Remotely-Controlled Emergency Aerial Vehicle

• US 20140353422A1
• Filed: 03/28/2013
• Published: 12/04/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 03/15/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Curnell Melvin Sr. Westbrook
• Original Assignee: Curnell Melvin Sr. Westbrook
• Inventors: Westbrook, Curnell Melvin Sr.
• Granted Patent: US 9,022,322 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 244/17.21
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 27/82 characterised by the provision of an auxiliary rotor or fluid-jet device for counter-balancing lifting rotor torque or changing direction of rotorcraft
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 39/024 of the remote controlled vehicle type, i.e. RPV
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 1/12 Releasing
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 45/00 Aircraft indicators or protectors not otherwise provided for camouflage F41H3/00
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 47/08 Arrangements of cameras
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 7/00 Arrangements of military equipment, e.g. armaments, armament accessories, or military shielding, in aircraft; Adaptations of armament mountings for aircraft dropping bombs or the like B64D1/00; armaments or mountings therefor per se F41
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 9/00 Equipment for handling freight; Equipment for facilitating passenger embarkation or the like emergency equipment B64D17/00, B64D19/00, B64D25/00; structures integral with fuselage to facilitate loading, fuselage floors specially adapted for freight, steps mounted on and retractable within aircraft B64C; ground installations B64F
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 10/10 Rotorcrafts
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 10/17 Helicopters flying platforms B64U10/13
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 20/30 for safety, e.g. with frangible components rotor guards B64U30/299
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 2101/00 UAVs specially adapted for particular uses or applications
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 2101/55 for life-saving or rescue operations; for medical use
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 2201/20 Remote controls
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 80/86 Land vehicles

Abstract

Devices, systems and methods for utilizing a remotely-controlled aerial vehicle for emergency situations are disclosed. In an aspect of the present disclosure, a remotely-controlled aerial vehicle consisting of a rotor with interchangeably attached blades, a camera, an antenna for transmitting data, and rescue equipment which may be used to assist an endangered person on location is disclosed. In another aspect, the aerial vehicle further comprises a light source to assist in the use of the device at night, a pressure gun to assist in the delivery of rope or other materials in mountain side situations, an explosive device dropping mechanism, and a cable hoist.

Claims

1. A remotely-controlled emergency aerial vehicle adapted for rescue operations, comprising:

a main rotor having a plurality of removable blades and powered by a power source;

a tail rotor;

a device body housing the power source;

a communications relay configured to send telemetry to a base station and receive instructions from the base station;

a camera, attached to the device body, configured to relay visual data to the base station via the communications relay;

a light source, attached to the device body, configured to provide a movable beam of light capable of illuminating terrain;

a hoist, attached to the device body, the hoist movably connected to a cable and configured to raise and lower the cable during vehicle operation;

a plurality of mechanism sites configured to removably connect the device body to assistance devices which facilitate assisting an endangered person when the aerial vehicle is at a rescue location, the rescue location being the approximate location of the endangered person; and

a pressure gun, attached to the device body, capable of launching a guiding line from the vehicle;

wherein the aerial vehicle is configured for remote control via the base station; and

wherein the aerial vehicle is configured to assist the endangered person when the aerial vehicle is at the rescue location.

2. The aerial vehicle of claim 1, the cable further comprising:

a handle configured for use by the endangered person;

wherein the endangered person may be pulled by the aerial vehicle via the handle.

3. The aerial vehicle of claim 1, the cable further comprising:

a sling configured for use by the endangered person;

wherein the endangered person may be pulled by the aerial vehicle via the sling.

4. The aerial vehicle of claim 1, further comprising:

an audio detection device configured to relay audio data to the base station via the communications relay.

5. The aerial vehicle of claim 4, wherein the audio detection device is attached to an end portion of the cable.

6. The aerial vehicle of claim 1, the cable further comprising:

a hook configured to transport equipment.

7. The aerial vehicle of claim 1 further comprising:

at least one explosive device; and

an explosive device dropping mechanism attached to the device body at one of a plurality of mechanism sites, configured to house the at least one explosive device and release the at least one explosive device.

8. The aerial device of claim 7, wherein the at least one explosive device is configured to clear obstacles via detonation.

9. The aerial device of claim 7, wherein the at least one explosive device is configured to scare away marine animals via detonation.

10. The aerial device of claim 7, wherein the explosive device is released by the explosive device dropping mechanism in response to a signal received by the communications relay.

11. The aerial device of claim 7, the at least one explosive device comprising:

a remote trigger configured to detonate the at least one explosive device in response to receiving a detonate signal from the aerial vehicle.

12. The aerial vehicle of claim 1, wherein the plurality of mechanism sites are configured to communicatively connect the aerial vehicle and the assistance devices.

13. The aerial vehicle of claim 1, wherein the assistance device comprises:

a first aid kit;

wherein the assistance device is configured to deliver the first aid kit to the endangered person.

14. The aerial vehicle of claim 1, wherein the assistance device comprises:

a deployable floatation device;

wherein the assistance device is configured to deliver the deployable floatation device to the endangered person.

15. The aerial vehicle of claim 1, wherein the assistance device comprises:

a plurality of life preservers;

wherein the assistance device is configured to deliver the plurality of life preservers to the endangered person.

16. The aerial vehicle of claim 1, the rotor comprising:

a spring collar configured to measure a mass load being carried by the aerial vehicle.

17. The aerial vehicle of claim 16, wherein the mass load is relayed to the base station via the communications relay.

18. The aerial vehicle of claim 17, wherein the base station is configured to generate an alert when the received mass load is greater than a mass load threshold.

19. A remotely-controlled emergency aerial vehicle system adapted for rescue operations, comprising:

An aerial vehicle comprising;

a main rotor having a plurality of removable blades and powered by a power source;

a tail rotor;

a device body housing the power source;

a first landing skid attached to the device body;

a second landing skid attached to the device body;

a communications relay configured to send telemetry to a base station and receive instructions from the base station;

a camera, attached to the device body, configured to relay visual data to the base station via the communications relay;

a light source, attached to the device body, configured to provide a movable beam of light capable of illuminating terrain;

a hoist, attached to the device body, the hoist movably connected to a cable and configured to raise and lower the cable during vehicle operation;

a plurality of mechanism sites configured to removably connect the device body to assistance devices which facilitate assisting an endangered person when the aerial vehicle is at a rescue location, the rescue location being the approximate location of the endangered person; and

a pressure gun, attached to the device body, capable of launching a guiding line from the vehicle; and

a trailer housing the base station and configured to transport and deploy the aerial vehicle;

wherein the aerial vehicle is configured for remote control via the base station; and

wherein the aerial vehicle is configured to assist the endangered person when the aerial vehicle is at the rescue location.

20. A method of providing assistance to an endangered person at a rescue site via a remotely-controlled aerial vehicle, comprising:

(a) locating a rescue area containing an endangered person;

(b) launching a remotely-controlled rescue aerial vehicle comprising rescue equipment configured to assist the endangered person;

(c) flying the aerial vehicle to the rescue area; and

(d) deploying the rescue equipment from the air.