Device and method for use with unmanned aerial vehicles
First Claim
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1. An autonomous battery replacement station for an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), the UAV having a replaceable battery, said station comprising:
- (a) a landing platform configured to receive the UAV, said landing platform comprising a first edge and an opposite second edge;
(b) a conveyor belt positioned adjacent said first edge of said landing platform, said conveyor belt extending from a first end to a second end, said conveyor belt configured to receive the UAV from said landing platform;
(c) a storage location configured to store a replacement battery for the UAV, said storage location proximate said first end of said conveyor belt;
(d) a moveable member operable to sweep across said landing platform from proximate said second edge to proximate said first edge such that the UAV is delivered from said landing platform to said conveyor belt; and
(e) a means for selectively retaining the UAV proximate said second end of said conveyor belt during operation of said conveyor belt.
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Abstract
An autonomous battery replacement station for an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) is provided. The UAV includes a replaceable battery. The station includes (a) a landing platform configured to receive the UAV, (b) a storage location configured to store a replacement battery for the UAV, and (c) a means for swapping the replaceable battery on the UAV with a replacement battery from the storage location.
48 Citations
20 Claims
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1. An autonomous battery replacement station for an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), the UAV having a replaceable battery, said station comprising:
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(a) a landing platform configured to receive the UAV, said landing platform comprising a first edge and an opposite second edge; (b) a conveyor belt positioned adjacent said first edge of said landing platform, said conveyor belt extending from a first end to a second end, said conveyor belt configured to receive the UAV from said landing platform; (c) a storage location configured to store a replacement battery for the UAV, said storage location proximate said first end of said conveyor belt; (d) a moveable member operable to sweep across said landing platform from proximate said second edge to proximate said first edge such that the UAV is delivered from said landing platform to said conveyor belt; and (e) a means for selectively retaining the UAV proximate said second end of said conveyor belt during operation of said conveyor belt. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. An autonomous battery replacement system for an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), the UAV having a replaceable battery, said battery replacement system comprising:
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(a) a landing platform configured to receive the UAV, said landing platform comprising a first edge and an opposite second edge; (b) a conveyor belt positioned adjacent said first edge of said landing platform, said conveyor belt configured to receive the UAV from said landing platform and deliver the UAV to a dock; (c) a moveable member operable to sweep across said landing platform from proximate said second edge to proximate said first edge such that the UAV is delivered from said landing platform to said conveyor belt; and (d) a means for swapping the replaceable battery on the UAV at said dock with a replacement battery. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method of autonomously replacing a replaceable battery in an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) comprising the steps of:
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(a) receiving the UAV upon a landing platform of a battery replacement station, the landing platform including a first edge and an opposite second edge; (b) moving a moveable member from proximate the second edge to proximate the first edge such that the UAV is received by a conveyor belt located along the first edge; (c) transporting the UAV to a battery replacement location using the conveyor belt; (d) detecting a presence of the UAV at the battery replacement location; (e) detaching the replaceable battery from the UAV; and (f) automatically attaching a replacement battery to the UAV. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification