Unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) landing systems
AssigneeUnited Parcel Service of America, Inc.
InventorJulian Bell
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A landing system suitable for receiving an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) comprises an autonomous ground vehicle (AGV). A landing surface is disposed on the AGV, and the landing system comprises a loading channel suitable for passing an object delivered by the UAV through a first loading channel opening in the landing surface. The object passes within the loading channel through to a second loading channel opening at a bottom aspect of the AGV. In this way, a UAV can land on the landing surface, and the AGV positions the object in line with a target delivery location, where the object is delivered. Aspects of the landing system comprise an electromagnet or vacuum chamber for securing the UAV to the landing surface, thereby enhancing stability of the UAV during movement of the landing system.
Claims15
A landing system comprising:
- a landing surface;
- and
- a plurality of vacuum systems, wherein each vacuum system of the plurality of vacuum systems comprises a vacuum chamber and a vacuum pump, the vacuum chamber comprises an open end proximate the landing surface, the landing surface comprises a perforated area at the open end such that external air can be drawn into the vacuum chamber through the perforated area, and the vacuum pump is coupled to a controller operable to activate the vacuum pump to draw the external air from the vacuum chamber when a contact area of a unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) is positioned at the open end to at least partially seal the open end and secure the UAV to the landing surface.
A landing system comprising:
- a landing surface;
- and
- a vacuum system comprising a vacuum chamber and a vacuum pump, wherein the vacuum chamber comprises an open end proximate the landing surface, the landing surface comprises a perforated area at the open end such that external air can be drawn into the vacuum chamber through the perforated area, and the vacuum pump is coupled to a controller operable to activate the vacuum pump to draw the external air from the vacuum chamber when a contact area of a unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) is positioned at the open end to at least partially seal the open end and secure the UAV to the landing surface.
A method comprising:
- receiving a contact area of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) carrying an object at a landing system, wherein the landing system comprises:
- a landing surface,
- a loading channel, the loading channel comprising a first loading channel opening formed by the landing surface and extending through to a second loading channel opening at a bottom aspect of the landing system that is opposite the landing surface, and
- a vacuum system comprising a vacuum chamber and a vacuum pump, the vacuum chamber comprising an open end proximate the landing surface, the landing surface comprising a perforated area at the open end such that external air can be drawn into the vacuum chamber through the perforated area, and the vacuum pump is coupled to a controller;
- activating, via the controller, the vacuum pump to draw the external air from the vacuum chamber when the contact area of the UAV is positioned at the open end to at least partially seal the open end and secure the UAV to the landing surface;
- aligning the object carried by the UAV with a target delivery location;
- determining that the object carried by the UAV has passed through the loading channel and to the target delivery location;
- and
- subsequent to the object passing to the target delivery location, deactivating, via the controller, the vacuum pump to release the UAV from the landing surface.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.