Replaceable power modules on aerial vehicles
First Claim
1. A method comprising:
- a determining that a first power module releasably installed in an open chamber of a first aerial vehicle requires replacement,wherein the first power module comprises a first housing having a first cross section of a first shape, a first central opening, and a first lateral slot extending laterally between a perimeter of the first cross section and the first central opening,wherein the open chamber has a second cross section of a second shape,wherein the first aerial vehicle comprises a frame having a second lateral slot extending between a perimeter of the frame and the open chamber,wherein the first lateral slot is aligned with the second lateral slot, andwherein the second shape corresponds to the first shape;
determining a location of a transfer station having a tension member suspended therefrom, an engagement device mounted to the tension member and a second power module having the first cross section of the first shape releasably suspended from the tension member, wherein the engagement device is mounted to the tension member above the second power module;
causing the first aerial vehicle to travel to the location;
causing the first aerial vehicle to align the tension member with the first lateral slot with the second lateral slot;
causing the first aerial vehicle to insert at least a portion of the tension member above the engagement device into the first central opening via the first lateral slot and the second lateral slot;
raising the tension member with respect to the aerial vehicle, wherein raising the tension member comprises;
causing the engagement device to engage with the first power module;
removing, by the engagement device, the first power module from the open chamber; and
releasably installing the second power module into the open chamber;
releasing the second power module from the tension member; and
causing the first aerial vehicle to separate from at least the portion of the tension member.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An aerial vehicle may receive electrical power from power modules that may be installed into or removed from the aerial vehicle during flight operations. Such power modules may be inserted into a chamber from below the aerial vehicle and may come into contact with one or more terminals or leads for powering propulsion motors or other electrical loads. Such power modules may also be removed from above the aerial vehicle, thereby uncoupling the power modules from the electrical loads. Power modules may be installed into or removed from a chamber using tension members that are guided into the chamber from lateral slots extending between a perimeter of the aerial vehicle and the chamber. The tension members may be used to not only engage and remove a power module within the chamber but also to install a power module into the chamber.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method comprising:
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a determining that a first power module releasably installed in an open chamber of a first aerial vehicle requires replacement, wherein the first power module comprises a first housing having a first cross section of a first shape, a first central opening, and a first lateral slot extending laterally between a perimeter of the first cross section and the first central opening, wherein the open chamber has a second cross section of a second shape, wherein the first aerial vehicle comprises a frame having a second lateral slot extending between a perimeter of the frame and the open chamber, wherein the first lateral slot is aligned with the second lateral slot, and wherein the second shape corresponds to the first shape; determining a location of a transfer station having a tension member suspended therefrom, an engagement device mounted to the tension member and a second power module having the first cross section of the first shape releasably suspended from the tension member, wherein the engagement device is mounted to the tension member above the second power module; causing the first aerial vehicle to travel to the location; causing the first aerial vehicle to align the tension member with the first lateral slot with the second lateral slot; causing the first aerial vehicle to insert at least a portion of the tension member above the engagement device into the first central opening via the first lateral slot and the second lateral slot; raising the tension member with respect to the aerial vehicle, wherein raising the tension member comprises; causing the engagement device to engage with the first power module; removing, by the engagement device, the first power module from the open chamber; and releasably installing the second power module into the open chamber; releasing the second power module from the tension member; and causing the first aerial vehicle to separate from at least the portion of the tension member. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
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4. A method comprising:
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initiating a first flight operation of a first aerial vehicle, wherein the first aerial vehicle comprises a first propulsion motor coupled to a frame and a first power module releasably installed into a chamber disposed within the frame, and wherein the first flight operation of the first aerial vehicle is initiated under power of the first power module; removing the first power module from the chamber of the aerial vehicle via a first opening in an upper surface of the frame during the first flight operation; releasably installing a second power module into the chamber of the aerial vehicle via a second opening in a lower surface of the frame during the first flight operation; and continuing the first flight operation under power of the second power module. - View Dependent Claims (5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A method for powering an aerial vehicle comprising:
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inserting a first power module into a chamber disposed within a frame of the aerial vehicle via an opening provided in a lower surface of the frame, wherein the first power module has a first height and a first cross section, wherein the first power module comprises a first positive terminal and a first negative terminal on at least one external surface of the first power module, wherein each of the first positive terminal and the first negative terminal extends along the first height of the at least one external surface of the first power module, wherein the chamber has the first height and a second cross section, wherein the chamber comprises a second positive terminal of an electrical circuit and a second negative terminal of the electrical circuit on at least one internal surface of the chamber, and wherein the second cross section corresponds to the first cross section, and wherein inserting the first power module into the chamber causes the first positive terminal to electrically couple with the second positive terminal and the first negative terminal to electrically couple with the second negative terminal; initiating a flight operation of the aerial vehicle under power of the first power module; a inserting a portion of a second power module into the chamber disposed within the frame of the aerial vehicle via the opening provided in the lower surface of the frame during the flight operation of the aerial vehicle, wherein the second power module has the first height and the first cross section, wherein the second power module comprises a third positive terminal and a third negative terminal on at least one external surface of the second power module, wherein each of the third positive terminal and the third negative terminal extends along the first height of the at least one external surface of the third power module, and wherein inserting the portion of the second power module into the chamber causes the third positive terminal to electrically couple with the second positive terminal and the third negative terminal to electrically couple with the second negative terminal; and removing the first power module from the chamber via an opening provided in an upper surface of the frame during the flight operation of the aerial vehicle, wherein removing the first power module from the chamber causes the first positive terminal to electrically uncouple from the second positive terminal and the first negative terminal to electrically uncouple from the second negative terminal. - View Dependent Claims (20)
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Specification