Modular mounting structure with embedded electrical bus
First Claim
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1. A mounting system for the removable attachment of a payload to an unmanned air vehicle, the mounting system comprising:
- a pair of lower rails disposed adjacent a payload area of the unmanned air vehicle, said lower rails configured to interface with the payload; and
a pair of upper rails disposed adjacent the payload area, said upper rails spaced apart from said lower rails, said upper rails configured to interface with the payload;
wherein the unmanned air vehicle includes an aircraft structure having a left side and a right side, the aircraft structure defining an inner cavity and a payload bay;
wherein the pair of lower rails includes (i) a left lower rail disposed within the inner cavity along the left side of the aircraft structure and (ii) a right lower rail disposed within the inner cavity along the right side of the aircraft structure;
wherein the pair of upper rails includes (i) a left upper rail disposed within the inner cavity along the left side of the aircraft structure and (ii) a right upper rail disposed within the inner cavity along the right side of the aircraft structure;
wherein the pair of lower rails are closer to the payload bay than the pair of upper rails;
wherein the rails are arranged to receive delivery of the payload from a location above the unmanned air vehicle, the payload interfacing with the rails upon being dropped in from above the unmanned air vehicle.
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Abstract
A modular mounting structure is described which allows for the easy installation and removal of various payloads from a vehicle structure. An embedded electrical bus feature further supports the installation of the various payloads into the vehicle structure.
32 Citations
21 Claims
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1. A mounting system for the removable attachment of a payload to an unmanned air vehicle, the mounting system comprising:
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a pair of lower rails disposed adjacent a payload area of the unmanned air vehicle, said lower rails configured to interface with the payload; and a pair of upper rails disposed adjacent the payload area, said upper rails spaced apart from said lower rails, said upper rails configured to interface with the payload; wherein the unmanned air vehicle includes an aircraft structure having a left side and a right side, the aircraft structure defining an inner cavity and a payload bay; wherein the pair of lower rails includes (i) a left lower rail disposed within the inner cavity along the left side of the aircraft structure and (ii) a right lower rail disposed within the inner cavity along the right side of the aircraft structure; wherein the pair of upper rails includes (i) a left upper rail disposed within the inner cavity along the left side of the aircraft structure and (ii) a right upper rail disposed within the inner cavity along the right side of the aircraft structure; wherein the pair of lower rails are closer to the payload bay than the pair of upper rails; wherein the rails are arranged to receive delivery of the payload from a location above the unmanned air vehicle, the payload interfacing with the rails upon being dropped in from above the unmanned air vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 18, 19, 20)
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14. An unmanned air vehicle, comprising:
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an aircraft structure having a left side and a right side, the aircraft structure defining an inner cavity and a payload bay; a pair of lower rails including (i) a left lower rail disposed within the inner cavity along the left side of the aircraft structure and (ii) a right lower rail disposed within the inner cavity along the right side of the aircraft structure; a pair of upper rails including (i) a left upper rail disposed within the inner cavity along the left side of the aircraft structure and (ii) a right upper rail disposed within the inner cavity along the right side of the aircraft structure, the pair of lower rails being closer to the payload bay than the pair of upper rails; and payload mounting devices which individually fasten to the rails at locations along the rails to attach a payload to the unmanned air vehicle; wherein the rails are arranged to receive delivery of the payload from a location above the unmanned air vehicle, the payload interfacing with the rails upon being dropped in from above the unmanned air vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 21)
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Specification