Tracking device

• US 6,422,509 B1
• Filed: 11/28/2000
• Issued: 07/23/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 11/28/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Xerox Corporation (Xerox Holdings Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Xerox Corporation (Xerox Holdings Corp.)
• Inventors: Yim, Mark H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Ackun, Jacob K.
• Assistant Examiner(s): MILLER, BENA B
• Application Number:
  US09/722,627
• Time in Patent Office: 602 Days
• Field of Search: 446/175, 446/57, 446/34, 446/36, 446/37, 446/38, 446/58, 244/17.11, 244/17.23, 244/3.21
• US Class Current: 244/3.21
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 13/16 actuated automatically, e.g. responsive to gust detectors
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 27/10 arranged coaxially
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 39/028 Micro-sized aircraft
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 10/13 Flying platforms
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 2101/15 for conventional or electronic warfare
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 2101/30 for imaging, photography or videography
• 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 30/20 Rotors; Rotor supports
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 50/19 using electrically powered motors
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 50/31 generated by photovoltaics
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 50/40 Weight reduction

Abstract

A tracking device includes a motor, top and bottom propellers of opposite sense attached to the stator and rotor of the motor for rotation in opposite directions. Target sensors are provided on the propellers and signals from the target sensors are supplied to a controller that controls the rotation of the motor and the propellers. The tracking device also includes a power supply for the motor and the controller.

Claims

1. A tracking device, comprising:

a motor including a rotor and a stator;

a first propeller connected to the rotor;

a second propeller connected to the stator;

a first target sensor on the first propeller;

a second target sensor on the second propeller;

at least one unbalancing structure attached to one of the first and second propellers;

a controller that controls a rotational speed of the motor based on signals provided by the first and second target sensors; and

at least one power supply for the motor and the controller,

wherein the tracking device moves in a helical pattern with a major axis of the helical pattern being vertical.

2. The tracking device according to claim 1, further comprising fins at tip ends of the first propeller tangent to a direction of rotation of the first propeller.

3. The tracking device according to claim 2, wherein the unbalancing structure comprises at least one weight on a fin of the first propeller.

4. The tracking device according to claim 1, wherein the unbalancing structure comprises at least one weight rotatably mounted to the first propeller.

5. The tracking device according to claim 1, wherein a target is a magnetic field, a sound source, a light source, a heat source, an RF radiation source, or a nuclear radiation source.

6. The tracking device according to claim 1, wherein the controller controls the motor to move the tracking device toward a target.

7. The tracking device according to claim 1, wherein the controller controls the motor to move the tracking device away from a target.

8. The tracking device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one power supply is a battery.

9. The tracking device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one power supply is a solar cell.

10. The tracking device according to claim 1, wherein as a spinning axis of the tracking device points more towards a target, the speed differential increases due to an increase in the signal provided by first target sensor, and as the spinning axis points away from the target, the speed differential decreases.

11. The tracking device according to claim 1, wherein the first propeller and the second propeller are located at opposing ends of the tracking device and wherein the first propeller rotates in a direction opposite a rotation direction of the second propeller.

12. The tracking device according to claim 1, wherein the first propeller comprises propeller blades extending from a shaft at the first propeller and a fin attached to a tip of each of the propeller blades, which fins are tangent to a direction of rotation of the first propeller.