Attachment sub-systems for vertically-stacked multicopters

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12252239-B2
Application number	US-202418435742-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Feb 7, 2024
Priority date	Oct 29, 2020
Publication date	Mar 18, 2025
Grant date	Mar 18, 2025

Abstract

A plurality of propellers generates vertical thrust at least some of the time. An attachment sub-system detachably couples to a vertical connector, where a plurality of vertically-stacked multicopters are configured to detachably couple to the vertical connector in order to transport a load at a bottom end of the vertical connector. There is an opening in a vehicle frame that is configured to: (1) receive the vertical connector prior to the attachment sub-system detachably coupling to the vertical connector and (2) hold the vertical connector while the attachment sub-system is detachably coupled to the vertical connector.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A system, comprising:
a plurality of propellers;
a first spring-loaded device that detachably couples to a vertical connector;
a second spring-loaded device that detachably couples to the vertical connector, wherein:
a plurality of vertically-stacked multicopters detachably couple to the vertical connector to transport a load that is detachably coupled to the vertical connector; and
the first spring-loaded device and the second spring-loaded device are positioned relative to each other such that:
in the event the vertical connector is pulled in a first direction, the first spring-loaded device holds the vertical connector in place; and
in the event the vertical connector is pulled in a second direction that is opposite to the first direction, the second spring-loaded device holds the vertical connector in place; and

a frame that includes an opening that provides access for the vertical connector to access the first spring-loaded device and the second spring-loaded device.

2. The system recited in claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first spring-loaded device or the second spring-loaded device includes a cam cleat.

3. The system recited in claim 1 , further including:
a first gate associated with the first spring-loaded device; and
a second gate associated with the second spring-loaded device, wherein:
prior to the vertical connector detachably coupling to the first spring-loaded device and the second spring-loaded device, the first gate and the second gate are in an open position;
subsequent to the vertical connector detachably coupling to the first spring-loaded device and the second spring-loaded device, the first gate and the second gate are in a closed position; and
in the event the first gate and the second gate are in the closed position, the vertical connector is prevented from unintentionally decoupling from the first spring-loaded device and the second spring-loaded device, respectively.

4. The system recited in claim 3 , further including a beam break sensor having a sensor output, wherein the sensor output of the beam break sensor is used to automatically move the first gate and the second gate between the open position and the closed position.

5. The system recited in claim 1 , further including a release servo, wherein the release servo is connected to at least one of the first spring-loaded device or the second spring-loaded device.

6. The system recited in claim 5 , wherein:
at least one of the first spring-loaded device or the second spring-loaded device includes a cam cleat;
the release servo is connected to the cam cleat via a connector; and
the release servo pulls open the cam cleat, including by: rotating and pulling the connector during the rotation.

7. A method, comprising:
providing a plurality of propellers that are configured to generate vertical thrust at least some of the time;
providing a first spring-loaded device that detachably couples to a vertical connector;
providing a second spring-loaded device that detachably couples to the vertical connector, wherein:
a plurality of vertically-stacked multicopters detachably couple to the vertical connector to transport a load that is detachably coupled to the vertical connector; and
the first spring-loaded device and the second spring-loaded device are positioned relative to each other such that:
in the event the vertical connector is pulled in a first direction, the first spring-loaded device holds the vertical connector in place; and
in the event the vertical connector is pulled in a second direction that is opposite to the first direction, the second spring-loaded device holds the vertical connector in place; and

providing a frame that includes an opening that provides access for the vertical connector to access the first spring-loaded device and the second spring-loaded device.

8. The method recited in claim 7 , wherein at least one of the first spring-loaded device or the second spring-loaded device includes a cam cleat.

9. The method recited in claim 7 , further including:
providing a first gate associated with the first spring-loaded device; and
providing a second gate associated with the second spring-loaded device, wherein:
prior to the vertical connector detachably coupling to the first spring-loaded device and the second spring-loaded device, the first gate and the second gate are in an open position;
subsequent to the vertical connector detachably coupling to the first spring-loaded device and the second spring-loaded device, the first gate and the second gate are in a closed position; and
in the event the first gate and the second gate are in the closed position, the vertical connector is prevented from unintentionally decoupling from the first spring-loaded device and the second spring-loaded device, respectively.

10. The method recited in claim 9 , further including: providing a beam break sensor having a sensor output, wherein the sensor output of the beam break sensor is used to automatically move the first gate and the second gate between the open position and the closed position.

11. The method recited in claim 7 , wherein:
the method further includes: providing a release servo; and
the release servo is connected to at least one of the first spring-loaded device or the second spring-loaded device.

12. The method recited in claim 11 , wherein:
at least one of the first spring-loaded device or the second spring-loaded device includes a cam cleat;
the release servo is connected to the cam cleat via a connector; and
the release servo pulls open the cam cleat, including by: rotating and pulling the connector during the rotation.

Assignees

• Kitty Hawk Corp

Inventors

• Berry Benjamin Otto
• Bowen-Davies Graham
• Parker Madeline Elliott
• Robertson Cameron
• Saunders Christopher Scott

Classifications

• B64C39/024 Primary

  of the remote controlled vehicle type, i.e. RPV · CPC title

• B64C27/08 Primary

  with two or more rotors · CPC title

• B64U80/70

  in containers (B64U80/60 takes precedence) · CPC title

• B64U30/20

  Rotors; Rotor supports · CPC title

• B64U10/13

  Flying platforms · CPC title