Patent · US Active

Articulated magnet-bearing legs for UAV landing on curved surfaces

US11097796B2 · kind B2 · utility

7Cited by
4References
32Claims
0Family size

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Key dates

Filing dateNov 19, 2019
Grant dateAug 24, 2021
Priority date
Expiry dateMar 18, 2040

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG08G5/57
  • WIPO fieldMeasurement
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) for landing and perching on a curved ferromagnetic surface is provided. The UAV includes a plurality of articulated legs. Each articulated leg includes: a magnet configured to magnetically attach to the curved ferromagnetic surface; and a magnetic foot for housing the magnet and configured to magnetically articulate towards and attach to the curved ferromagnetic surface using the magnet in a perpendicular orientation with respect to the curved ferromagnetic surface, in response to the UAV approaching the curved ferromagnetic surface, in order to land the UAV on the curved ferromagnetic surface and for the UAV to perch on the curved ferromagnetic surface after the landing. The magnetic foot is configured to remain magnetically attached to the curved ferromagnetic surface while the UAV is perched on the curved ferromagnetic surface.

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