UAV payload module camera assembly and retraction mechanism

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11554879-B2
Application number	US-202017060071-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Sep 30, 2020
Priority date	Jun 29, 2010
Publication date	Jan 17, 2023
Grant date	Jan 17, 2023

Abstract

In one possible embodiment, a UAV payload module retraction mechanism is provided including a payload pivotally attached to a housing. A biasing member is mounted to bias the payload out of the housing and a winch is attached to the payload. An elongated flexible drawing member is coupled between the housing and the winch, the elongated drawing flexible member being capable of being drawn by the winch to retract the payload within the housing.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A method in a UAV comprising:
a) applying a biasing force to a payload to bias a payload out of the UAV;
b) retaining the payload within the UAV using a flexible retraction mechanism;
c) extending the payload from the UAV using the flexible retraction mechanism; and
d) retracting the payload using a flexible retraction mechanism so as to cause the payload to retract into the UAV from the deployed position while biasing the payload out of the UAV.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein extending the payload comprises extending the payload from the fuselage.

3. The method of claim 2 further comprising:
a) launching the UAV;
b) landing the UAV without using landing gear; and
c) wherein extending the payload comprises extending the payload after launching and before landing the UAV.

4. The method of claim 1 further comprising:
a) launching the UAV and extending the payload from the UAV; and
b) landing the UAV without using landing gear.

5. The method of claim 4 , wherein landing the UAV comprises landing the UAV on water.

6. The method of claim 4 , wherein landing the UAV comprises landing the UAV on land.

7. The method of claim 4 , wherein launching the UAV comprises launching the UAV by hand.

8. The method of claim 4 , wherein landing comprises using a skid pad.

9. The method of claim 1 further comprising:
a) launching the UAV by hand; and
b) landing the UAV on water.

10. The method of claim 1 further comprising:
a) launching the UAV by hand; and
b) landing the UAV on land.

Assignees

• Aerovironment Inc

Inventors

• Zwaan John Peter
• Belik Pavel
• Dimotakis Manolis
• D'Aquila Christopher J

Classifications

• B64D9/00

  Equipment for handling freight; Equipment for facilitating passenger embarkation or the like · CPC title

• B64U2101/30

  for imaging, photography or videography · CPC title

• B64D47/08 Primary

  Arrangements of cameras · CPC title

• B64D27/24

  using steam or spring force (jet aircraft B64D27/16) · CPC title

• B64C2201/127

  Operations & Transport · mapped topic