Unmanned aerial vehicle docking system
US10953999B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 16, 2019 |
| Grant date | Mar 23, 2021 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 16, 2039 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB64U2201/20
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An unmanned aerial vehicle docking system can include a docking arm and a docking station. The docking arm can be mounted on the UAV and include a rod with an interface element positioned on top of the rod. The interface element can have charging contacts that are attached to wires that extend down to a charging circuit on the UAV. The docking station can be located separate from the docking arm and have a guidance cone to direct the docking arm to a capture mechanism. Once the interface element is in the capture mechanism, a charging dome is then lowered down onto the top of the interface element to form a circuit between a power source at the docking station and the UAV's battery. Upon completion of the charging process, the charging dome is raised and the capture mechanism releases the interface element of the UAV.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.