Payload deployment system

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2017320226-A1
Application number	US-201615145444-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	May 3, 2016
Priority date	May 3, 2016
Publication date	Nov 9, 2017
Grant date	—

Abstract

Payload deployment system ( 400 ) comprises a payload deployment device ( 402 ) and a payload deployment structure ( 406 ) comprising a frame ( 102 ) having a first end, a second end, and a body extending from the first end toward the second end. The frame includes an aperture ( 106 ) located along a length of the body, wherein the aperture extends from a first surface of the frame to a second surface of the frame. A heating element ( 116 ) is located along a portion of an edge of the aperture, wherein the heating element is configured to be selectively electrically energized. The frame further includes a mounting portion ( 104 ) wherein the payload deployment structure is connected to the payload deployment device via the mounting portion.

First claim

We claim:

1 . A payload deployment structure comprising:
a frame having a first end, a second end, and a body extending from the first end toward the second end, wherein frame comprises:
a mounting portion comprising a mechanical structure which is configured to engage a portion of a robotic vehicle such that the frame is supported on the robotic vehicle;
an aperture located along a length of the body, wherein the aperture extends from a first surface of the frame to a second surface of the frame;
a heating element located along a portion of an edge of the aperture, wherein the heating element is configured to be selectively electrically energized; and
an electrical interface which is configured to receive one or more electrical signals from the robotic vehicle to facilitate selectively electrically energizing the heating element.

2 . The payload deployment structure of claim 1 , further comprising:
a strap comprising:
a first portion secured to the frame via the aperture, wherein at least part of the first portion is in contact with the heating element, and
a second portion secured to a payload such that the payload is suspended from the frame via the strap.

3 . The payload deployment structure of claim 2 , wherein the strap is fabricated from a meltable material.

4 . The payload deployment structure of claim 3 , wherein the heating element is configured to apply heat to the strap when energized.

5 . The payload deployment structure of claim 2 , wherein the payload comprises one or more of the following:
a communication device; a parcel; a sensor; and a camera.

6 . The payload deployment structure of claim 1 , wherein the heating element is located along a bottom edge of the aperture.

7 . The payload deployment structure of claim 1 , wherein the aperture has a generally concave shape.

8 . The payload deployment structure of claim 1 , further comprising:
one or more other apertures located along the length of the body of the frame, wherein each other aperture has an other heating element located along a portion of an edge of the other aperture, wherein the other heating element is configured to be selectively electrically energized.

9 . The payload deployment structure of claim 1 , wherein:
the electrical interface of the payload deployment structure is integrated in the mounting portion.

10 . The payload deployment structure of claim 9 , wherein the payload deployment device is an unmanned system.

11 . The payload deployment structure of claim 9 , wherein
the payload deployment structure comprises a robotic arm, and the payload deployment structure is mounted to a portion of the payload deployment device that is opposite of a location of a robotic arm.

12 . The payload deployment structure of claim 1 , further comprising a video camera mounted to the frame.

13 . A payload deployment system comprising:
a payload deployment device; and a payload deployment structure comprising a frame having a first end, a second end, and a body extending from the first end toward the second end, wherein frame comprises:
an aperture located along a length of the body, wherein the aperture extends from a first surface of the frame to a second surface of the frame,
a heating element located along a portion of an edge of the aperture, wherein the heating element is configured to be selectively electrically energized, and
a mounting portion,
wherein the payload deployment structure is connected to the payload deployment device via the mounting portion.

14 . The payload deployment system of claim 13 , wherein the payload deployment structure further comprises:
a strap comprising:
a first portion secured to the frame via the aperture, wherein at least part of the first portion is in contact with the heating element, and
a second portion secured to a payload such that the payload is suspended from the frame via the strap,
wherein the heating element is configured to apply heat to the strap when energized, and wherein the strap is fabricated from a meltable material.

15 . The payload deployment system of claim 13 wherein the payload comprises one or more of the following:
a communication device;
a parcel;
a sensor; and
a camera.

16 . The payload deployment system of claim 13 , wherein the heating element is located along a bottom edge of the aperture.

17 . The payload deployment system of claim 13 , further comprising:
one or more other apertures located along the length of the body of the frame, wherein each other aperture has an other heating element located along a portion of an edge of the other aperture, wherein the other heating element is configured to be selectively electrically energized.

18 . The payload deployment system of claim 13 , wherein the payload deployment device is an unmanned system.

19 . The payload deployment system of claim 13 , wherein,
the payload deployment device comprises a robotic arm, and the payload deployment structure is mounted to a portion of the payload deployment device that is opposite of a location of a robotic arm.

20 . The payload deployment system of claim 13 , further comprising a camera mounted to the frame.

Assignees

• Harris Corp

Inventors

• Summer Matthew D
• Bosscher Paul M

Classifications

• B26F3/08 Primary

  with heated members · CPC title

• B26F3/02

  Tearing · CPC title

• F41H7/005

  Unmanned ground vehicles, i.e. robotic, remote controlled or autonomous, mobile platforms carrying equipment for performing a military or police role, e.g. weapon systems or reconnaissance sensors (F41H11/16 takes precedence) · CPC title

• B64U2101/60

  for transporting passengers; for transporting goods other than weapons · CPC title

• B60P3/007 Primary

  for delivery of small articles, e.g. milk, frozen articles · CPC title