Patent · US Active

Safe emergency landing of a UAV

US9274529B2 · kind B2 · utility

37Cited by
0References
18Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateFeb 21, 2013
Grant dateMar 1, 2016
Priority date
Expiry dateFeb 21, 2033

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB64U2201/20
  • WIPO fieldControl
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

Method for autonomous safe emergency landing of a powered unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) in the event of an engine failure. A landing approach trajectory is generated, including a downwind leg, initiating at an initiation point of the trajectory, an upwind leg, terminating at a selected touchdown point, and a U-turn leg, joining between the downwind leg and the upwind leg. The UAV is directed to the initiation point to follow the downwind leg. A glide ratio of the UAV is repeatedly determined based on current flight conditions. A current turning point is repeatedly determined along the downwind leg based on the determined glide ratio, the U-turn leg initiating at the current turning point. When the UAV arrives at the current turning point, the UAV is directed to follow the U-turn leg and the upwind leg, for landing the UAV at the selected touchdown point.

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