Reactive tether spool
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A device comprising:
- a carriage;
a drum rotatably mounted on the carriage;
a drum connector disposed on the drum;
a signal cable configured to transport power and a control signal, the signal cable having;
a first end of the signal cable configured to connect with the drum connector; and
a UAV connector on a second end of the signal cable, the UAV connector configured to connect with a UAV;
a drum actuator configured to rotate the drum;
a cable drum feed configured to align the signal cable to the drum;
a UAV feed configured to align the signal cable as it exits the device towards the UAV;
a tension sensor configured to measure the tension of the signal cable; and
a controller comprising;
at least one processor;
a tangible medium that is not a transitory propagating signal, the medium comprising instructions configured to cause the at least one processor to;
receive a tension measurement from the tension sensor; and
control the drum actuator to maintain a determined tension on the signal cable while performing at least one of;
dispensing the signal cable;
holding the signal cable steady; and
collecting the signal cable.
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Abstract
A reactive tether spool comprises a drum, a signal cable, a drum actuator, a tension sensor, and a controller. The signal cable transports power and a control signal to a UAV. A controller receives a tension measurement from the tension sensor and controls the drum actuator to maintain a determined tension on the signal cable while performing at least one of the following: dispensing the signal cable; holding the signal cable steady; and collecting the signal cable.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A device comprising:
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a carriage; a drum rotatably mounted on the carriage; a drum connector disposed on the drum; a signal cable configured to transport power and a control signal, the signal cable having; a first end of the signal cable configured to connect with the drum connector; and a UAV connector on a second end of the signal cable, the UAV connector configured to connect with a UAV; a drum actuator configured to rotate the drum; a cable drum feed configured to align the signal cable to the drum; a UAV feed configured to align the signal cable as it exits the device towards the UAV; a tension sensor configured to measure the tension of the signal cable; and a controller comprising; at least one processor; a tangible medium that is not a transitory propagating signal, the medium comprising instructions configured to cause the at least one processor to; receive a tension measurement from the tension sensor; and control the drum actuator to maintain a determined tension on the signal cable while performing at least one of; dispensing the signal cable; holding the signal cable steady; and collecting the signal cable. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification