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Maneuvering a package following in-flight release from an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV)

  • US 9,567,081 B1
  • Filed: 06/26/2015
  • Issued: 02/14/2017
  • Est. Priority Date: 06/26/2015
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. An Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) to launch a package during flight, the UAV comprising:

  • a launch mechanism coupled to the UAV, the launch mechanism configured to apply a predetermined force to a package, the predetermined force to cause the package to be released from the UAV in a second direction that is opposite a first direction of travel of the UAV and commence a vertical descent path to a delivery destination;

    a coupling structure that is coupled to the launch mechanism, the coupling structure configured to selectively couple the package to the launch mechanism during transport from ground level to a launch altitude and a launch geo-location, and to selectively uncouple from the launch mechanism when the UAV reaches the launch altitude and at the launch geo-location; and

    a package launch and control system communicatively coupled to at least the launch mechanism of the UAV, the package launch and control system further comprising;

    one or more processors;

    memory to store instructions executable by the one or more processors;

    one or more sensors to determine flight data and geo-location data of the UAV and the package, wherein the flight data and location data of the package is determined at a time after the package is released from the UAV;

    a radio frequency (RF) module configured to transmit data to the package;

    a package launch module stored in the memory and executable on the one or more processors, the package launch module configured to determine the predetermined force that causes the package to follow the vertical descent path to the delivery destination based at least in part on data from the one or more sensors; and

    a package control surface module stored in the memory and executable on the one or more processors, the package control surface module configured to;

    determine a control to deploy one or more control surfaces on the package that alter the vertical descent path of the package after the package is released from the UAV, wherein the one or more control surfaces are independently deployable; and

    transmit, via the RF module to the package, a signal indicating the control to deploy the one or more control surfaces on the package.

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