Home station for unmanned aerial vehicle

• US 10,683,102 B2
• Filed: 02/20/2019
• Issued: 06/16/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 05/10/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Wing Aviation LLC (Alphabet Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Wing Aviation LLC (Alphabet Inc.)
• Inventors: Cohen, Joanna, Dormiani, Parsa, Fleck, Mathias Samuel, Burgess, James Ryan, Mullaney, Sean
• Primary Examiner(s): Green, Richard R.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Fabula, Michael A.
• Application Number:
  US16/280,476
• Publication Number:
  US 20190248509A1
• Time in Patent Office: 482 Days
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 39/024 of the remote controlled vehicle type, i.e. RPV
• CPC Class Codes: B64F 1/00 Ground or aircraft-carrier-deck installations specially adapted for captive aircraft B64F3/00
• CPC Class Codes: B64F 1/025 using decelerating or arresting beds
• CPC Class Codes: B64F 1/027 using net or mesh
• CPC Class Codes: B64F 1/04 for launching aircraft
• CPC Class Codes: B64F 1/18 Visual or acoustic landing aids taxiing aids B64F1/002
• CPC Class Codes: B64F 1/22 for handling aircraft
• CPC Class Codes: B64F 1/222 for storing aircraft, e.g. in hangars
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 10/14 with four distinct rotor axes, e.g. quadcopters
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 10/25 Fixed-wing aircraft VTOL aircraft B64U10/20
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 2101/60 for transporting passengers; for transporting goods other than weapons
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 2101/66 for retrieving parcels
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 2201/10 autonomous, i.e. by navigating independently from ground or air stations, e.g. by using inertial navigation systems [INS]
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 2201/104 using satellite radio beacon positioning systems, e.g. GPS
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 2201/20 Remote controls
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 30/299 Rotor guards ducted or shrouded rotors B64U30/26; guards used as ground propulsion B64U60/60
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 50/34 In-flight charging photovoltaics B64U50/31
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 50/39 Battery swapping
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 70/30 for capturing UAVs in flight by ground or sea-based arresting gear, e.g. by a cable or a net
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 70/50 Launching from storage containers, e.g. from submarine missile tubes
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 70/60 : Take-off or landing of UAVs from a runway using their own power
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 70/70 : Launching or landing using catapults, tracks or rails launching from storage containers B64U70/50
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 70/95 : Means for guiding the landing UAV towards the platform, e.g. lighting means

Abstract

Described herein are apparatuses that provided various features related to unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). An example apparatus may include, among other features, (i) a launch system for a UAV, (ii) a landing feature that is arranged on the apparatus so as to receive the UAV when the UAV returns from a flight, and (iii) a mechanical battery-replacement system that is configured to (a) remove a first battery from the UAV, and (b) after removal of the first battery, install a second battery in the UAV.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising:

a launch system for an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV);

a landing feature that is arranged on the apparatus so as to receive the UAV when the UAV returns from a flight;

a mechanical battery-replacement system that is configured to (a) remove a first battery from the UAV, and (b) after removal of the first battery, install a second battery in the UAV;

one or more user-interface components, wherein the one or more user-interface components are operable to;

(a) receive information to facilitate delivery of a package to a target location and (b) receive payment for the delivery of the package to the target location;

a package-reception feature configured to receive the package; and

a package-loading mechanism configured to load the received package on the UAV, wherein the launch system is configured to launch the UAV with received package loaded thereon.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus comprises a frame structure that supports the landing feature and the launch system.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the frame structure comprises a roof and a chamber beneath the roof, wherein the launch system is substantially included within the chamber, and wherein the landing feature is arranged on the roof of the frame structure.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the launch system comprises:

a UAV attachment feature within a compartment, wherein the UAV attachment feature connects to a launch mechanism; and

a panel that is moveable to a first position to provide access to the compartment such that the UAV attachment feature is accessible, and is moveable to a second position to restrict access to the compartment.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the launch system requires the panel to be in the second position in order for a launch process to be initiated.

6. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the launch system further comprises a launch tube, and wherein the launch mechanism comprises a rail and a motor configured to move the attachment feature upward through the launch tube such that when the UAV that is attached to the attachment feature the UAV is propelled through an opening at a top end of the launch tube.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the launch system further comprises a launch hatch at the top end of the launch tube, wherein the hatch is configured to open as part of a launch process, and to otherwise remain closed.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the landing feature comprises at least one visual feature to assist a UAV in landing on the landing feature.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the landing feature comprises a zero-impact grass surface on which a UAV can land.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the landing feature comprises a recovery net adjacent to a landing pad, wherein the recovery net is arranged such that when the UAV is in the process of landing, the recovery net guides the UAV towards the landing pad.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a diagnostics system for the UAV, wherein the diagnostics system comprises at least:

(a) an onboard integrated computer and (b) one or more interfaces for acquiring data from the UAV.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the onboard integrated computer is programmed to generate vehicle log data.

13. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising one or more communication systems.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the one or more communication systems comprise a long-range communication system configured for communications with the UAV after the UAV has been launched from the apparatus and is in flight to a target location.

15. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the one or more communication systems comprise a radar system that is operable to receive air-traffic control data.

16. An apparatus comprising:

a launch system for an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV);

a landing feature that is arranged on the apparatus so as to receive the UAV when the UAV returns from a flight; and

a frame structure that comprises a roof and one or more side sections, wherein the one or more side sections and the roof form a human-sized chamber that is at least partially enclosed;

one or more human-operable control interfaces that are physically accessible from within the human-sized chamber, wherein the one or more human-operable control interfaces are operable to control at least the launch system;

one or more user-interface components, wherein the one or more user-interface components are operable to;

(a) receive information to facilitate delivery of a package to a target location and (b) receive payment for the delivery of the package to the target location;

a package-reception feature configured to receive the package; and

a package-loading mechanism configured to load the received package on the UAV, wherein the launch system is configured to launch the UAV with received package loaded thereon;

wherein at least a portion of the launch system is disposed within the human-sized chamber such that the UAV can be loaded onto the launch system from within the human-sized chamber;

wherein the landing feature is at least partially disposed on the roof.

17. The apparatus of claim 16, further comprising a diagnostics system for the UAV, wherein the diagnostics system comprises at least:

(a) an onboard integrated computer and (b) one or more interfaces for acquiring data from a UAV.

18. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the apparatus is configured as a self-service kiosk.