Aerial vehicle propulsion modules
First Claim
1. An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) comprising:
- a frame having a plurality of mounting extensions, wherein each of the plurality of mounting extensions has a proximal end and a distal end, wherein each of the proximal ends of the mounting extensions is fixedly joined to the frame, and wherein each of the distal ends of the mounting extensions comprises a connection plate;
a control system provided in association with the frame, wherein the control system comprises at least one computer processor and at least one data store; and
a plurality of propulsion modules, wherein each of the propulsion modules further comprises;
a housing, wherein an external surface of the housing forms a releasable connection with the connection plate at the distal end of one of the plurality of mounting extensions, wherein each of the releasable connections is aerodynamically consistent between the external surfaces of the housings and the connection plates;
a direct current (DC) brushless motor disposed within the housing, wherein the DC brushless motor comprises a shaft extending through the housing to an exterior of the housing;
a propeller rotatably mounted to a distal end of the shaft; and
a motor controller disposed within the housing, wherein the motor controller is in communication with the control system.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
An aerial vehicle may be equipped with propulsion modules that include motors, sensors, transceivers, controllers, power sources or other components therein. The propulsion modules may be releasably mounted to the aerial vehicle in a manner that allows a propulsion module to be removed and replaced when one or more of the components within the propulsion module requires maintenance or repairs, thereby enabling the aerial vehicle to return to service promptly. The propulsion modules may communicate via wired or wireless means with one another, or with a central computer system onboard the aerial vehicle. The propulsion modules may be interchangeably installed on each of the aerial vehicles in a class, or on aerial vehicles in different classes. Furthermore, aerial vehicles may be equipped with varying numbers of propulsion modules, as needed, subject to one or more operational requirements or constraints.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) comprising:
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a frame having a plurality of mounting extensions, wherein each of the plurality of mounting extensions has a proximal end and a distal end, wherein each of the proximal ends of the mounting extensions is fixedly joined to the frame, and wherein each of the distal ends of the mounting extensions comprises a connection plate; a control system provided in association with the frame, wherein the control system comprises at least one computer processor and at least one data store; and a plurality of propulsion modules, wherein each of the propulsion modules further comprises; a housing, wherein an external surface of the housing forms a releasable connection with the connection plate at the distal end of one of the plurality of mounting extensions, wherein each of the releasable connections is aerodynamically consistent between the external surfaces of the housings and the connection plates; a direct current (DC) brushless motor disposed within the housing, wherein the DC brushless motor comprises a shaft extending through the housing to an exterior of the housing; a propeller rotatably mounted to a distal end of the shaft; and a motor controller disposed within the housing, wherein the motor controller is in communication with the control system. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. An aerial vehicle comprising:
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a frame having at least a first mounting extension, wherein a proximal end of the first mounting extension is rigidly joined to the frame, and wherein a distal end of the first mounting extension comprises a first mating interface; and a first propulsion module joined to the first mounting extension by a releasable physical connection, wherein the first propulsion module further comprises; a housing having an external surface and an internal cavity, wherein at least a portion of the external surface is a second mating interface releasably coupled to the first mating interface to form the releasable physical connection; a motor disposed within the internal cavity, wherein the motor comprises a shaft extending through an opening in the housing and having a distal end exterior to the housing; a propeller rotatably mounted to the distal end of the shaft exterior to the housing; and a controller disposed within the internal cavity. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method for operating an aerial vehicle comprising a frame, a mounting extension having a proximal end fixedly joined to the frame, and an onboard control system disposed within the frame,
wherein the method comprises: -
releasably installing a first propulsion module on a distal end of the mounting extension of the aerial vehicle, wherein the first propulsion module comprises; a first housing; a first motor disposed within the first housing, wherein the first motor comprises a first shaft extending through an opening in the first housing; a first propeller rotatably mounted to a distal end of the shaft external to the first housing; a first motor controller disposed within the first housing, wherein the first motor controller is configured to control an operation of the first motor; a first transceiver disposed within the first housing, wherein the first transceiver is in communication with the onboard control system and at least one of the first motor controller or the first motor; and at least one first sensor; transmitting, by the onboard control system, a first instruction to the first transceiver, wherein the first instruction instructs the first motor controller to initiate the operation of the first motor at a first power level; transmitting, by the onboard control system, a second instruction to the first transceiver, wherein the second instruction instructs the first motor controller to terminate the operation of the first motor; determining that the operation of the first motor is terminated; in response to determining that the operation of the first motor is terminated, removing the first propulsion module from the distal end of the mounting extension of the aerial vehicle; and releasably installing a second propulsion module on the distal end of the mounting extension of the aerial vehicle, wherein the second propulsion module comprises; a second housing; a second motor disposed within the second housing, wherein the second motor comprises a second shaft extending through an opening in the second housing; a second propeller rotatably mounted to a distal end of the shaft external to the second housing; a second motor controller disposed within the second housing, wherein the second motor controller is configured to control an operation of the second motor; a second transceiver disposed within the second housing, wherein the second transceiver is in communication with the onboard control system and at least one of the second motor controller or the second motor; and at least one second sensor; determining that the second propulsion module is releasably installed on the distal end of the mounting extension; in response to determining that the second propulsion module is releasably installed on the distal end of the mounting extension, transmitting, by the onboard control system, a second instruction to the second transceiver, wherein the second instruction instructs the second motor controller to initiate the operation of the second motor at a second power level. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification