Apparatuses for releasing a payload from an aerial tether
US10315764B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 10, 2016 |
| Grant date | Jun 11, 2019 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 21, 2037 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB64U2201/20
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
Described herein are apparatuses for passively releasing a payload of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). An example apparatus may include, among other features, (i) a housing; (ii) a swing arm coupled to the housing, wherein the swing arm is operable to toggle between an open position and a closed position; (iii) a spring mechanism adapted to exert a force on the swing arm from the open position toward the closed position; (iv) a receiving system of a UAV adapted to receive the housing, wherein the receiving system causes the swing arm to be arranged in the open position; and (v) a spool operable to unwind and wind a tether coupled to the housing, wherein unwinding the tether causes a descent of the housing from the receiving system, and wherein winding the tether causes an ascent of the housing to the receiving system.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.