Airborne unmanned aerial vehicle charging
First Claim
1. A power unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), comprising:
- a flight system having control electronics to control a flight of the power UAV and a flight mechanism to provide lift to the power UAV;
a receptor positioned to generate a current from a magnetic field emanating from a conductor of an overhead power line while the power UAV is flying proximate to the conductor;
a first shielding substrate disposed between at least a portion of the control electronics and the receptor;
a frame coupled to the receptor, the flight mechanism, and the first shielding substrate;
wherein the power UAV, while the power UAV is flying, is configured to at least;
engage a second UAV; and
provide a charging current to the second UAV; and
wherein a position of the first shielding substrate is configured to at least be adjustable with respect to the frame while the power UAV is flying.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
This disclosure describes a power unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) that may generate a current from a conductor of an overhead power line carrying an AC power signal. The power UAV has a receptor that includes a secondary coil. Current is generated by the secondary coil of the receptor from magnetic fields emanating from the overhead power lines while the power UAV is flying. The generated current may be used to fly the power UAV, recharge an energy storage device of the power UAV, or be provided to another UAV. In various implementations, while the power UAV is flying, the power UAV may receive another UAV, recharge the other UAV, and then release the UAV to resume flying. In various implementations, the power UAV may also monitor characteristics of the power delivery system.
-
Citations
22 Claims
-
1. A power unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), comprising:
-
a flight system having control electronics to control a flight of the power UAV and a flight mechanism to provide lift to the power UAV; a receptor positioned to generate a current from a magnetic field emanating from a conductor of an overhead power line while the power UAV is flying proximate to the conductor; a first shielding substrate disposed between at least a portion of the control electronics and the receptor; a frame coupled to the receptor, the flight mechanism, and the first shielding substrate; wherein the power UAV, while the power UAV is flying, is configured to at least; engage a second UAV; and provide a charging current to the second UAV; and wherein a position of the first shielding substrate is configured to at least be adjustable with respect to the frame while the power UAV is flying. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
-
-
5. A method to generate current with a power unmanned aerial vehicle (“
- UAV”
), the method comprising;flying the power UAV to a position along a conductor of an overhead power line such that a receptor coupled to the power UAV is at a location where a magnetic field emanating from the conductor of the overhead power line is present; generating, with the receptor, a current from the magnetic field emanating from the conductor of the overhead power line; adjusting, while the power UAV is in flight, a position of a shielding substrate with respect to a frame of the power UAV; and wherein the current is generated while the power UAV is in flight. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
- UAV”
-
17. A power unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), comprising:
-
a flight system for flying the power UAV, the flight system having control electronics and a flight mechanism; a receptor configured to at least, while the power UAV is flying, generate a current from a magnetic field emanating from a conductor of an overhead power line cable; and a shielding substrate that is configured to, while the power UAV is flying, at least be adjustable with respect to a frame of the power UAV. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
-
Specification