Delivery drop rate modulation
US10071804B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 28, 2015 |
| Grant date | Sep 11, 2018 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 30, 2035 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB64U2101/67
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) can deliver a package to a delivery destination. Packages delivered by a UAV may be lowered towards the ground while the UAV continues to fly rather than the UAV landing on the ground and releasing the package. Packages may sway during lowering as a result of wind or movement of the UAV. By modulating a rate of descent of a package, a package sway may mitigated. The lowering mechanism includes wrapping a tether in various directions around the package such that the package rotates in a first and second direction as the package descends. Additionally, a rip-strip lowering mechanism that separates under tension to lower the package and a rappel mechanism that slides the package down a tether may be used. Accordingly, the tether can control a descent of the package assembly.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.