Impact protection apparatus
First Claim
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1. An impact protection apparatus for an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), comprising:
- one or more inflatable members configured to be coupled to the UAV and inflatable to reduce forces experienced by the UAV during an impact;
a container coupled to the one or more inflatable members and configured to hold compressed gas;
a control mechanism configured to cause the compressed gas to flow from the container into the one or more inflatable members; and
a controller in communication with the control mechanism,wherein the controller is configured to control the control mechanism to selectively inflate an inflatable member of the one or more inflatable members based on a signal from a remote terminal, wherein the control mechanism is powered by a first power source separate from a second power source configured to provide power to one or more components of the UAV, and wherein the first power source is configured to be automatically recharged during operation of one or more propulsion units of the UAV.
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Abstract
An impact protection apparatus is provided, comprising a gas container configured to hold a compressed gas and an inflatable member configured to be inflated by the gas and function as an airbag of a movable object, such as an aerial vehicle. A valve controls flow of gas from the container to the inflatable member in response to a signal from a valve controller. The valve and valve controller are powered by an independent power source than one or more other systems of the movable object. A safety mechanism may also be provided that, unless deactivated, prevents inflation of the inflatable member.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. An impact protection apparatus for an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), comprising:
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one or more inflatable members configured to be coupled to the UAV and inflatable to reduce forces experienced by the UAV during an impact; a container coupled to the one or more inflatable members and configured to hold compressed gas; a control mechanism configured to cause the compressed gas to flow from the container into the one or more inflatable members; and a controller in communication with the control mechanism, wherein the controller is configured to control the control mechanism to selectively inflate an inflatable member of the one or more inflatable members based on a signal from a remote terminal, wherein the control mechanism is powered by a first power source separate from a second power source configured to provide power to one or more components of the UAV, and wherein the first power source is configured to be automatically recharged during operation of one or more propulsion units of the UAV. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A UAV comprising:
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a vehicle body; one or more inflatable members configured to be coupled to the vehicle body and inflatable to reduce forces experienced by the UAV during an impact; a container coupled to the one or more inflatable members and configured to hold compressed gas; a control mechanism configured to cause the compressed gas to flow from the container into the one or more inflatable members; a controller in communication with the control mechanism; and a remote control device configured to control a movement of the UAV, wherein the controller is configured to control the control mechanism to selectively inflate an inflatable member of the one or more inflatable members based on a signal from the remote control device, wherein the control mechanism is powered by a first power source separate from a second power source configured to provide power to one or more components of the UAV, and wherein the first power source is configured to be automatically recharged during operation of one or more propulsion units of the UAV. - View Dependent Claims (17)
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18. A method for protecting a UAV from an impact, comprising:
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providing one or more inflatable members that are coupled to the UAV, wherein the one or more inflatable members are selectively inflatable to reduce forces experienced by the UAV during the impact; receiving a signal from a remote control device, wherein the remote control device is configured to control a movement of the UAV; causing, in response to the signal from the remote control device and by means of a control mechanism, a compressed gas from a container to flow into an inflatable member of the one or more inflatable members to reduce the forces experienced by the UAV during the impact; powering the control mechanism by a first power source separate from a second power source configured to provide power to one or more components of the UAV; and automatically recharging the first power source during operation of one or more propulsion units of the UAV.
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Specification