VEHICLE AND UAV REFUELING AND RECHARGING SYSTEM
First Claim
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1. A method of refueling an unmanned aerial vehicle using a moving vehicle comprising the steps of:
- an unmanned aerial vehicle computer determining fuel is needed;
the unmanned aerial vehicle computer sending a query to a server computer for an available refuel docking platform on a moving vehicle;
the unmanned aerial vehicle computer reserving an available refuel docking platform on the moving vehicle;
the unmanned aerial vehicle computer receiving information regarding docking the unmanned aerial vehicle on the available refuel docking platform on the moving vehicle;
the unmanned aerial vehicle computer instructing the unmanned aerial vehicle to fly to the moving vehicle with the reserved, available refuel docking platform;
the unmanned aerial vehicle computer pairing the unmanned aerial vehicle with the refuel docking platform;
the unmanned aerial vehicle computer monitoring refueling of the unmanned aerial vehicle from the moving vehicle; and
the unmanned aerial vehicle computer unpairing the unmanned aerial vehicle from the refuel docking platform of the moving vehicle once the unmanned aerial vehicle has been refueled.
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Abstract
A drone or UAV can use a mobile docking platform mounted to a vehicle to receive fuel. The fuel provided from the vehicle to the UAV. By using a mobile docking platform mounted to a mobile vehicle, the UAVs can fly for a larger period of time without having to return to a home or base for fuel and/or refuel when the UAV is not needed for a main task.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. A method of refueling an unmanned aerial vehicle using a moving vehicle comprising the steps of:
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an unmanned aerial vehicle computer determining fuel is needed; the unmanned aerial vehicle computer sending a query to a server computer for an available refuel docking platform on a moving vehicle; the unmanned aerial vehicle computer reserving an available refuel docking platform on the moving vehicle; the unmanned aerial vehicle computer receiving information regarding docking the unmanned aerial vehicle on the available refuel docking platform on the moving vehicle; the unmanned aerial vehicle computer instructing the unmanned aerial vehicle to fly to the moving vehicle with the reserved, available refuel docking platform; the unmanned aerial vehicle computer pairing the unmanned aerial vehicle with the refuel docking platform; the unmanned aerial vehicle computer monitoring refueling of the unmanned aerial vehicle from the moving vehicle; and the unmanned aerial vehicle computer unpairing the unmanned aerial vehicle from the refuel docking platform of the moving vehicle once the unmanned aerial vehicle has been refueled. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A computer program product for refueling an unmanned aerial vehicle using a moving vehicle, a computer comprising at least one processor, one or more memories, one or more computer readable storage media, the computer program product comprising a computer readable storage medium having program instructions embodied therewith, the program instructions executable by the computer to perform a method comprising:
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determining, by an unmanned aerial vehicle computer, fuel is needed; sending, by the unmanned aerial vehicle computer, a query to a server computer for an available refuel docking platform on a moving vehicle; reserving, by the unmanned aerial vehicle computer, an available refuel docking platform on the moving vehicle; receiving, by the unmanned aerial vehicle computer, information regarding docking the unmanned aerial vehicle on the available refuel docking platform on the moving vehicle; instructing, by the unmanned aerial vehicle computer, the unmanned aerial vehicle to fly to the moving vehicle with the reserved, available refuel docking platform; pairing, by the unmanned aerial vehicle computer, the unmanned aerial vehicle with the refuel docking platform; monitoring, by the unmanned aerial vehicle computer refueling of the unmanned aerial vehicle from the moving vehicle; and unpairing, by the unmanned aerial vehicle computer, the unmanned aerial vehicle from the refuel docking platform of the moving vehicle once the unmanned aerial vehicle has been refueled. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A computer system for refueling an unmanned aerial vehicle using a moving vehicle, comprising a computer comprising at least one processor, one or more memories, one or more computer readable storage media having program instructions executable by the computer to perform the program instructions comprising:
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determining, by an unmanned aerial vehicle computer, fuel is needed; sending, by the unmanned aerial vehicle computer, a query to a server computer for an available refuel docking platform on a moving vehicle; reserving, by the unmanned aerial vehicle computer, an available refuel docking platform on the moving vehicle; receiving, by the unmanned aerial vehicle computer, information regarding docking the unmanned aerial vehicle on the available refuel docking platform on the moving vehicle; instructing, by the unmanned aerial vehicle computer, the unmanned aerial vehicle to fly to the moving vehicle with the reserved, available refuel docking platform; pairing, by the unmanned aerial vehicle computer, the unmanned aerial vehicle with the refuel docking platform; monitoring, by the unmanned aerial vehicle computer refueling of the unmanned aerial vehicle from the moving vehicle; and unpairing, by the unmanned aerial vehicle computer, the unmanned aerial vehicle from the refuel docking platform of the moving vehicle once the unmanned aerial vehicle has been refueled. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification