# US 10,870,479 B2 · Multi-architecture modular unmanned aerial system > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,870,479 B2 - Document ID: US10870479B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/928,355 - Filed: 2018-03-22 - Published: 2018-09-27 - Granted: 2020-12-22 - Earliest claimed: 2017-03-22 - Assignees: Aurora Flight Sciences Corporation - Applicants: Aurora Flight Sciences Corporation - Inventors: Christopher Courtin - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10870479B2 ## CPC - B64U 30/10: Wings - B64U 20/40: Modular UAVs - B64U 30/20: Rotors; Rotor supports - B64C 2211/00: Modular constructions of airplanes or helicopters - B64U 2101/30: for imaging, photography or videography - B64U 2201/20: Remote controls - B64U: UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLES [UAV]; EQUIPMENT THEREFOR - B64C: AEROPLANES; HELICOPTERS ## Abstract Disclosed herein is a modular aerial vehicle system having a fuselage module configured to couple with a plurality of lift generation modules. The modular aerial vehicle system may comprise a fuselage module and a lift generation module. The fuselage module can include a first attachment interface, an avionics system operatively coupled with a power unit (e.g., via an ESC), and a communications system operatively coupled with the flight controller. The lift generation module can include a second attachment interface and a plurality of propulsors. The fuselage module may be configured to removably couple with the lift generation module via the first and second attachment interfaces. The first and second attachment interfaces may comprise (1) a plurality of electrical contacts to facilitate electrical communication between the fuselage module and the lift generation module and/or (2) one or more retention devices to couple structurally the lift generation module with said fuselage module. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An aerial vehicle fuselage comprising: a flight controller operatively coupled with a power unit; and a communications system operatively coupled with the flight controller, wherein the aerial vehicle fuselage is configured to removably couple with one of a plurality of lift generation modules at an attachment point of the aerial vehicle fuselage via an attachment interface, wherein a plurality of electrical contacts are located at the attachment point to facilitate electrical communication between the flight controller and the one of a plurality of lift generation modules, and wherein at least one of the flight controller or the communications system is configured to authenticate said plurality of lift generation modules by communicating via one or more of the plurality of electrical contacts. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The aerial vehicle fuselage of claim 1, wherein the power unit, the flight controller, and the communications system are positioned in an airframe to define a fuselage module, wherein the attachment interface is coupled to the airframe and is configured to couple structurally with a second attachment interface of the one of a plurality of lift generation modules via one or more retention devices. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The aerial vehicle fuselage of claim 2, wherein the one or more retention devices includes an electromagnetic connector. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The aerial vehicle fuselage of claim 1, wherein said plurality of lift generation modules includes a multirotor vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) lift generation module and a fixed-wing lift generation module. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The aerial vehicle fuselage of claim 1, wherein the flight controller is configured to couple electrically said power unit to said one of said plurality of lift generation modules via one or more of the plurality of electrical contacts. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The aerial vehicle fuselage of claim 1, wherein at least one of the flight controller or the communications system is configured to notify an operator if the flight controller or the communications system cannot authenticate said plurality of lift generation modules. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The aerial vehicle fuselage of claim 1, wherein the power unit is a hybrid-electric system configured to generate electricity via an engine-driven generator. ### Claim 8 An aerial vehicle system comprising: a fuselage module comprising a first attachment interface, a flight controller operatively coupled with a power unit, and a communications system operatively coupled with the flight controller; and a lift generation module comprising a second attachment interface and a plurality of propulsors, wherein the fuselage module is configured to removably couple with the lift generation module via the first and second attachment interfaces, wherein the first and second attachment interfaces comprise (1) a plurality of electrical contacts to facilitate electrical communication between the fuselage module and the lift generation module and (2) one or more retention devices to couple structurally the lift generation module with said fuselage module, wherein the fuselage module is configured to employ a predetermined flight operation plan as a function of the lift generation module. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The aerial vehicle system of claim 8, wherein each of said plurality of propulsors is operatively coupled to an electronic speed controller (ESC) configured to control propulsor speed. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) The aerial vehicle system of claim 8, wherein the lift generation module is a fixed-wing lift generation module comprising at least one fixed wing. ### Claim 11 (depends on 8) The aerial vehicle system of claim 8, wherein the lift generation module is a multirotor vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) lift generation module. ### Claim 12 (depends on 8) The aerial vehicle system of claim 8, wherein the one or more retention devices includes a electromagnetic connector. ### Claim 13 (depends on 8) The aerial vehicle system of claim 8, wherein the flight controller is configured to couple electrically said power unit to the lift generation module via one or more of the plurality of electrical contacts. ### Claim 14 (depends on 8) The aerial vehicle system of claim 8, wherein at least one of the flight controller or the communications system is configured to communicate data with the lift generation module via one or more of the plurality of electrical contacts. ### Claim 15 A method for improving an operational capability of an aerial vehicle system, the method comprising: providing a fuselage module comprising a first attachment interface, a flight controller operatively coupled with a power unit, and a communications system operatively coupled with the flight controller; and providing a lift generation module comprising a second attachment interface and a plurality of propulsors, wherein the fuselage module is configured to removably couple with the lift generation module via the first and second attachment interfaces, wherein the first and second attachment interfaces comprise (1) a plurality of electrical contacts to facilitate electrical communication between the fuselage module and the lift generation module and (2) one or more retention devices to couple structurally the lift generation module with said second attachment interface, wherein the fuselage module is configured to receive service history information from the lift generation module. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, further comprising the step of removably coupling the lift generation module to the fuselage module. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, wherein the fuselage module is configured to authenticate the lift generation module to ensure compatibility or interoperability with the fuselage module. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The method of claim 17, wherein the fuselage module is configured to authenticate the one of the plurality of lift generation modules using radio-frequency identification (RFID). ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The method of claim 18, wherein the fuselage module comprises an RFID reader and the lift generation module comprises an RFID tag. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The method of claim 19, wherein the fuselage module processes information from the RFID tag in determining whether or not to authenticate the lift generation module.