FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure is directed generally to Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), specifically to systems and methods for decoupling a sensor housing from an object, even more specifically, to systems and methods for the authenticated decoupling of a sensor housing from an object.

BACKGROUND

Luminaires for street lamps and other outdoor lighting fixtures may be arranged to receive an add-on device sensor, e.g., a daylight sensor or other socket-type sensor. These add-on devices typically include a socket connector mounted to the luminaire housing which utilizes a twist locking interface or a simple plug-in interface to engage and lock with the add-on device. Furthermore, the luminaire housing which receives these add-on devices are typically mounted atop a pole or post making it difficult to install, replace, or otherwise service the add-on devices once installed. Additionally, UAVs, driven manually by a user or automatically via software, are capable of lifting loads and moving those loads from one position to another.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure is related to systems and methods for the authenticated magnetic decoupling of a sensor housing from an object such as a luminaire or outdoor lamp. The magnetic decoupling may also be realized using a vehicle, for example, an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), a manned aerial vehicle, or any vehicle capable of engaging with sensor housing 108 and/or object 106 as discussed below. Sensors, such as NEMA socket daylight sensors, have been used in conjunction with lamps or outdoor lighting devices to, for example, trigger when the lamp or outdoor lighting device turns on and off. These sensors can be expensive and may be difficult to replace. The systems and methods recited herein are directed to the authenticated coupling and/or decoupling of these sensors to prevent unauthorized removal of these sensors from lamps or outdoor lighting devices. To that end, the sensor may have a sensor housing including a permanent magnet capable of magnetically coupling the sensor housing to the object. The UAV may include a power sending antenna capable of sending a power signal over a wireless power protocol, e.g., Qi wireless charging protocol, to a power receiving antenna located in the sensor housing. A controller within the sensor housing may authenticate the source of the power signal received by the power receiving antenna and allow for the power signal received to be passed to a coil surrounding the permanent magnet, such that the permanent magnet is momentarily degaussed, allowing for decoupling of the sensor housing from the object. This configuration can be implemented remotely via a UAV, e.g., a drone or quadcopter.

In an aspect, a system for magnetically decoupling a sensor housing from an object is provided, the system including a vehicle having a body and a sensor housing connected to the body of the vehicle. The sensor housing includes a power receiving antenna arranged to receive a power signal, a permanent magnet arranged to generate a first magnetic field, the first magnetic field having a first magnetic polarity, and a coil secured about the permanent magnet and arranged to receive the power signal, the coil arranged to generate a second magnetic field having a second magnetic polarity opposite the first magnetic polarity when the coil receives the power signal wherein the first magnetic field of the permanent magnet is arranged to magnetically couple and decouple from the object.

In an aspect, the sensor housing further comprises a controller and a power storage component, the power storage component arranged to store an electric charge obtained from the power signal and the controller arranged to authenticate the power signal.

In an aspect, the body further comprises a power source antenna arranged to send the power signal to the power receiving antenna of the sensor housing.

In an aspect, the power signal is a Qi wireless charging protocol.

In an aspect, the system further includes the object and an engagement disk the object comprising a first surface arranged to engage with the engagement disk, wherein the permanent magnet is arranged to magnetically couple the sensor housing with the engagement disk.

In an aspect, the first surface of the object comprises a recess and the sensor housing comprises a first downwardly facing protrusion, the recess arranged to receive the first downwardly facing protrusion.

In an aspect, the first surface of the object comprises a partial through-bore arranged to receive the engagement disk.

In an aspect, the engagement disk further comprises an outer circumferential surface having a plurality of spring-loaded pins and the partial through-bore of the object further comprises a plurality of radially disposed partial through-bores, the plurality of radially disposed partial through-bores arranged to receive the plurality of spring-loaded pins.

In an aspect, the first surface of the object further comprises a plurality of auxiliary magnets arranged circumferentially about the engagement disk and arranged to produce a radially inward magnetic field.

In an aspect, the first surface of the object further comprises a plurality of upwardly facing protrusions arranged to engage with the engagement disk.

In an aspect, the first magnetic field has a first magnitude and the second magnetic field has a second magnitude, wherein the second magnitude is greater than or equal to the first magnitude.

In an aspect, a method of magnetically decoupling a sensor housing from an object is provided, the method including: positioning a vehicle proximate to the sensor housing, the vehicle having a body and the body having a power source antenna; generating, via the power source antenna, a power signal; receiving the power signal at a power receiving antenna of the sensor housing; providing the power signal to a coil arranged about a permanent magnet within the sensor housing, the permanent magnet having a first magnetic field with a first magnetic polarity, the first magnetic field operatively arranged to couple the sensor housing with an object; and generating, via the coil, a second magnetic field having a second magnetic polarity opposite the first magnetic polarity, when the coil receives the power signal wherein the second magnetic field having the second magnetic polarity operates to decouple the sensor housing from the object.

In an aspect, the method includes the step of authenticating the power signal prior to sending the power signal to the coil.

In an aspect, the sensor housing further comprises a controller and a power storage component, the power storage component arranged to store an electric charge obtained from the power signal and the controller arranged to authenticate the power signal prior to sending the power signal to the coil.

In an aspect, the first magnetic field of the permanent magnet is arranged to magnetically couple and decouple from the object.

These and other aspects of the various embodiments will be apparent from and elucidated with reference to the embodiment(s) described hereinafter. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings, like reference characters generally refer to the same parts throughout the different views. Also, the drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead generally being placed upon illustrating the principles of the various embodiments.

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a system including a UAV according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a schematic front perspective view of a system including a UAV according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a perspective schematic view of a sensor housing according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a perspective schematic view of the components of a system according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 5A is a cross-sectional view of a system according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 5B is a cross-sectional view of a system according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 6A is side perspective schematic view of a system according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 6B is a cross-sectional view of a system according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 7 A is a front perspective view of an engagement disk according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 7B is cross-sectional view of an engagement disk within a system according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 8 is a side schematic view of a system according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 9 is a flow chart illustrating the steps of a method according to the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

The present disclosure is related to systems and methods for the authenticated magnetic decoupling of a sensor housing from an object such as a luminaire or outdoor lamp. The magnetic decoupling may also be realized using a vehicle, for example, an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), a manned aerial vehicle, or a manned or unmanned terrestrial vehicle, e.g., a crane or any other vehicle capable of engaging with sensor housing 108 and/or object 106 discussed below. Sensors, such as NEMA socket daylight sensors, have been used in conjunction with lamps or outdoor lighting devices to, for example, trigger when the lamp or outdoor lighting device turns on and off. These sensors can be expensive and may be difficult to replace. The systems and methods recited herein are directed to the authenticated coupling and/or decoupling of these sensors to prevent unauthorized removal of these sensors from lamps or outdoor lighting devices. To that end, the sensor may have a sensor housing including a permanent magnet capable of magnetically coupling the sensor housing to the object. The UAV may include a power sending antenna capable of sending a power signal over a wireless power protocol, e.g., Qi wireless protocol, to a power receiving antenna located in the sensor housing. A controller within the sensor housing may authenticate the source of the power signal received by the power receiving antenna and allow for the power signal received to be passed to a coil surrounding the permanent magnet, such that the permanent magnet is momentarily degaussed, allowing for decoupling of the sensor housing from the object. This configuration can be implemented remotely via a UAV, e.g., a drone or quadcopter.

The following description should be read in view of FIGS. 1-7B. FIG. 1 illustrates a front perspective view of system 100 according to the present disclosure. System 100 may include a vehicle 101, for example, an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) 102, lifting mechanism 104, object 106, and sensor housing 108. It should be appreciated that, although the present disclosure illustrates and describes system 100 from the perspective of a UAV, i.e., UAV 102, vehicle 101 may be a manned aerial vehicle, or any other vehicle capable of lifting sensor housing 108 and/or object 106 as discussed herein. Moreover, it should be appreciated that the magnetic decoupling discussed herein may be realized without the use of a vehicle, e.g., purely through an external device capable of creating the various magnetic fields and/or the power signals disclosed herein. For example, the external device could be a personal computing device capable of sending and receiving the power signals as discussed herein such that removal of the sensor housing 108 can be realized without the need for a special tool or vehicle 101. UAV 102 is intended to be a device capable of sustained unmanned flight. In one example as illustrated in FIG. 1, UAV 102 may be a drone or quadcopter having a plurality of propellers arranged to be driven in a rotational plane parallel to the surface of the ground within which pole or lamp post P is mounted within, as will be discussed below. UAV 102 may further include body 110 having a bottom surface 112 capable of engaging with, e.g., lifting mechanism 104. UAV 102 may include a first controller 114, where first controller 114 may be arranged on, in, or in proximity to body 110 of UAV 102. Although not illustrated, first controller 114 may include a first processor and a first memory arranged to execute and store, respectively, a first set of non-transitory computer-readable instructions to perform the functions of UAV 102 as will be described below. Furthermore, although not illustrated, it should be appreciated that UAV 102 may further include a power source, e.g., a battery or other device capable of providing electrical power to the plurality of propellers to generate the rotational motion of the plurality of propellers to create the lifting force necessary for sustained flight of UAV 102.

As shown in FIG. 1, lifting mechanism 104 is intended to be a device fixedly secured to bottom surface 112 of body 110 and arranged to mechanically or magnetically couple body 110 with object 106. Specifically, lifting mechanism 104 is intended to be arranged to mechanically or magnetically couple and decouple body 110 of UAV 102 to and/or from engagement disk 122 of object 106, discussed below. Although not discussed in detail within the present disclosure, lifting mechanism 104 can further include a first portion fixedly secured to the bottom surface 112 of body 110, a second portion arranged to magnetically or mechanically couple to and/or decouple from engagement disk 122 of object 106, and a hinge or pivot point arranged between the first portion and the second portion. During flight, lifting mechanism 104 can be arranged to pivot about the hinge while UAV 102 is driven between destinations such that object 106 remains substantially below UAV 102 and vertically aligned with, for example, first axis Al, where first axis A1 is substantially orthogonal to the surface of the ground within which the pole or lamp post P is mounted and parallel with pole or lamp post P. It should be appreciated that system 100 may or may not utilize lifting mechanism 104.

As schematically illustrated in FIG. 2, body 110 of UAV 102, or lifting mechanism 104, may further include a power source antenna 116 electrically connected to first controller 114 and/or the power source located within UAV 102. Power source antenna 116 is intended to be a Qi enabled wireless charging coil or equivalent wireless charging coil capable of sending and/or receiving a wireless power signal, i.e., power signal 118. As illustrated in FIG. 2, power source antenna 116 is located at a distal end of lifting mechanism 104. Again, it should be appreciated that if lifting mechanism 104 is not utilized, power source antenna 116 may be located proximate bottom surface 112 of body 110 of UAV 102.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, object 106 is intended to be a luminaire or lamp capable of providing illumination to a surrounding area, e.g., an outdoor area after installation atop pole or lamp post P. Object 106 may include a first surface 120, e.g., a top surface, which receives, engages with, or otherwise secures to engagement disk 122. As will be discussed below, engagement disk 122 may be secured to the first surface 120 of object 106 or embedded within the first surface 120 of object 106 and may be made of a

ferromagnetic material operatively arranged to engage with a permanent magnet, e.g., permanent magnet 130, of sensor housing 108 discussed below.

FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of sensor housing 108. Sensor housing 108 can be, for example, a NEMA sensor, daylight sensor, or other socket type sensor capable of interfacing with object 106. Sensor housing 108 may include a cavity 124, i.e., sensor housing 108 may be substantially hollow. Sensor housing 108 may be made from a ferromagnetic material such that it may magnetically engage and disengage with, e.g., an electromagnet or electro-permanent magnet in the second portion of lifting mechanism 104 or an electromagnet or electro-permanent magnet arranged proximate to bottom surface 112 of body 110 of UAV 102. Additionally, sensor housing 108 may be made from anon-magnetic material, e.g., Polyethylene Terephthalate (PETE or PET), High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE), Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC), Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE), Polypropylene (PP), Polystyrene or Styrofoam (PS), or any other non-magnetic material. Cavity 124 of sensor housing 108 may include power receiving antenna 126, second controller 128, permanent magnet 130, and coil 132. Power receiving antenna 126 is intended to be a Qi enabled wireless charging coil or equivalent wireless charging coil capable of sending and/or receiving a wireless power signal, i.e., power signal 118. Although not illustrated, it should be appreciated if sensor housing 108 is made from a ferromagnetic material or other material capable of interfering with, e.g., the transmission of power signal 118, an aperture may be provided in the top surface of sensor housing 108 such that power signal 118 may be sent between, for example, power source antenna 116 and power receiving antenna 126 unimpeded. Power receiving antenna 126 is electrically connected to second controller 128. Second controller 128 may include power storage component 134. Power storage component 134 may be a battery, capacitor, or super capacitor capable of receiving power signal 118 and building up and storing an electric charge, i.e., electric charge 136. Furthermore, and although not illustrated, second controller 128 may further include a second processor and second memory arranged to execute and store, respectively, a second set of non-transitory computer-readable instructions to perform the functions of the second controller 128 as described herein.

Permanent magnet 130 is arranged to produce a first magnetic field 138 (as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4). First magnetic field 138 has a first magnetic polarity 140 determined by the north and south poles of permanent magnet 130. As illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, first magnetic field 138 of permanent magnet 130 is illustrated running from the magnetic north pole of permanent magnet 130 to the magnetic south pole of permanent magnet 130, i.e., first polarity 140. This first magnetic field 138 has a first magnitude 142.

Coil 132 is intended to be an electrically conductive wire arranged about first permanent magnet 130 and arranged to receive electric charge 136 from second controller 128. When electric charge 136 flows through coil 132, the direction of current flow as well as the coiled shape of coil 132 about permanent magnet 130 generates a second magnetic field 144 (not illustrated in detail) via Oerstead’s Law. The current provided by electric charge 136 is arranged such that second magnetic field 144 has a second magnetic polarity 144 opposite first magnetic polarity 140 of permanent magnet 130. Additionally, second magnetic field 146 has a second magnitude 148 proportional to the electrical potential of electric charge 136 stored in power storage component 134. Thus the second magnitude 148 of second magnetic field 146 may be increased or decreased by increasing or decreasing, respectively, the electrical potential of electric charge 136.

During operation of system 100, and after sensor housing 108 has been fixedly secured to the top of pole or lamp post P, UAV 102 may be driven, manually by a user or autonomously via software embedded in, e.g., the first set of non-transitory computer- readable instructions of first controller 114, to a first position above object 106, i.e., substantially parallel with first axis A1 in a first direction DR1 (as shown in FIG. 1). From this first position, above sensor housing 108 in first direction DR1, UAV 102 may be lowered, i.e., driven in a second direction DR2 along first axis A1 where second direction DR2 is opposite first direction DR1 until power source antenna 116 of UAV 102 (or of the second portion of lifting mechanism 104) is proximate, i.e., within 10 cm of, power receiving antenna 126 of sensor housing 108, i.e., driven to a second position. From this second position, power source antenna 116 of UAV 102 and power receiving antenna 126 of sensor housing 108 are close enough to exchange, via a Qi wireless charging protocol, power signal 118. Power signal 118 is then stored within power storage component 134 of second controller 128 of sensor housing 108 which builds to electric charge 136, i.e., an electrical charge with sufficient electrical potential to degauss permanent magnet 130. Additionally, power signal 118, via the Qi wireless charging protocol, may include data embedded in power signal 118 to authenticate the identity or source of power signal 118. This data may include a physical device address, e.g., a MAC address of first controller 114, a specific authentication key unique to first controller 114, etc., to identify the source of power signal 118. It should also be appreciated that a centralized controller (not illustrated), via a wired or wireless connection between multiple objects 106, e.g., luminaires, may be arranged to send and receive the data used for authentication of the source of the power signal 118. It should further be appreciated that an additional circuit (not illustrated) may be utilized within sensor housing 108 which may act solely to send and receive authentication data between, for example, the first controller 114 and the second controller 128. In one example, the additional circuit may be a wireless interface capable of sending and receiving wireless communications via a wireless protocol where the wireless protocol can be selected from: Bluetooth Classic, Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), IEEE 802.11 WiFi standard, Radio Frequency Identification (RFID), Near Field Communications (NFC), and Near Field Magnetic Inductance (NFMI) or any other wireless protocol capable of sending and receiving data. Second controller 128, after verifying the identity of the source of power signal 118 via the Qi wireless charging protocol, may then discharge the stored electric charge 136 from power storage component 134 into coil 132. As described above, the current flow generated by the discharge of electric charge 136 into coil 132 about permanent magnet 130 will momentarily degauss permanent magnet 130 allowing for sensor housing 108 to be removed from object 106.

It should be appreciated that it may be desirable to increase the magnitude of the electrical potential of electric charge 136 such that, when electric charge 136 produces a current flow through coil 132 and generates second magnetic field 144, the second magnitude 148 of the second magnetic field 144 is greater than the first magnitude 142 of first magnetic field 138. In this configuration, the difference in magnitude of second magnitude 148 and first magnitude 138 creates a repulsion force between sensor housing 108 and engagement disk 122, pushing sensor housing 108 free from engagement disk 122, i.e., creating a force in first direction DR1. It should also be appreciated that UAV 102 may be used to place the original sensor housing 108 atop object 106 and/or be utilized after removing, for example, a damaged sensor housing 108 from object 106, to place a new sensor housing 108 atop object 106. When placing sensor housing 108 atop object 106, the degaussing described above is not necessary as the first magnetic field 138 created by permanent magnet 130 will simply magnetically couple with, for example, engagement disk 122 of object 106.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, to further aid in the positioning of sensor housing 108, i.e., alignment of sensor housing 108 relative to engagement disk 122, first surface 120 of object 106 may further include a plurality of auxiliary magnets 150 arranged on or at least partially within first surface 120 of object 106. As illustrated in FIG. 4, plurality of auxiliary magnets 150 can be arranged in a circular pattern, e.g., where each auxiliary magnet of the plurality of auxiliary magnets 150 may be placed at a first radial distance RD1 from a central axis point C of engagement disk 122, where central axis point C is substantially coincident with first axis Al. As illustrated in FIG. 4, engagement disk 122 may also have an outer circumferential surface 170 (discussed below) at a second radial distance RD2 from central axis point C where the first radial distance RD1 is greater than the second radial distance RD2. In addition to positioning each auxiliary magnet of plurality of magnets 150 at a first radial distance from central axis point C, each auxiliary magnet may be circumferentially spaced from each other, for example, approximately every 15-20 degrees about central axis point C and/or first axis Al. Each magnet of plurality of auxiliary magnets 150 has a third magnetic field 152 with a third magnetic polarity 154 where the third magnetic polarity 154 is substantially equal to first magnetic polarity 140 of first magnetic field 138 and opposite second magnetic polarity 146 of second magnetic field 144. In the configuration described above and illustrated in FIG. 4, the combined magnet fields 152 of each auxiliary magnet of plurality of auxiliary magnets 150 create a substantially unified radially inward magnetic field 156 with third magnetic polarity 154. As third magnetic polarity 154 of radially inward magnetic field 156 is substantially the same as first magnetic polarity 140 of first magnetic field 138 of permanent magnet 130, the first magnetic field 138 magnetically repels from radially inward magnetic field 156 toward central axis point C, centering sensor housing 108 above engagement disk 122. It should be appreciated that more or less auxiliary magnets of plurality of auxiliary magnets 150 may be used. Alternatively, and although not illustrated, one substantially toroidal or annular magnet may be used to generate the radially inward magnetic field 156 where the substantially toroidal or annular magnet has a radius greater than RD2. It should further be appreciated that other shapes of magnets may be used, which provide a substantially homogeneous radially inward magnetic field 156 to align sensor housing 108 with engagement disk 122, e.g., hexagonal, octagonal, square, etc. Furthermore, although not illustrated, in the even that first surface 120 of object 106 is not planer, i.e., not substantially defined by a plane orthogonal to first axis Al, plurality of auxiliary magnets 150 may be positioned such that the radially inward magnetic field 156 also creates a substantially uniform repulsive magnetic force on permanent magnet 130 such that adjustments in the orientation of sensor housing relative to the plane orthogonal to first axis Al can be realized. In one example, first surface 120 may be rounded. In this example, it may be necessary to completely embed some auxiliary magnets of plurality of auxiliary magnets 150 within first surface 120 while others are secured to first surface 120 such that the plurality of auxiliary magnets generate the substantially uniform repulsive magnetic force within the plane orthogonal to first axis A1 ensuring that sensor housing 108 at least approaches engagement plate 122 substantially level, i.e., level within the plane orthogonal to first axis Al. It should further be appreciated that other shapes of object 106 may require different orientations or engagement disk 122 and/or sensor housing 108 which may be accommodated by the use of plurality of auxiliary magnets 150 to orient sensor housing 108 prior to magnetically coupling with engagement disk 122.

The system described above features magnetic coupling and/or decoupling of a sensor housing 108 from an engagement disk 122. Additionally, this magnetic coupling and/or decoupling is intended to prevent the unauthorized removal of sensor housing 108 from object 106. Therefore, it is also necessary to secure engagement disk 122 to object 106 in a way that is not easily removable from object 106 and position sensor housing 108 in a way that prevents removal of sensor housing 108 without the need to magnetically decouple using the authenticated system described above. When using a magnetic coupling to secure two objects together the force necessary to forcibly separate the two objects, e.g., in first direction DR1 and second direction DR2, respectively, is substantially larger than the force necessary to separate the two objects by sliding the objects sideways with respect to each other, i.e., in a direction orthogonal to first direction DR1 or second direction DR2. To that end, as illustrated in FIG. 5 A, engagement disk 122 may be secured on or embedded within first surface 120 of object 106. Object 106 may further include a partial through-bore 158 extending below, i.e., in second direction DR2, first surface 120 of object 106. This embedded configuration prevents the lateral displacement, i.e., in a direction orthogonal to first direction DR1 or second direction DR2, of sensor housing 108 with respect to engagement plate 122 and prevents sensor housing 108 from being forcibly removed in first direction DR1 without the authenticated magnetic decoupling discussed herein, or without overcoming the more significant magnetic force along first axis Al.

FIG. 5B similarly illustrates a configuration intended to prevent displacement of sensor housing 108 with respect to engagement disk 122. As illustrated, first surface 120 of object 106 may include a first recess 160 where first recess 160 extends at least in part in second direction DR2 with respect to first surface 120. Furthermore, sensor housing 108 may further include a first downwardly facing protrusion 162 fixedly secured to the bottom of sensor housing 108 and arranged to sit within first recess 160. This configuration prevents the lateral displacement, i.e., in a direction orthogonal to first direction DR1 or second direction DR2, of sensor housing 108 with respect to engagement plate 122 and prevents sensor housing 108 from being forcibly removed in first direction DR1 without the authenticated magnetic decoupling discussed herein, or without overcoming the more significant magnetic force along first axis Al. As illustrated, it should be appreciated that first surface 120 may include more than one recess and sensor housing 108 may include more than one

downwardly facing protrusion 162. It should also be appreciated that first recess 160 may be annular, i.e., arranged circumferentially around engagement disk 122 such that the one or more downwardly facing protrusions 162 secured to the bottom surface of sensor housing 108 can sit within the annular recess and prevent lateral displacement of sensor housing 108 with respect to engagement disk 122 as well as aids in the alignment of sensor housing 108 and engagement disk when magnetically coupling sensor housing 108 to engagement disk 122.

As illustrated in FIGS. 6A and 6B, first surface 120 may further include a plurality of upwardly facing protrusions 164 extending from first surface 120 in first direction DR1. Additionally, sensor housing 108 may include a plurality of partial through- bores 166 extending from the bottom surface of sensor housing 108 in first direction DR1, where each through-bore of plurality of through-bores 166 of sensor housing 108 is arranged to slidingly engage with each protrusion of plurality of upwardly facing protrusions 164. This configuration prevents the lateral displacement, i.e., in a direction orthogonal to first direction DR1 or second direction DR2, of sensor housing 108 with respect to engagement plate 122 and prevents sensor housing 108 from being forcibly removed in first direction DR1 without the authenticated magnetic decoupling discussed herein, or without overcoming the more significant magnetic force along first axis Al.

In one example shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, engagement disk 122 is fixedly secured within object 106. As illustrated in FIGS. 7A and 7B, to aid in securing engagement disk 122 within object 106, engagement disk 122 may include a plurality of spring-loaded pins 168 arranged to extend radially outward, i.e., in a direction orthogonal to first axis Al and away from first axis Al. Each spring-loaded pin 168 is arranged to extend radially outwardly or project from and outer circumferential surface 170 of engagement disk 122. Object 106 may comprise a partial through-bore, e.g., partial through bore 158 as discussed above, which can receive and secure engagement disk 122 within object 106. Partial through- bore 158 may further include a plurality of radially disposed partial through-bores 172 which are arranged to receive each spring-loaded pin of plurality of spring-loaded pins 168 when engagement disk is secured within object 106. Although not illustrated, it should be appreciated that each spring-loaded pin of plurality or spring-loaded pins 168 may have a proximate end and a distal end, where the proximal end of each spring-loaded pin is arranged to engage with a spring of the plurality of spring-loaded pins 168 and the distal end is arranged opposite the proximate end. It should further be appreciated that each distal end of each spring-loaded pin of plurality of spring-loaded pins 168 may include a bevel which aids in the rotational locking of engagement disk 122 within atrial through-bore 158 as will be discussed below.

During operation of system 100, and prior to magnetically coupling and/or decoupling UAV 102 and/or lifting mechanism 104 with sensor housing 108, UAV 102 and/or lifting mechanism 104 may be arranged to magnetically couple with engagement disk 122 for installation of engagement disk 122 within partial through-bore 158 of object 106. As discussed above, engagement disk 122 may be made of a ferromagnetic material, and thus, may magnetically couple with a magnet, electromagnet, or electro-permanent magnet provided proximate bottom surface 112 of UAV 102 or proximate the second portion of lifting mechanism 104. When magnetically coupled to engagement disk 122, the magnetic field produced by the magnet, electromagnet, or electro-permanent magnet proximate bottom surface 112 of UAV 102, or the magnet, electromagnet, or electro-permanent magnet proximate the second portion of lifting mechanism 104 will cause each spring-loaded pin of plurality of spring-loaded pins 168 to compress each respective spring of plurality of spring- loaded pins 168 in an inward radial direction, i.e., in a direction substantially orthogonal to first axis A1 and toward first axis Al. The magnetic field created is intended to be of sufficient magnitude to magnetically attract each spring-loaded pin of plurality of spring- loaded pins 168 such that each pin compresses its respective spring sufficiently to ensure that each pin of plurality of spring-loaded pins 168 is disposed radially within outer

circumferential surface 170 of engagement disk 122 when magnetically coupled to the magnet of the UAV 102 or lifting mechanism 104. The UAV 102 is then positioned such that engagement disk 122 can be placed within partial through-bore 158 of object 106. Once positioned, engagement disk 122 may be rotated, i.e., rotated about first axis Al, such that each spring-loaded pin of plurality of spring-loaded pins 168 is radially aligned with each radially disposed partial through-bore of plurality of radially disposed partial through-bores 172. Thus, when the UAV 102 or the lifting mechanism 104 magnetically decouples from engagement disk 122, the magnetic field keeping the pins of plurality of spring-loaded pins 168 radially within outer circumferential surface 170 of engagement disk 122 is removed, allowing the plurality of spring-loaded pins 168 to extend in the radially outward direction, i.e., away from first axis Al, and lock in place within the plurality of radially outward partial through-bores 172. As mentioned above, it should be appreciated that the distal ends of each pin of plurality of spring-loaded pins 168 may be beveled or chamfered such that, in the event the magnetic field generated by the magnet, electromagnet, or electro-permanent magnet secured to UAV 102 or the second portion of lifting mechanism 104 is insufficient to compress each spring of plurality of spring-loaded pins 168 so that each pin is radially within outer circumferential surface 170, the portion that remains radially outward of the outer circumferential surface 170 may still allow for rotation of engagement disk 122 within partial through-bore 158 of object 106 and may aid in indicating the correct rotational position of engagement disk within partial through-bore 158 of object 106.

In one example, illustrated in FIG. 8, object 106 may further included an object coil 174, electrically connected to the power source for the object 106 or a driver for a lighting circuit within the object 106. Object coil 106 may be a wireless charging coil, e.g., a Qi wireless charging coil capable of sending and receiving power signal 118 to sensor housing 108 in addition to providing power signal 118 from power source antenna 116 of UAV 102, or may be utilized in place of the power signal 118 from power source antenna 116 of UAV in the event UAV 102 is not utilized. Accordingly, the power signal 118 generated from object coil 174 may be received by power receiving antenna 126 within sensor housing 108 such that it may be utilized as described above to decouple sensor housing 108 from object 106. It should further be appreciated that although not illustrated object coil 174 may be arranged about an existing electro-mechanical interface, e.g., a plug arranged between object 106 and sensor housing 108.

FIG. 9 is a flow chart illustrated in the steps of method 200 according to the present disclosure. Method 200 may include, for example, optionally positioning a vehicle 101, for example an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) 102 proximate to the sensor housing 108, the UAV 102 having a body 110 and the body having a power source antenna 116 (step 202); generating, via the power source antenna 116, a power signal 118 (step 204); receiving the power signal 118 at a power receiving antenna 126 of the sensor housing 108 (step 206); optionally, authenticating the power signal 118 prior to sending the power signal 118 to a coil 132 (step 208); providing the power signal 118 to the coil 132 arranged about a permanent magnet 130 within the sensor housing 108, the permanent magnet 130 having a first magnetic field 138 with a first magnetic polarity 140, the first magnetic field 138 operatively arranged to couple the sensor housing 108 with an object 106 (step 210); and generating, via the coil 132, a second magnetic field 144 having a second magnetic polarity 146 opposite the first magnetic polarity 140, when the coil 132 receives the power signal 118 wherein the second magnetic field 144 having the second magnetic polarity 146 operates to decouple the sensor housing 108 from the object 106 (step 212).

All definitions, as defined and used herein, should be understood to control over dictionary definitions, definitions in documents incorporated by reference, and/or ordinary meanings of the defined terms.

The indefinite articles“a” and“an,” as used herein in the specification and in the claims, unless clearly indicated to the contrary, should be understood to mean“at least one.”

The phrase“and/or,” as used herein in the specification and in the claims, should be understood to mean“either or both” of the elements so conjoined, i.e., elements that are conjunctively present in some cases and disjunctively present in other cases. Multiple elements listed with“and/or” should be construed in the same fashion, i.e.,“one or more” of the elements so conjoined. Other elements may optionally be present other than the elements specifically identified by the“and/or” clause, whether related or unrelated to those elements specifically identified.

As used herein in the specification and in the claims,“or” should be understood to have the same meaning as“and/or” as defined above. For example, when separating items in a list,“or” or“and/or” shall be interpreted as being inclusive, i.e., the inclusion of at least one, but also including more than one, of a number or list of elements, and, optionally, additional unlisted items. Only terms clearly indicated to the contrary, such as“only one of’ or“exactly one of,” or, when used in the claims,“consisting of,” will refer to the inclusion of exactly one element of a number or list of elements. In general, the term “or” as used herein shall only be interpreted as indicating exclusive alternatives (i.e.“one or the other but not both”) when preceded by terms of exclusivity, such as“either,”“one of,” “only one of,” or“exactly one of.”

As used herein in the specification and in the claims, the phrase“at least one,” in reference to a list of one or more elements, should be understood to mean at least one element selected from any one or more of the elements in the list of elements, but not necessarily including at least one of each and every element specifically listed within the list of elements and not excluding any combinations of elements in the list of elements. This definition also allows that elements may optionally be present other than the elements specifically identified within the list of elements to which the phrase“at least one” refers, whether related or unrelated to those elements specifically identified. It should also be understood that, unless clearly indicated to the contrary, in any methods claimed herein that include more than one step or act, the order of the steps or acts of the method is not necessarily limited to the order in which the steps or acts of the method are recited.

In the claims, as well as in the specification above, all transitional phrases such as“comprising,”“including,”“carrying,”“having, ”“containing,”“involving,”“holding,” “composed of,” and the like are to be understood to be open-ended, i.e., to mean including but not limited to. Only the transitional phrases“consisting of’ and“consisting essentially of’ shall be closed or semi-closed transitional phrases, respectively.

While several inventive embodiments have been described and illustrated herein, those of ordinary skill in the art will readily envision a variety of other means and/or structures for performing the function and/or obtaining the results and/or one or more of the advantages described herein, and each of such variations and/or modifications is deemed to be within the scope of the inventive embodiments described herein. More generally, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that all parameters, dimensions, materials, and configurations described herein are meant to be exemplary and that the actual parameters, dimensions, materials, and/or configurations will depend upon the specific application or applications for which the inventive teachings is/are used. Those skilled in the art will recognize, or be able to ascertain using no more than routine experimentation, many equivalents to the specific inventive embodiments described herein. It is, therefore, to be understood that the foregoing embodiments are presented by way of example only and that, within the scope of the appended claims and equivalents thereto, inventive embodiments may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described and claimed. Inventive embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to each individual feature, system, article, material, kit, and/or method described herein. In addition, any combination of two or more such features, systems, articles, materials, kits, and/or methods, if such features, systems, articles, materials, kits, and/or methods are not mutually inconsistent, is included within the inventive scope of the present disclosure.