Unmanned vehicle and system

• US 8,788,119 B2
• Filed: 12/09/2010
• Issued: 07/22/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 12/09/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Original Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Inventors: Tillotson, Brian J., Ross, Tamaira E., Vian, John L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Tarcza, Thomas
• Assistant Examiner(s): ALHARBI, ADAM MOHAMED
• Application Number:
  US12/964,500
• Publication Number:
  US 20120150364A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,321 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 701/3
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 10/13 Flying platforms
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 10/14 with four distinct rotor axes, e.g. quadcopters
• 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 50/19 using electrically powered motors
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 50/31 generated by photovoltaics
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 50/34 In-flight charging photovoltaics B64U50/31
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 50/35 by wireless transmission, e.g. by induction
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/101 specially adapted for aircraft

Abstract

An unmanned vehicle is provided. The unmanned vehicle includes a navigation system configured to navigate the unmanned vehicle relative to a beam of energy emitted from a beam source, a power receiver configured to receive energy from the beam, and an energy storage system configured to store received energy for use in selectively powering the unmanned vehicle.

Claims

1. An unmanned vehicle comprising:

a navigation system configured to navigate said unmanned vehicle relative to a beam of energy emitted from a beam source;

a power receiver configured to receive energy from the beam;

an energy storage system configured to store received energy for use in selectively powering said unmanned vehicle; and

a position control system configured to measure a power output of said power receiver, and a time associated with each power output measurement, and enable said unmanned vehicle to be finely positioned.

2. An unmanned vehicle in accordance with claim 1, wherein said unmanned vehicle is an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV).

3. An unmanned vehicle in accordance with claim 1 further comprising a vehicle propulsion system configured to propel said unmanned vehicle, said vehicle propulsion system comprising at least one motor and at least one positioning device.

4. An unmanned vehicle in accordance with claim 1 further comprising:

a control system; and

a vehicle propulsion system, said control system configured to control a position of said unmanned vehicle using said vehicle propulsion system.

5. An unmanned vehicle in accordance with claim 4, wherein said control system comprises a power management and distribution system for use in selectively allocating power to said unmanned vehicle.

6. An unmanned vehicle in accordance with claim 1, wherein said power receiver comprises at least one of a photovoltaic array and a rectenna.

7. An unmanned vehicle in accordance with claim 1, wherein said navigation system is further configured to:

measure an amount of energy stored in said energy storage system; and

guide said unmanned vehicle to the beam of energy when the energy stored is below a pre-determined threshold.

8. An unmanned vehicle in accordance with claim 1, wherein said navigation system is further configured to utilize at least one of global positioning system (GPS) coordinates, visual cues, and radio signals, to navigate said unmanned vehicle.

9. An unmanned vehicle in accordance with claim 1, wherein said position control system comprises an inertial measurement unit and at least one sensor configured to measure a relative position of said unmanned vehicle.

10. An unmanned vehicle in accordance with claim 9, wherein said at least one sensor comprises a camera configured to detect at least one of object features and optical beacons.

11. A vehicle system comprising:

a beam source configured to emit a beam of energy, said beam source comprising a position reference system that comprises at least one of a local reference signal and a set of object features visible to a camera coupled to said unmanned vehicle, said position reference system configured to substantially center said unmanned vehicle relative to said beam; and

an unmanned vehicle comprising a navigation system, a power receiver, and an energy storage system, said navigation system configured to position said unmanned vehicle relative to the beam, said power receiver configured to receive energy from the beam, said energy storage system configured to store received energy for use in powering said unmanned vehicle.

12. A system in accordance with claim 11, wherein said beam source comprises a locating system configured to aid said unmanned vehicle in locating the beam.

13. A system in accordance with claim 12, wherein said locating system comprises a global positioning system (GPS).

14. A system in accordance with claim 11, wherein said beam source comprises a proximity activation system, said beam source activated when said unmanned vehicle is within a predefined distance from said beam source.

15. A system in accordance with claim 14, wherein said proximity activation system comprises at least one of an acoustic sensor configured to recognize a sound emitted by said unmanned vehicle, a visual sensor configured to recognize an appearance of said unmanned vehicle, and a radio configured to receive positional data from said unmanned vehicle.

16. An unmanned vehicle comprising:

a navigation system configured to navigate said unmanned vehicle relative to a beam of energy emitted from a beam source;

a power receiver configured to receive energy from the beam;

an energy storage system configured to store received energy for use in selectively powering said unmanned vehicle; and

a position control system comprising an inertial measurement unit and at least one sensor configured to measure a relative position of said unmanned vehicle, said at least one sensor comprising a camera configured to detect at least one of object features and optical beacons, said position control system configured to enable said unmanned vehicle to be finely positioned.

17. A vehicle system comprising:

a beam source configured to emit a beam of energy, said beam source comprising a proximity activation system that comprises at least one of an acoustic sensor configured to recognize a sound emitted by said unmanned vehicle, a visual sensor configured to recognize an appearance of said unmanned vehicle, and a radio configured to receive positional data from said unmanned vehicle; and

an unmanned vehicle comprising a navigation system, a power receiver, and an energy storage system, said navigation system configured to position said unmanned vehicle relative to the beam, said power receiver configured to receive energy from the beam, said energy storage system configured to store received energy for use in powering said unmanned vehicle, wherein said beam source is activated when said unmanned vehicle is within a predefined distance from said beam source.