Systems and methods for UAV battery power backup
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A UAV comprising:
- a propulsion unit configured to effect movement of the UAV; and
a power unit onboard the UAV comprising;
a first battery that powers (1) the propulsion unit and (2) a power consuming unit of the UAV; and
a second battery that powers the power consuming unit of the UAV, wherein the power unit switches between (a) a first mode wherein the first battery is providing power to (1) the propulsion unit and (2) the power consuming unit and (b) a second mode wherein the second battery is providing power to the power consuming unit, and not providing power to the propulsion unit.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Systems and methods are provided for swapping the battery on an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) while providing continuous power to at least one system on the UAV. The UAV may be able to identify and land on an energy provision station autonomously. The UAV may take off and/or land on the energy provision station. The UAV may communicate with the energy provision station. The energy provision station may store and charge batteries for use on a UAV. The UAV and/or the energy provision station may have a backup energy source to provide continuous power to the UAV.
-
Citations
30 Claims
-
1. A UAV comprising:
- a propulsion unit configured to effect movement of the UAV; and
a power unit onboard the UAV comprising;a first battery that powers (1) the propulsion unit and (2) a power consuming unit of the UAV; and a second battery that powers the power consuming unit of the UAV, wherein the power unit switches between (a) a first mode wherein the first battery is providing power to (1) the propulsion unit and (2) the power consuming unit and (b) a second mode wherein the second battery is providing power to the power consuming unit, and not providing power to the propulsion unit. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
- a propulsion unit configured to effect movement of the UAV; and
-
15. A method of providing energy to a UAV, said method comprising:
-
powering (1) a propulsion unit, and (2) a power consuming unit of the UAV with an onboard first battery when the UAV is in a first mode; powering the power consuming unit of the UAV with a second battery onboard of the UAV without powering the propulsion unit with the second battery when the UAV is in a second mode, wherein the first battery is not providing power to the UAV when the UAV is in the second mode. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
-
-
23. A method of providing energy to a UAV, said method comprising:
-
powering (1) a propulsion unit, and (2) a power consuming unit of the UAV with a first battery onboard the UAV; charging a second battery onboard of the UAV with the first battery; powering the power consuming unit of the UAV with the second battery alone; and stop powering, by the first battery, (1) the propulsion unit, and (2) the power consuming unit of the UAV. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
-
Specification