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US 11,377,212 B2Granted
Unmanned aircraft for safe aerial lifting
OwnerSamia A. Singerinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Embodiments described herein relate to arrangements in which unmanned aerial vehicle (UAVs) are adapted to retrieve or carry a payload without becoming caught or snagged, e.g., on a tree or building. Such arrangements may help to prevent accidents or loss of the UAV.
Claims17
An aerial device for lifting a payload, the device comprising:
- a payload;
- a multirotor unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV);
- a magnetic coupling comprising a first coupling part and a second coupling part;
- a switch;
- and
- two or more conductors connecting the switch to the UAV;
- wherein:
- one of the first coupling part and the second coupling part comprises a first permanent magnet;
- the other of the first coupling part and the second coupling part comprises a ferromagnetic counterpart or a second permanent magnet;
- the first coupling part is configured to releasably attach to the second coupling part by magnetic force;
- the switch is configured to detect separation of the first coupling part from the second coupling part;
- and wherein the UAV is configured to remain stationary in response to the switch detecting separation of the first coupling part from the second coupling part;
- and wherein:
- the first coupling part is attached to the UAV;
- the second coupling part is attached to a hook;
- the hook is configured to attach to the payload;
- and
- the magnetic force between the first coupling part and the second coupling part is:
- less than the maximal net lift of the unmanned aerial vehicle;
- and
- greater than the aggregate weight of the payload, the second coupling part, and the hook.
18 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.