Methods and systems for transitioning an aerial vehicle between hover flight and crosswind flight
US9637231B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 20, 2015 |
| Grant date | May 2, 2017 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 20, 2035 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02E10/728
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A method involves operating an aerial vehicle in a hover-flight orientation. The aerial vehicle is connected to a tether that defines a tether sphere having a radius based on a length of the tether, and the tether is connected to a ground station. The method involves positioning the aerial vehicle at a first location that is substantially on the tether sphere. The method involves transitioning the aerial vehicle from the hover-flight orientation to a forward-flight orientation, such that the aerial vehicle moves from the tether sphere. And the method involves operating the aerial vehicle in the forward-flight orientation to ascend at an angle of ascent to a second location that is substantially on the tether sphere. The first and second locations are substantially downwind of the ground station.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.