Drone aircraft landing and docking systems
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A docking station for an aircraft, comprising:
- a base portion;
an alignment system disposed on the base portion configured to orient the aircraft relative to the base portion; and
a latching system operatively associated with the alignment system for selectively latching the aircraft to the docking station, wherein the alignment system includes a plurality of protrusions, wherein the protrusions include at least one latch orifice for receiving a latching member of the latching system, wherein the latching system includes the latching member extending through the latching orifice and configured to move relative to the protrusion.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A docking station for an aircraft includes a base portion and an alignment system disposed on the base portion configured to orient the aircraft relative to the base portion. The alignment system can include a plurality of protrusions extending away from the base portion in a vertical direction. The plurality of protrusions can extend away from the base portion in both the vertical direction and a horizontal direction such that the protrusions can extend from the base portion at an angle.
22 Citations
15 Claims
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1. A docking station for an aircraft, comprising:
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a base portion; an alignment system disposed on the base portion configured to orient the aircraft relative to the base portion; and a latching system operatively associated with the alignment system for selectively latching the aircraft to the docking station, wherein the alignment system includes a plurality of protrusions, wherein the protrusions include at least one latch orifice for receiving a latching member of the latching system, wherein the latching system includes the latching member extending through the latching orifice and configured to move relative to the protrusion. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A quad-copter docking station, comprising:
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a base portion; and an alignment system disposed on the base portion configured to orient the aircraft relative to the base portion, wherein the alignment system includes a plurality of protrusions extending away from the base portion in both the vertical direction and a horizontal direction such that the protrusions extend from the base portion at an angle; and a latching system operatively associated with the alignment system for selectively latching the aircraft to the docking station, wherein the protrusions include at least one latch orifice for receiving a latching member of the latching system, wherein the latching system includes the latching member extending through the latching orifice and configured to move relative to the protrusion. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method for charging and/or securing an autonomous aircraft to a docking station, comprising:
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determining if the aircraft has landed in the docking station, wherein the docking station includes; a base portion; and an alignment system disposed on the base portion configured to orient the aircraft relative to the base portion, wherein the alignment system includes a plurality of protrusions extending away from the base portion in both the vertical direction and a horizontal direction such that the protrusions extend from the base portion at an angle; and a latching system operatively associated with the alignment system for selectively latching the aircraft to the docking station, wherein the protrusions include at least one latch orifice for receiving a latching member of the latching system, wherein the latching system includes the latching member extending through the latching orifice and configured to move relative to the protrusion; and latching the aircraft to the docking station if the aircraft is determined to have landed in the docking station using the latching system.
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Specification