Patent · US Active

Thruster based locomotion for perched unmanned aerial vehicles

US11077935B2 · kind B2 · utility

2Cited by
6References
17Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateAug 28, 2017
Grant dateAug 3, 2021
Priority date—
Expiry dateSep 28, 2039

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG05D2109/50
  • WIPO fieldTransport
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A system for landing and locomoting on a surface of a structure comprises an unmanned aerial vehicle having a plurality of independently controllable thrusters and an undercarriage including a frame with wheels at corners. The undercarriage further includes a plurality of bars pivotally coupled at respective first ends to the frame and coupled at respective second ends to the unmanned aerial vehicle; wherein the unmanned aerial vehicle is operative to differentially activate the plurality of thrusters so as to tilt with respect to the frame of the undercarriage and to cause a net resultant force on the undercarriage to locomote on the surface of the structure.

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