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UAV routing in utility rights of way

  • US 10,580,310 B2
  • Filed: 07/11/2017
  • Issued: 03/03/2020
  • Est. Priority Date: 07/11/2016
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A method for regulating flight paths of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) each with an autopilot, the method comprising the steps of:

  • defining a virtual tunnel above and along waypoints defined by the supports for a power line, the virtual tunnel including a first and second virtual channels along the power line;

    wherein a first plurality of flight paths each defined by an altitude and lateral offset from said waypoints within the first virtual channel are along a first direction generally along the power line;

    a second plurality of flight paths each defined by an altitude and lateral offset from said waypoints within the second virtual channel are along a second direction generally along the power line; and

    the first direction is opposite to the second direction;

    embarking by a first UAV on a first selected flight path of the first plurality of flight paths along the first direction, the first UAV moving along the first selected flight path;

    detecting by a first location sensor of the first UAV a location of the first UAV; and

    comparing with said autopilot of the first UAV the location of the first UAV with the first selected flight path.

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