US 10,112,694 B2Granted

Self-righting aeronautical vehicle and method of use

OwnerGaofei Yan, James Deesinventors

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Abstract

A self-righting aeronautical vehicle comprising a hollowed frame and a lift mechanism. The exterior of the frame and center of gravity are adapted to self-right the vehicle. The frame can include sealed, hollowed sections for use in bodies of water. The frame can be spherical in shape enabling inspection of internal surface of partially or fully enclosed structures. Inspection equipment can be integrated into the vehicle and acquired data can be stored or wirelessly communicated to a server. A controlled or other mass can be pivotally assembled to a pivot axle spanning across the interior of the frame. The pivot axis can rotate about a vertical axis (an axis perpendicular to the elongated axis). The propulsion mechanisms can be adapted for use as a terrestrial vehicle when enclosed in a sealed spherical shell.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A method of inspecting a structure using an aeronautical inspection vehicle, the method comprising steps of:

obtaining the aeronautical inspection vehicle, the aeronautical inspection vehicle comprising:
a hollowed frame, the hollowed frame having a circular circumferential exterior surface,
at least one maneuvering and lift mechanism adapted to generate a lifting force, each of the at least one maneuvering and lift mechanism being assembled to a controller assembly, the controller assembly carried by a support element located within the interior of the hollowed frame,
a weighted mass assembled to one of (a) the hollowed frame and (b) the controller assembly in a manner enabling self-righting of the at least one maneuvering and lift mechanism during use, and
at least one inspection device for inspecting an object;
activating the aeronautical inspection vehicle;
placing the aeronautical inspection vehicle against a generally vertically oriented surface;
using the at least one maneuvering and lift mechanism to generate a lifting force, lifting the aeronautical inspection vehicle;
rolling the hollowed frame against the generally vertically oriented surface;
and
acquiring inspection data.

8 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 15/672,262Filed 8 Aug 2017 · continuation in part
Priority: CN 2010 1 023525723 Jul 2010
Published: US 2018/0057135 A11 Mar 2018
Granted: 30 Oct 2018
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification24 codes

A63H 33/005
Other toys: motorised rolling toys
A63H 15/06
Other gravity-operated toy figures: self-righting toys
A63H 27/12
Toy aircraft; Other flying toys: helicopters ; Flying tops
A63H 30/04
Electrical arrangements: using wireless transmission

Family

Application13/096,168Parent of this continuation-in-part · filed 28 Apr 2011
Application14/022,213Parent of this division · filed 9 Sep 2013
US 8,528,854 B2Parent of this continuation-in-part · filed 10 Sep 2013
Application14/751,104Parent of this division · filed 25 Jun 2015
US 9,067,667 B2Parent of this division · filed 30 Jun 2015
Application14/977,546Parent of this continuation · filed 21 Dec 2015
US 9,216,808 B2Parent of this division · filed 22 Dec 2015
Application15/257,904Parent of this continuation-in-part · filed 6 Sep 2016
US 9,434,462 B2Parent of this continuation · filed 6 Sep 2016
US 2018/0057135 A1Pre-grant publication · published 1 Mar 2018
US 9,725,158 B2Parent of this continuation-in-part
Application15/257,904Parent of this continuation
Application14/977,546Parent of this division
Application14/022,213Parent of this continuation-in-part
US 2012/0018579 A1Published application
US 2014/0014767 A1Published application
US 2015/0291272 A1Published application
US 2016/0176494 A1Published application
US 2016/0375983 A1Published application
US 10,112,694 B2This patent

From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.