Patent · US Active

Method for autonomous in-flight transfer of a load from a first aerial vehicle to a second aerial vehicle, system comprising a first aerial vehicle and a second aerial vehicle, and aerial vehicles

US12122512B2 · kind B2 · utility

0Cited by

1References

19Claims

0Family size

Assignee

SONY GROUP CORPORATION · JP

Inventors

Henrik Schäfer · Stuttgart, DE
Florian Becker · Clamart, FR

Key dates

Filing date	Jul 28, 2020
Grant date	Oct 22, 2024
Priority date	—
Expiry date	Sep 28, 2040

Classification

Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
CPC primaryB64U2201/10
WIPO fieldTransport
WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A method for autonomous in-flight transfer of a load from a first Aerial Vehicle, AV, to a second AV is provided. Each of the first AV and the second AV includes a frame with a vertical opening for receiving the load. A plurality of rotors are attached to the frame. The method comprising autonomously performing the following in-flight: fastening means of the first AV hold the load in the vertical opening of the first AV such that a bottom end of the load is accessible by the second AV; the second AV approaches the first AV from below in order to couple a fastening means of the second AV to the bottom end of the load; the fastening means of the first AV releases the load after the fastening means of the second AV couples to the bottom end of the load; and the fastening means of the second AV lower the load with respect to the frame of the second AV in order to move the load into a flight position.

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