UAV routing in utility rights of way
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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Abstract
Using power line rights of way for UAV routing provides a direct, uninterrupted, aerially clear path to the vast majority of lots and buildings from nearby substations and generating stations. Segmenting or separating the UAV traffic by airframe glide ratio improves safety for people on the ground and utilization of the limited airspace. Further segmenting UAV traffic by airframe speed and size allows greater traffic throughput.
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Citations
22 Claims
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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:
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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. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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Specification