Apparatuses, systems, and methods for improved landing of aerial vehicles
AssigneeOpti-Logic Corporation
InventorJonathan Murphy
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A device attachable to an aerial vehicle that incorporates electronics to control sensor position data and verify safety of aerial vehicle landing area. The device may be easily attached to an existing aerial vehicle. The device monitors sensor data from one or more distance measuring sensors and pressure sensors to set an angle of incidence for the distance measuring sensors. This pressure sensor derived angle setting allows for a continual data mapping of the aerial vehicles landing area to enhance and improve the landing zone.
Claims19
An aerial vehicle aide attachment device, comprising:
- a housing;
- a mounting plate configured to permit attachment to an aerial vehicle;
- a rotation section configured to rotate at least one element within the housing;
- a distance measurement device coupled to the rotation section and configured to obtain a distance from the attachment device to a surface;
- a processor configured to obtain the distance from the attachment device to the surface and to obtain sensor data corresponding to altitude of the attachment device or an aerial vehicle attached thereto, the processor configured to determine an angle incident with respect to vertical based at least in part upon the distance from the attachment device to the surface and the altitude;
- a motor;
- a pivot coupled to the distance measurement device and to the rotation section;
- and
- an adjustment mechanism coupled to the motor and in contact with the measurement device, the adjustment mechanism configured to adjust an angle of the distance measurement device at least in part according to the angle incident with respect to vertical.
An aerial vehicle, comprising:
- an aerial vehicle body;
- and
- an aerial vehicle aide attachment device, comprising:
- a housing;
- a mounting plate configured to permit attachment to an aerial vehicle;
- a rotation section configured to rotate at least one element within the housing;
- a distance measurement device coupled to the rotation section and configured to obtain a distance from the attachment device to a surface;
- a processor configured to obtain the distance from the attachment device to the surface and to obtain sensor data corresponding to altitude of the attachment device or an aerial vehicle attached thereto, the processor configured to determine an angle incident with respect to vertical based at least in part upon the distance from the attachment device to the surface and the altitude;
- a motor;
- a pivot coupled to the distance measurement device and to the rotation section;
- and
- an adjustment mechanism coupled to the motor and in contact with the measurement device, the adjustment mechanism configured to adjust an angle of the distance measurement device at least in part according to the angle incident with respect to vertical.
A method for providing improved landing of aerial vehicles, comprising:
- attaching a device to an aerial vehicle;
- measuring a distance to a surface by a distance measurement device of the device;
- obtaining an altitude measurement of the device or the aerial vehicle;
- determining an angle incident relative to vertical based at least in part upon the distance to surface and the altitude measurement;
- adjusting a position or orientation of the distance measurement device according to the determined angle incident relative to vertical;
- and determining a safe landing status based at least in part upon the adjusted position or orientation of the distance measurement device, wherein the determining the angle incident relative to vertical based at least in part upon the distance to surface and the altitude measurement comprises determining an angle relative to a vertical axis associated with a pivot shaft of the device.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.