Battery charging arrangement for unmanned aerial vehicle utilizing the electromagnetic field associated with utility power lines to generate power to inductively charge energy supplies
US7714536B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 5, 2007 |
| Grant date | May 11, 2010 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 8, 2028 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02T90/14
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A method and apparatus for charging energy supplies in an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). The present invention relates to a UAV that comprises an inductive charging device that utilizes the electromagnetic field emanated by overhead/utility power lines, to charge the energy supplies. The UAV also includes a releasable latch for holding power lines to allow for the perching of the UAV on power lines during the charging process. The latch and the inductive charging device may be provided on a single device, a battery augmentation trap (BAT). The UAV may be perched in an upright orientation to allow for takeoff after the charging of energy supplies on the power line.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.