Patent · US Active

Method and apparatus for extending the operation of an unmanned aerial vehicle

US9551989B2 · kind B2 · utility

15Cited by
0References
20Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateApr 26, 2013
Grant dateJan 24, 2017
Priority date
Expiry dateMay 12, 2034

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY02T90/14
  • WIPO fieldTransport
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A method of extending the operation of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) is disclosed. The method comprises detecting that an energy storage device on board the UAV is depleted below a threshold level, landing the UAV at a base station, and initiating operation of the base station to cause a replacement mechanism thereof to remove the energy storage device on board the UAV from the UAV and to replace this with another energy storage device.

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