Methods and systems for transitioning an aerial vehicle between hover flight and crosswind flight
US9994314B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 12, 2016 |
| Grant date | Jun 12, 2018 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 12, 2036 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02E10/728
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A method includes 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 includes positioning the aerial vehicle at a first location that is substantially on the tether sphere. The method includes 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 includes 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.