180029477A1

公开(公告)日：2018-02-01

申请号：US15663387

申请日：2017-07-28

Applicant: Simon Gojcaj

Inventor： Simon Gojcaj

IPC: B60L8/00 ,  B64D35/02 ,  H01L31/048 ,  B64C27/08 ,  B64D27/24

CPC classification number: B60L8/003 ,  B64C27/08 ,  B64C39/024 ,  B64C2201/027 ,  B64C2201/042 ,  B64D13/06 ,  B64D27/24 ,  B64D35/02 ,  B64D2013/0651 ,  H01L31/048 ,  H02S20/30 ,  Y02T10/7083 ,  Y02T50/44 ,  Y02T50/55 ,  Y02T50/62

Abstract: A solar power system for a drone. The system including a shell with at least one solar cell adapted for placement on an exterior surface of a drone. The system coupled to a controller, the controller distributing collected solar energy to the various systems of the drone including the power systems containing batteries and the motor systems adapted to propel the drone.

公开(公告)号：US09878786B2

公开(公告)日：2018-01-30

申请号：US14630114

申请日：2015-02-24

Applicant: Elwha LLC

Inventor： Alistair K. Chan ,  Jesse R. Cheatham, III ,  Hon Wah Chin ,  William David Duncan ,  Roderick A. Hyde ,  Muriel Y. Ishikawa ,  Jordin T. Kare ,  TOny S. Pan ,  Robert C. Petroski ,  Clarence T. Tegreene ,  David B. Tuckerman ,  Thomas Allan Weaver ,  Lowell L. Wood, Jr.

IPC: B64C27/00 ,  B64C39/02 ,  B64C27/08 ,  B64C27/52 ,  B64D27/26 ,  B64D47/08

CPC classification number: B64C39/024 ,  B64C27/08 ,  B64C27/52 ,  B64C2201/027 ,  B64C2201/042 ,  B64C2201/044 ,  B64C2201/108 ,  B64C2201/126 ,  B64C2201/128 ,  B64D27/26 ,  B64D47/08

Abstract: A reconfigurable unmanned aircraft system is disclosed. A system and method for configuring a reconfigurable unmanned aircraft and system and method for operation and management of a reconfigurable unmanned aircraft in an airspace are also disclosed. The aircraft is selectively reconfigurable to modify flight characteristics. The aircraft comprises a set of rotors. The position of at least one rotor relative to the base can be modified by at least one of translation of the rotor relative to the boom, pivoting of the boom relative to the base, and translation of the boom relative to the base; so that flight characteristics can be modified by configuration of position of at least one rotor relative to the base. A method of configuring an aircraft having a set of rotors on a mission to carry a payload comprises the steps of determining properties of the payload including at least mass properties, determining the manner in which the payload will be coupled to the aircraft, determining configuration for each of the rotors in the set of rotors at least partially in consideration of the properties of the payload, and positioning the set of rotors in the configuration for the aircraft to perform the mission.

公开(公告)号：US09878258B2

公开(公告)日：2018-01-30

申请号：US15455683

申请日：2017-03-10

Applicant: ROOFTOP GROUP INTERNATIONAL PTE. LTD.

Inventor： Darren Scott Matloff

IPC: A63H27/00 ,  B64C27/08 ,  B64C27/14 ,  B64C39/02 ,  F41A33/02 ,  G08C17/02 ,  G08C23/04

CPC classification number: A63H27/12 ,  A63H27/00 ,  B64C27/08 ,  B64C27/14 ,  B64C39/024 ,  B64C2201/024 ,  B64C2201/042 ,  B64C2201/108 ,  B64C2201/12 ,  B64C2201/146 ,  B64C2201/165 ,  B64C2203/00 ,  F41A33/02 ,  G08C17/02 ,  G08C23/04

Abstract: An optical-based aerial gaming system comprises: a multirotor unmanned flying device comprising: a main body; a plurality of propulsion units, a wireless receiver configured to receive data via radio communication; a wireless transmitter configured to send data via radio communication; one or more light generators configured to project laser or infrared light from the unmanned flying device; and one or more light sensors configured to detect laser or infrared light projected by a separate unmanned flying device; and a remote control unit comprising: a wireless transmitter configured to send data via radio communication; and a wireless receiver configured to receive data via radio communication, wherein the unmanned flying device is configured to transmit to the remote control unit, using the wireless transmitter of the unmanned flying device, at least a portion of encoded data of the detected laser or infrared light.