Wireless power and data transfer for unmanned vehicles
First Claim
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1. A method comprising the steps of:
- positioning a first device and a second device within a wireless transmission range, wherein the second device is operatively connected to an unmanned vehicle, and wherein the first device is operatively connected to an energy source having energy storage, data storage, and a controller that is configured to cause power and data to be sent from the energy source to the unmanned vehicle and is also configured to receive power and data from the unmanned vehicle and route the power and data to the energy storage and the data storage as appropriate; and
wirelessly transferring power and data from the energy source to the unmanned vehicle via the first device and the second device, wherein the first device and the second device are coils,wherein the step of positioning a first device operatively connected to the energy source and a second device operatively coupled to the unmanned vehicle within a wireless transmission range is performed autonomously using a signal from the unmanned vehicle.
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Abstract
A system and method provide for wireless power and/or data transfer between devices, such as coils. A first device, operatively connected to an energy source, is positioned within a wireless transmission range of a second device, which may be operatively coupled to an unmanned vehicle. Power and/or data is wirelessly transferred to/from the energy source from/to the unmanned vehicle via the first device and the second device.
14 Citations
18 Claims
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1. A method comprising the steps of:
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positioning a first device and a second device within a wireless transmission range, wherein the second device is operatively connected to an unmanned vehicle, and wherein the first device is operatively connected to an energy source having energy storage, data storage, and a controller that is configured to cause power and data to be sent from the energy source to the unmanned vehicle and is also configured to receive power and data from the unmanned vehicle and route the power and data to the energy storage and the data storage as appropriate; and wirelessly transferring power and data from the energy source to the unmanned vehicle via the first device and the second device, wherein the first device and the second device are coils, wherein the step of positioning a first device operatively connected to the energy source and a second device operatively coupled to the unmanned vehicle within a wireless transmission range is performed autonomously using a signal from the unmanned vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A system comprising:
a first device operatively connected to an energy source having energy storage and data storage, the first device comprising a housing having a processor and one or more sensors therein, the processor containing circuitry configured to establish communication with an unmanned vehicle and position the first device within a wireless transmission range to a second device operatively connected to the unmanned vehicle, wherein upon such positioning the processor is further configured to initiate wireless transfer of power and data from the energy source to the unmanned vehicle via the first device and the second device, wherein the first device and the second device are coils, wherein the processor is also configured to receive power and data from the unmanned vehicle and route the power and data to the energy storage and the data storage as appropriate, and wherein the circuitry within the processor is configured to position the first device within the wireless transmission range of the second device autonomously using a signal from the unmanned vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A system comprising:
a first device operatively connected to an underwater energy source having energy storage and data storage, the first device comprising a housing having a processor therein, the processor containing circuitry configured to establish communication with an unmanned underwater vehicle and to position the first device within a wireless transmission range to a second device connected to the unmanned underwater vehicle, wherein upon such positioning the processor is further configured to initiate wireless transfer of power and data from the underwater energy source to the unmanned underwater vehicle via the first device and the second device, wherein the first device and the second device are coils, wherein the processor is also configured to receive power and data from the unmanned vehicle and route the power and data to the energy storage and the data storage as appropriate, and wherein the circuitry within the processor is configured to position the first device within the wireless transmission range of the second device autonomously using a signal from the unmanned underwater vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (18)
Specification