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US 11,319,042 B2Granted
System and apparatus for attaching and transporting an autonomous vehicle
AssigneeThe United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
InventorsEric Seeley, Jennifer Guild
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A field configurable autonomous vehicle includes modular elements and attachable components. The vehicle can be assembled from these modular elements and components to meet desired mission and performance characteristics without the need to purchase specially designed vehicles for each mission. The vehicle can include a mechanisms that magnetically attaches to a ferry vehicle for transport to the location of use.
Claims13
A method for releasing a vehicle from an attached structure, comprising the steps of:
- locating a first diametrically magnetized magnet having both a first polarity and an opposite polarity in an interior volume of said vehicle;
- coupling a second diametrically magnetized magnet, having both said first polarity and said opposite polarity, on an exterior portion of the structure such that said opposite polarity of said second magnet is proximate said first polarity of said first magnet;
- rotating at least one of said first magnet and said second magnet;
- halting rotation of said magnet when said opposite polarity of said first magnet is proximate said opposite polarity of said second magnet;
- and,
- releasing said vehicle from said structure.
3 more elements
An apparatus for transporting and ferrying a vehicle, comprising:
- a first diametrically magnetized magnet having both a first polarity and an opposite polarity in an interior volume of said vehicle;
- a second diametrically magnetized magnet having both said first polarity and said opposite polarity, placed on a ferry apparatus such that said opposite polarity of said second magnet is proximate said first polarity of said first magnet;
- a mechanism for rotating at least one of said first magnet and said second magnet;
- and,
- a device for releasing the vehicle by halting rotation of said at least one magnet when said opposite polarity of said first magnet is proximate said opposite polarity of said second magnet.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.