Tethered unmanned aerial vehicle system

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10099782-B2
Application number	US-201615210039-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jul 14, 2016
Priority date	Dec 31, 2015
Publication date	Oct 16, 2018
Grant date	Oct 16, 2018

Abstract

In one aspect, an example system includes: (i) a base including a bottom surface and a first coupling-point; (ii) a vertically-oriented elongate structure comprising a lower end, an upper end, and an inner channel, wherein the inner channel comprises an upper access-point disposed proximate the upper end, wherein the base is coupled to the elongate structure proximate the lower end; (iii) a deployable cushioning-device coupled to the elongate structure; and (iv) a tether comprising a first portion, a second portion, a third portion, and a fourth portion, wherein the first portion is coupled to the first coupling-point, the second portion is coupled to a second coupling-point of the UAV, the third portion extends through the inner channel, the fourth portion extends from the upper access-point to the second coupling-point, and the fourth portion has a length that is less than a distance between the upper access-point and the bottom surface.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A system comprising:
a base comprising a bottom surface and a first coupling-point;
a vertically-oriented elongate structure comprising a lower end, an upper end, and an inner channel, wherein the inner channel comprises an upper access-point disposed proximate the upper end, wherein the base is coupled to the elongate structure proximate the lower end;
an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) comprising a second coupling-point; and
a tether comprising a first portion, a second portion, a third portion, and a fourth portion, wherein (i) the first portion is coupled to the first coupling-point, (ii) the second portion is coupled to the second coupling-point, (iii) the third portion extends through the inner channel, (iv) the fourth portion extends from the upper access-point to the second coupling-point, and (v) the fourth portion has a length that is less than a distance between the upper access-point and the bottom surface.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the base comprises a vehicle.

3. The system of claim 1 , wherein the base comprises a spooling mechanism configured for adjusting a length of the fourth portion, and wherein the first coupling-point is disposed on the spooling mechanism.

4. The system of claim 1 , wherein the base comprises a power source, and wherein the tether is configured for delivering power from the power source to the UAV.

5. The system of claim 1 , wherein the base comprises a computing system, and wherein the tether is configured for facilitating communication between the computing system and the UAV.

6. The system of claim 1 , wherein the vertically-oriented elongate structure comprises a mast having an adjustable height.

7. The system of claim 1 , wherein the upper access-point is circular shaped.

8. A system for use with an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), the system comprising:
a base comprising a first coupling-point;
a vertically-oriented elongate structure comprising a lower end, an upper end, and an inner channel, wherein the inner channel comprises an upper access-point disposed proximate the upper end, wherein the base is coupled to the elongate structure proximate the lower end;
a landing structure constructed and arranged for receiving the UAV, wherein the landing structure is coupled to the elongate structure proximate the upper end; and
a tether comprising a first portion, a second portion, a third portion, and a fourth portion, wherein (i) the first portion is coupled to the first coupling-point, (ii) the second portion is coupled to a second coupling-point of the UAV, (iii) the third portion extends through the inner channel, and (iv) the fourth portion extends from the upper access-point and to the second coupling-point.

9. The system of claim 8 , wherein the base comprises a vehicle.

10. The system of claim 8 , wherein the base comprises a spooling mechanism configured for adjusting a length of the fourth portion, and wherein the first coupling-point is disposed on the spooling mechanism.

11. The system of claim 8 , wherein the vertically-oriented elongate structure comprises a mast having an adjustable height.

12. The system of claim 8 , wherein the landing structure comprises a bowl-shaped portion.

13. The system of claim 8 , wherein the landing structure comprises a coupling portion that extends around the upper end of the elongate structure to facilitate coupling the landing structure to the elongate structure.

14. The system of claim 8 , wherein the landing structure comprises an opening disposed proximate the upper access-point, and wherein at least one of the third portion and the fourth portion extends through the opening.

15. The system of claim 14 , wherein the opening is disposed proximate a center portion of the landing structure.

16. The system of claim 14 , wherein the opening is circular shaped.

17. The system of claim 8 , wherein the landing structure comprises a net disposed around a perimeter of the landing structure.

18. The system of claim 8 , wherein at least a portion of the landing structure is collapsible.

19. A system for use with an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), the system comprising:
a base comprising a bottom surface and a first coupling-point;
a vertically-oriented elongate structure comprising a lower end, an upper end, and an inner channel, wherein the inner channel comprises an upper access-point disposed proximate the upper end, wherein the base is coupled to the elongate structure proximate the lower end;
a landing structure constructed and arranged for receiving the UAV, wherein the landing structure is coupled to the elongate structure proximate the upper end; and
a tether comprising a first portion, a second portion, a third portion, and a fourth portion, wherein (i) the first portion is coupled to the first coupling-point, (ii) the second portion is coupled to a second coupling-point of the UAV, (iii) the third portion extends through the inner channel, (iv) the fourth portion extends from the upper access-point to the second coupling-point, and (v) the fourth portion has a length that is less than a distance between the upper access-point and the bottom surface.

20. The system of claim 18 , wherein the landing structure comprises a bowl-shaped portion.

Assignees

• Tribune Broadcasting Co Llc

Inventors

• Hundemer Hank J

Classifications

• B64U2201/202

  using tethers for connecting to ground station · CPC title

• B64U70/30

  for capturing UAVs in flight by ground or sea-based arresting gear, e.g. by a cable or a net · CPC title

• B64U80/86

  Land vehicles · CPC title

• B64D2201/00

  Airbags mounted in aircraft for any use · CPC title

• B64F3/02 Primary

  with means for supplying electricity to aircraft during flight · CPC title