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US 11,299,268 B2Granted
Positioning of in-situ methane sensor on a vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) unmanned aerial system (UAS)
AssigneeCalifornia Institute of Technology
InventorsLance E. Christensen, Brendan J. Smith, Vlad Manzatianu
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) for use in the detection, localization, and quantification of gas leaks are provided. More specifically the use of an in-situ sensor mounted to a UAS such that the sensor is positioned in a region unaffected by prop wash that is relatively undisturbed by the effects of the propeller(s) and other environmental conditions when in use is described. Additionally, methods of determining the optimal placement of the in-situ sensor on any given UAS are also provided.
Claims12
An unmanned aerial system comprising:
- a vehicle body having a first vehicle end and a second vehicle end,
- at least one propulsion control system integrally connected to the vehicle body,
- at least one power source electronically connected to the at least one propulsion control system,
- at least one propulsion system electronically connected to and in signal communication with the at least one propulsion control system and connected to the vehicle body wherein the at least one propulsion system, in conjunction with the propulsion control system, is capable of producing at least a vertical and horizontal propulsion of the UAS and wherein the propulsion system generates at least a turbulent airflow region and at least one region unaffected by prop wash,
- at least one mounting apparatus with a first end and a second end wherein the at least one mounting apparatus is connected to the vehicle body such that the first end of the at least one mounting apparatus extends beyond the first vehicle end and the second end extends past the second vehicle end wherein the first end of the mounting apparatus is positioned in the at least one region unaffected by prop wash,
- at least one sensing device adjustably connected to the at least one mounting apparatus and positioned at the first end of the at least one mounting apparatus such that the sensing device is situationally positioned within the at least one region unaffected by prop wash of the UAS, and
- at least one sensing control device electronically connected to and in signal communication with the sensing device.
4 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.