Title:
INTELLIGENT SELF-LEVELING DOCKING SYSTEM
Document Type and Number:
WIPO Patent Application WO/2012/064891
Kind Code:
A3
Abstract:
A docking system for an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) is described that provides a stable landing and take-off area as well as, in some embodiments, refueling and/or data transfer capabilities. The docking system may be portable to provide a ready docking area for a UAV in areas that may not otherwise be suitable for UAV operation. The docking system may include a landing surface, an orientation mechanism that adjusts the landing surface to provide a level landing area, and an alignment mechanism coupled with the landing surface that moves a UAV resting on the landing surface to a predetermined location on the landing surface for automated refueling of the UAV. A latching mechanism may secure the UAV to the landing surface when the UAV is located at the predetermined location.
Inventors:
GODZDANKER ROY (US)
VALAVANIS KIMON P (US)
RUTHERFORD MATTHEW J (US)
VALAVANIS KIMON P (US)
RUTHERFORD MATTHEW J (US)
Application Number:
PCT/US2011/060056
Publication Date:
July 12, 2012
Filing Date:
November 09, 2011
Export Citation:
Assignee:
COLORADO SEMINARY WHICH OWNS AND OPERATES THE UNIVERSITY OF DENVER (US)
GODZDANKER ROY (US)
VALAVANIS KIMON P (US)
RUTHERFORD MATTHEW J (US)
GODZDANKER ROY (US)
VALAVANIS KIMON P (US)
RUTHERFORD MATTHEW J (US)
International Classes:
B64F1/12; B64F1/22; B64F1/28
Foreign References:
| US20070228214A1 | 2007-10-04 | |||
| JPH09302628A | 1997-11-25 | |||
| JPH09158128A | 1997-06-17 | |||
| US5248115A | 1993-09-28 | |||
| US4834321A | 1989-05-30 |
Attorney, Agent or Firm:
WINTERTON, Kenneth et al. (Denver, Colorado, US)
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