# US 10,479,490 B2 · Multi-configuration autonomous platform with mounted camera

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- Number: US 10,479,490 B2
- Document ID: US10479490B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 15/386,344
- Filed: 2016-12-21
- Published: 2017-09-14
- Granted: 2019-11-19
- Earliest claimed: 2015-12-21
- Applicants: JoeBen Bevirt; Andy Clark
- Inventors: JoeBen Bevirt; Andy Clark
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10479490B2

## CPC

- B64C 27/52: Tilting of rotor bodily relative to fuselage (of see-saw type construction B64C27/43)
- B64C 27/50: Blades foldable to facilitate stowage of aircraft
- B64U 30/293: Foldable or collapsible rotors or rotor supports
- B64U 30/299: Rotor guards (ducted or shrouded rotors B64U30/26; guards used as ground propulsion B64U60/60)
- B64U 10/14: with four distinct rotor axes, e.g. quadcopters
- B64U 20/50: Foldable or collapsible UAVs (with frangible components B64U20/30)
- B64U 30/297: Tilting rotors
- B64U 50/14: ducted or shrouded
- B64U 60/70: Movable wings, rotor supports or shrouds acting as ground-engaging elements
- B64U 2101/30: for imaging, photography or videography
- B64U 2201/10: autonomous, i.e. by navigating independently from ground or air stations, e.g. by using inertial navigation systems [INS]
- B64U 2201/20: Remote controls
- Y02T 50/60: Efficient propulsion technologies, e.g. for aircraft
- B64C: AEROPLANES; HELICOPTERS
- B64U: UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLES [UAV]; EQUIPMENT THEREFOR
- Y02T: CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO TRANSPORTATION

## Abstract

A system for video imaging and photographing using an autonomous aerial platform. The system may be a quad rotor system using electrically powered propellers. The aerial platform may be commanded by the user to follow an object of interest. The aerial platform may have multiple configurations for its thrust units such that they are clear of the field of view of the imaging device in a first configuration, such that they protect the imaging device during landing in a second configuration, and that allows for efficient storage in a stowed configuration.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A multi-configuration quad-rotor system, said multi-configuration quad-rotor system comprising:
an aerial platform;
a plurality of thrust units coupled to said aerial platform,
wherein said thrust units are adapted to have a multitude of deployed configurations, wherein said thrust units comprise
an electric motor;
a propeller; and
a propeller guard,
wherein each of said thrust units deploy as a unit, and wherein each of said propeller guards is rotationally coupled to said aerial platform.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The multi-configuration quad-rotor system of claim 1 wherein said plurality of thrust units comprises four thrust units.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The multi-configuration quad rotor system of claim 2 wherein said aerial platform is adapted for regular flight in a first, horizontal, configuration parallel to a first horizontal plane along the bottom of said aerial platform.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The multi-configuration quad-rotor system of claim 3 further comprising an imaging device affixed to and underneath said aerial platform.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The multi-configuration quad-rotor system of claim 4 wherein said thrust units provide thrust perpendicular to said first horizontal plane while in said first configuration.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The multi-configuration quad-rotor system of claim 1 wherein said thrust units are adapted to pivot to a stowed configuration such that the structure of said thrust units pivots perpendicular to said first horizontal plane, thereby allowing for efficient packing of said multi-configuration quad-rotor system.

### Claim 7 (depends on 3)

The multi-configuration quad-rotor system of claim 3 wherein said thrust units are adapted to pivot into a second configuration such that the structure of said thrust units pivots above said first horizontal plane, thereby minimizing impact onto view lines of said imaging device.

### Claim 8 (depends on 3)

The multi-configuration quad-rotor system of claim 3 wherein said thrust units are adapted to pivot into a third configuration such that the structure of said thrust units pivots below said first horizontal plane, thereby protecting said imaging device during landing.

### Claim 9 (depends on 7)

The multi-configuration quad-rotor system of claim 7 wherein said thrust units are adapted to pivot into a third configuration such that the structure of said thrust units pivots below said first horizontal plane, thereby protecting said imaging device during landing.