Tethered unmanned aerial vehicle system

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10138002-B2
Application number	US-201615210072-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jul 14, 2016
Priority date	Dec 31, 2015
Publication date	Nov 27, 2018
Grant date	Nov 27, 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 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 deployable cushioning-device coupled to the elongate structure;
a tether comprising a portion that extends from the upper access-point to the UAV, the portion having a length that is less than a distance between the upper access-point and the bottom surface; and
a computing system configured for performing a set of acts comprising:
detecting abnormal operation of the UAV; and
responsive to detecting abnormal operation of the UAV, causing the deployable cushioning-device to deploy.

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

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

4. The system of claim 1 , wherein the deployable cushioning-device comprises a set of one or more deployable cushioning components, wherein the set extends around an outer surface of the elongate structure.

5. The system of claim 1 , wherein detecting abnormal operation of the UAV comprises:
measuring a tension level of the tether;
making a determination that the measured tension level is below a threshold tension level; and
based on the determination, detecting abnormal operation of the UAV.

6. The system of claim 1 , wherein detecting abnormal operation of the UAV comprises:
receiving sensor data from a sensor of the UAV;
making a determination that the received sensor data has a particular property; and
based on the determination, detecting abnormal operation of the UAV.

7. The system of claim 1 , wherein causing the deployable cushioning-device to deploy comprises:
causing the deployable cushioning-device to expand with a gaseous substance.

8. The system of claim 1 , wherein the portion has a length that is (i) greater than or equal to a first distance between the upper access-point and an upper end of the deployable cushioning-device, and (ii) less than or equal to a second distance between the upper access-point and a lower end of the deployable cushioning-device.

9. A non-transitory computer-readable medium for use with 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;
a deployable cushioning-device coupled to the elongate structure; and
a tether comprising a portion that extends from the upper access-point to an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), the portion having a length that is less than a distance between the upper access-point and the bottom surface;
wherein the non-transitory computer-readable medium has stored thereon program instructions that when executed cause performance of a set of acts comprising:
detecting abnormal operation of the UAV; and
responsive to detecting abnormal operation of the UAV, causing the deployable cushioning-device to deploy.

10. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 9 , wherein the base comprises a vehicle.

11. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 9 , wherein the vertically-oriented elongate structure comprises a mast having an adjustable height.

12. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 9 , wherein the deployable cushioning-device comprises a set of one or more deployable cushioning components, wherein the set extends around an outer surface of the elongate structure.

13. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 9 , wherein detecting abnormal operation of the UAV comprises:
measuring a tension level of the tether;
making a determination that the measured tension level is below a threshold level; and
based on the determination, detecting abnormal operation of the UAV.

14. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 9 , wherein detecting abnormal operation of the UAV comprises:
receiving sensor data from a sensor of the UAV;
making a determination that the received sensor data has a particular property; and
based on the determination, detecting abnormal operation of the UAV.

15. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 9 , wherein causing the deployable cushioning-device to deploy comprises:
causing the deployable cushioning-device to expand with a gaseous substance.

16. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 9 , wherein the portion has a length that is (i) greater than or equal to a first distance between the upper access-point and an upper end of the deployable cushioning-device, and (ii) less than or equal to a second distance between the upper access-point and a lower end of the deployable cushioning-device.

17. A method for use with for use with 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;
a deployable cushioning-device coupled to the elongate structure; and
a tether comprising a portion that extends from the upper access-point to an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), the portion having a length that is less than a distance between the upper access-point and the bottom surface;
wherein the method comprises:
detecting abnormal operation of the UAV; and
responsive to detecting abnormal operation of the UAV, causing the deployable cushioning-device to deploy.

18. The method of claim 17 , wherein the deployable cushioning-device comprises a set of one or more deployable cushioning components, wherein the set extends around an outer surface of the elongate structure.

19. The method of claim 17 , wherein the portion has a length that is (i) greater than or equal to a first distance between the upper access-point and an upper end of the deployable cushioning-device, and (ii) less than or equal to a second distance between the upper access-point and a lower end of the deployable cushioning-device.

20. 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 cushion-component coupled to the elongate structure; and
a tether comprising a portion that extends from the upper access-point to the UAV, the portion having a length that is less than a distance between the upper access-point and the bottom surface.

Assignees

• Tribune Broadcasting Co Llc

Inventors

• Hundemer Hank J

Classifications

• B64U2201/202

  using tethers for connecting to ground station · CPC title

• B64U70/30 Primary

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

• B64F3/00 Primary

  Ground installations specially adapted for captive aircraft · CPC title

• B64C2201/182

  Operations & Transport · mapped topic

• B64C39/022

  Tethered aircraft · CPC title