Systems and methods for charging, transporting, and operating flying machines

US11214368B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Verity AG · CH

Inventors

• Federico Augugliaro · Zürich, CH
• Raffaello D'Andrea · Ithaca, US
• Markus Hehn · Zürich, CH
• Mark W. Mueller · Cedar Park, US
• Philipp Reist · Zürich, CH
• Markus Waibel · Zürich, CH

Key dates

• Filing date: Dec 22, 2020
• Grant date: Jan 4, 2022
• Expiry date: Dec 22, 2040

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y02T90/16
• WIPO field: Transport
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

A flying machine storage container is provided that comprises multiple charging stations and a clamping mechanism. The clamping mechanism is configured to secure flying machines in the charging stations and securely close charging circuits between the storage container and the flying machines. A system for launching flying machines is also provided. The system comprises two regions and a transition region between the two regions. The two regions each constrain the positioning of a flying machine and the transition region enables a flying machine to move from the first region to the second region to reach an exit. A flying machine having sufficient performance capabilities will be able to successfully launch. Centralized and decentralized communication architectures are also provided for communicating data between a central control system, multiple storage containers, and multiple stored flying machines stored at each of the storage containers.