Patent · US Active

Replenishment station for aerial vehicle with robotic device and conveyor

US10974911B2 · kind B2 · utility

11Cited by
11References
20Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateDec 22, 2017
Grant dateApr 13, 2021
Priority date
Expiry dateMay 17, 2039

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY02T90/16
  • WIPO fieldTransport
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

Stations for deployment, recharging and/or maintenance of a plurality of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are disclosed herein. Such deployment stations can be implemented in a container that includes a robotic arm and a conveyor system. The robotic arm can secure a UAV hovering outside the station, move the UAV inside the station, and transfer the UAV to the conveyor. The conveyor can couple to and move multiple UAVs. Further, charging systems may be integrated in such deployment stations to charge UAVs when coupled to and moving along the conveyer. Further, process pieces may be utilized to simplify mechanical and electrical interfacing between a UAV, the robotic arm, the conveyor, the charging system and/or other systems at the UAV station.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.