US 11,814,169 B2 · Untethered flying micro-robots

Abstract

An aerial robot system may include an aerial robot having an airframe, a piezo actuator, a wing connected to the piezo actuator, and a photovoltaic cell. The system may further include a laser source configured to emit a laser beam oriented toward the photovoltaic cell for conversion by the photovoltaic cell into electrical energy. The aerial robot may further include a boost converter connected to the photovoltaic cell and configured to raise a voltage level of the electrical energy, and a signal generator connected to the boost converter and configured to generate an alternating signal. The piezo actuator is connected to the signal generator to move according to the alternating signal to cause the wing to move in a flapping motion to generate aerodynamic force that moves the robot. Methods for manufacturing aerial robots and corresponding electronics are also disclosed herein.

Claims20

Dependent claims

An aerial robot system, comprising:

an aerial robot including—
an airframe;
a piezo actuator carried by the airframe;
a wing carried by the airframe and connected to the piezo actuator;
a photovoltaic cell carried by the airframe;
a boost converter connected to the photovoltaic cell and configured to raise a voltage level of electrical energy;
and
a signal generator connected to the boost converter and configured to generate a periodic signal,
wherein the piezo actuator is connected to the signal generator to move according to the periodic signal;
—and
wherein the aerial robot does not carry a battery,
a laser source configured to emit a laser beam, and
wherein, during operation,
the photovoltaic cell carried by the airframe is configured to receive the laser beam from the laser source for conversion by the photovoltaic cell into electrical energy, and
the piezo actuator is configured to actuate the wing to move in a flapping motion, thereby generating aerodynamic force to move the aerial robot along a ground locomotive path or in aerial flight.

12 more elements

A robot system, comprising:

a robot including a frame portion and a piezo actuator, wherein the frame portion comprises a receiving structure configured to hold a first end of the piezo actuator, and a transmission structure having one or more flexure joints, the transmission structure being connected to a second end of the piezo actuator opposite the first end,
wherein the frame portion is formed from layers of composite material and polymer film, and wherein the receiving structure and the transmission structure are integral with the frame portion;
a wing attached to the transmission structure;
a photovoltaic cell connected to the frame portion;
and
an electronic component assembly operably coupled to the photovoltaic cell and the piezo actuator,
wherein, in use, the photovoltaic cell is configured to receive light energy from a remote energy source and convert the light energy to electrical energy,
wherein, in use, the electronic component assembly is configured to provide a periodic energy signal to the piezo actuator to cause the wing to oscillate and create aerodynamic force.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Untethered flying micro-robots

Life of this patent

Untethered flying micro-robots

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20