Airborne drone delivery network and method of operating same

• US 9,868,526 B2
• Filed: 10/13/2015
• Issued: 01/16/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 10/15/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Flight of the Century, Inc., W.Morrison Consulting Group, Inc.
• Original Assignee: W.Morrison Consulting Group, Inc.
• Inventors: Yates, William M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Woldemaryam, Assres H
• Application Number:
  US14/882,137
• Publication Number:
  US 20160107750A1
• Time in Patent Office: 826 Days
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 10/13 Flying platforms
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 10/25 Fixed-wing aircraft VTOL aircraft B64U10/20
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 2101/60 for transporting passengers; for transporting goods other than weapons
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 2201/102 adapted for flying in formations
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 2201/104 using satellite radio beacon positioning systems, e.g. GPS
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 2201/20 Remote controls
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 80/80 by vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 80/82 Airborne vehicles

Abstract

An airborne drone delivery network and method of operating same that provides an effective system to deliver items to a set number of delivery locations using drones in which the drone flight path is minimized and wherein the drones may be easily retrieved and reused for delivery of additional items.

Claims

1. A method for using an airborne drone to deliver a package to a delivery destination comprising:

affixing a first package to the drone and placing the drone inside of, or attaching the drone to, a mothership;

flying the mothership on a first route in proximity to a first delivery destination;

jettisoning the drone with the first package from the mothership,

wherein the drone with the first package navigates to the first delivery destination and delivers the first package;

collecting the drone mid-air by the mothership;

after collecting the drone, flying the mothership on a second route in proximity of a second delivery destination;

affixing a second package to the drone while inside of or attached to the mothership;

jettisoning the drone with the second package from the mothership,

wherein the drone with the second package navigates to the second delivery destination.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the drone navigates to the first and second delivery destinations autonomously.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the drone navigation is accomplished by preprogrammed GPS coordinates.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the drone lands at the first or second delivery destination.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the drone uses a parachute during one or more phases of flight.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the drone uses a thruster during one of more phases of flight.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the first or the second route of the mothership is optimized to minimize energy use for the jettisoning and collection of one or more delivery drones.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein collecting the drone comprises a step of electrically connecting the drone to the mothership;

and

transferring an electrical charge from the mothership to the drone before the drone is jettisoned with the second package.

9. A method for using at least one drone to deliver at least one package to at least one destination comprising:

affixing at least a first package to the at least one drone and placing the at least one drone inside of, or attaching the at least one drone to, a mothership;

flying the mothership on a first route in proximity to the at least a first delivery destination;

jettisoning the at least one drone with the at least first package from the mothership;

wherein the at least one drone navigates to the at least a first delivery destination, lands to deliver the at least first package and takes-off thereafter;

collecting the at least one drone mid-air;

affixing during flight at least a second package to the at least one drone after the at least one drone has been collected;

jettisoning the at least one drone with the second package while on a second route proximate to at least a second delivery destination,

wherein the at least one drone with the second package navigates to the at least a second delivery destination.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the at least one drone is collected mid-air by the mothership from which the at least one drone was previously jettisoned.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein the at least one drone is collected mid-air by a cable.

12. The method of claim 9, wherein the at least one drone is collected by a net.

13. The method of claim 9, further comprising transferring an electrical charge to the at least one drone after the at least one drone is collected and before the at least one drone is jettisoned with the second package.

14. A system for delivering one or more packages to a delivery destination comprising:

one or more delivery drones with apparatus for attaching and releasing one or more packages;

a mothership with an apparatus for attaching and releasing the one or more delivery drones and with mechanical means for pairing one or more packages with the one or more delivery drones;

a processor for calculating points along a route for the mothership to jettison the one or more delivery drones; and

wherein the mothership flies along the route and jettisons the one or more delivery drones as determined by the processor.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the one or more delivery drones is equipped with an on-board navigation system.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the on-board navigation system comprises GPS.

17. The system of claim 14, wherein the processor is located on-board the mothership.

18. The system of claim 14, wherein the processor is located in a dispatch center.

19. The system of claim 14, wherein the apparatus for attaching and releasing the one or more delivery drones includes an electrical connection.

20. The system of claim 14, wherein the mothership further comprises an apparatus for replacing the energy stores of at least one delivery drone.