Methods and systems for detecting and resolving failure events when raising and lowering a payload
US10000285B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 22, 2016 |
| Grant date | Jun 19, 2018 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 22, 2036 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB66D2700/0141
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
Described herein are methods and systems for detecting and correcting errors when picking up and lowering a payload coupled to a tether of a winch system arranged on an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). For example, the winch system may include a motor for winding and unwinding the tether from a spool, and the UAV's control system may control the motor to lower the tether and monitor an electric current supplied to the motor to determine whether a payload has detached from the tether. This process of lowering the tether and monitoring the motor current may be repeated up to a predetermined number of times, at which point the control system may operate the motor to detach the tether from the spool, leaving both the tether and the payload behind.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.