Methods and apparatus for reconfigurable power exchange for multiple UAV types
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A reconfigurable power station for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV), comprising:
- an enclosure defining a surface;
one or more modular power bays positioned within the enclosure, the modular power bay defining one or more receiving bays for retaining a corresponding swap cartridge;
a landing zone positioned upon the surface and sized to receive one or more UAVs, wherein the landing zone has one or more markers or emitters configured to generate one or more composite images which change in size in a manner corresponding to a proximity of the UAV relative to the landing zone;
a central processor in communication with the one or more markers or emitters; and
a universal swap cartridge processor positionable upon the UAV and which is in communication with the central processor.
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Abstract
A reconfigurable system capable of autonomously exchanging material from unmanned vehicles of various types and sizes. The system comprises an environmental enclosure, a landing area, a universal mechanical system to load and unload material from the unmanned vehicle, and a central processor that manages the aforementioned tasks. The landing area may comprise a one or more visible or non-visible markers/emitters capable of generating composite images to assist in landing the unmanned vehicle upon the reconfigurable, autonomous system.
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Citations
30 Claims
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1. A reconfigurable power station for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV), comprising:
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an enclosure defining a surface; one or more modular power bays positioned within the enclosure, the modular power bay defining one or more receiving bays for retaining a corresponding swap cartridge; a landing zone positioned upon the surface and sized to receive one or more UAVs, wherein the landing zone has one or more markers or emitters configured to generate one or more composite images which change in size in a manner corresponding to a proximity of the UAV relative to the landing zone; a central processor in communication with the one or more markers or emitters; and a universal swap cartridge processor positionable upon the UAV and which is in communication with the central processor. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method of swapping a power supply in an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), comprising:
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receiving a request from a UAV by a reconfigurable power station (RPS); emitting one or more composite images to the UAV via one or more markers or emitters when the UAV is in proximity to a landing zone located on the RPS; changing a size of the one or more composite images to correspond to a proximity of the UAV relative to the landing zone; determining an orientation of the UAV relative to the landing zone after the UAV has landed; removing a first swap cartridge from the UAV via a swapping mechanism within the RPS; and installing a second swap cartridge from the RPS and into the UAV. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A UAV reconfigurable power station (RPS), comprising:
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a dynamic terminal landing system (DTL) configured to support autonomous landing of a UAV on a landing zone, wherein the DTL comprises a UAV landing zone that is configured to support landing, exchanging a swap cartridge, and take-off operations, wherein the UAV landing zone displays one or more composite images having a size which changes to correspond to a proximity of the UAV relative to the landing zone; a power source capable of powering a UAV flight system once on the landing zone; one or more modular power bays (MPBs) capable of housing at least one universal swap cartridge (SC); a universal swap cartridge swapping mechanism configured for manipulating at least one SC; a RPS central processor (CP) configured to support operations of the RPS; and at least one sensor positioned within the RPS. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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Specification