Aerial Vehicle Refueling System incorporating a Universal Refueling Interface

• US 20170334581A1
• Filed: 05/20/2016
• Published: 11/23/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 05/20/2016
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Michael White, Miles Austin
• Original Assignee: Michael White, Miles Austin
• Inventors: White, Michael, Austin, Miles
• Application Number:
  US15/160,071
• Publication Number:
  US 20170334581A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2200/10 Air crafts
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/80 Exchanging energy storage elements, e.g. removable batteries
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 2221/00 Electric power distribution systems onboard aircraft
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 37/30 Fuel systems for specific fuels
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 47/00 Equipment not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: B64F 1/007 Helicopter portable landing pads
• CPC Class Codes: B64F 1/04 for launching aircraft
• CPC Class Codes: B64F 1/22 for handling aircraft
• CPC Class Codes: B64F 1/28 Liquid-handling installations specially adapted for fuelling stationary aircraft
• CPC Class Codes: B64F 1/36 Other airport installations ground installations for de-icing aircraft B64F5/20
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 10/10 Rotorcrafts
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 10/13 Flying platforms
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 50/00 Propulsion; Power supply
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 50/19 using electrically powered motors
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 80/25 for recharging batteries; for refuelling
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 2220/20 Batteries in motive systems, e.g. vehicle, ship, plane
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 2250/20 Fuel cells in motive systems, e.g. vehicle, ship, plane
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 Energy storage using batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/50 Fuel cells
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/70 Energy storage systems for electromobility, e.g. batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/7072 : Electromobility specific charging systems or methods for batteries, ultracapacitors, supercapacitors or double-layer capacitors
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/12 : Electric charging stations
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/14 : Plug-in electric vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/40 : Application of hydrogen technology to transportation, e.g. using fuel cells

Abstract

A system for autonomously replacing batteries or fuel cells on small aerial vehicles such as Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) or radio-controlled aircraft (RC) is described. At the core of this system is a “universal battery receptacle” that can be added to a variety of unmanned aircraft platforms and provides a uniform interface for battery or fuel cell replacement in the form of a commensurately designed “universal fuel cell”.

Additionally, a system is described through which an aerial vehicle can be accepted, manipulated, the batteries replaced, and the vehicle re-launched, all without direct user intervention. Such systems can be deployed across a geographic area to increase the range of aerial vehicles without extensive ground support personnel.

Claims

1. A method of standardizing the battery receptacle over a range of aerial vehicle designs such that a single refueling platform can be used to service a range of vehicles and applications;

where it is understood that “

battery”

in this sense could represent a variety of aerial vehicle energy storage methods (DC chemical cell, hydrogen fuel cell, combustible gas, etc.) in a standardized package.

4. A method of claim 1 wherein a standardized fuel cell housing is used for automated extraction and replacement of universal fuel cells.

5. A method of claim 1 wherein any one of many fuel cell designs, technologies (battery chemistry or liquid fuel), or specifications (such as weight and cost) are standardized for automated refueling of aerial vehicles.

2. A method for standardizing aerial vehicle energy storage devices such that autonomous or largely automated refueling of a variety of vehicles is enabled.

6. A method for claim 2 wherein the universal battery receptacle provides both energy storage access and mechanical interfacing to a handling system for small aerial vehicles.

7. A method of claim 2 wherein data associated with the aerial vehicle, its history, or energy consumption is stored or coded into the battery receptacle for enabling automated handling, refueling, or control.

8. A method for claim 2 wherein the universal battery receptacle enables automated vending of fuel to a small aerial vehicle.

3. A method of establishing an automated or autonomous landing pad system that accepts, refuels, and re-launches small aerial vehicles that are equipped with a universal battery receptacle or receptacles.

9. A method of claim 3 wherein an aerial vehicle is recognized and accepted for refueling based on communicated information such as ownership, account status, and vehicle design.

10. A method for claim 3 wherein the automated refueling pad is an indoor facility that protects aerial vehicles from weather and elements prior to, during, and/or after refueling or handling.

11. A method of claim 3 wherein a plurality of automated refueling platforms are installed across a geographic area, thereby expanding the range of aerial vehicles.

12. A method of claim 3 whereby the automated refueling platform could optionally be mounted on a wheeled base that would enable its transport and relocation.