Control systems for unmanned aerial vehicles

US11726502B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• TELEDYNE FLIR DETECTION, INC. · US

Inventors

• Samuel A. Johnson · San Carlos, US
• Samir S. Mistry · Billerica, US
• Erika Tsutsumi · Boston, US
• Chad Thomson · Louisville, US
• John Aleman · Somerville, US
• Bretton E. Anderson · Westford, US
• Felipe Bohorquez · Cambridge, US
• Terrance Bordelon · Danvers, US
• Ben Corman · Danvers, US
• Dion Gonano · Danvers, US
• Laura Major · Danvers, US
• Ben Minerd · Danvers, US
• Megan Mitchell · Danvers, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Apr 4, 2022
• Grant date: Aug 15, 2023
• Expiry date: Apr 4, 2042

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G01S13/933
• WIPO field: Transport
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

A method for controlling an unmanned aerial vehicle within a flight operating space. The unmanned aerial vehicle includes one or more sensor arrays on each spar. The method includes determining, using a plurality of sensor arrays, a flight path for the unmanned aerial vehicle. The method also includes receiving, by at least one sensor array of the plurality of sensor arrays, sensor data identifying at least one object in the operating space. The sensor data is transmitted over a communications bus connecting components of the UAV. The method further includes determining, by one or more processors onboard the unmanned aerial vehicle, a flight path around the at least one object. The method also includes generating, by the one or more onboard processors, a first signal to cause the unmanned aerial vehicle to navigate within the operating space around the at least one object.