Fuel delivery to a vehicle
AssigneeFord Global Technologies, LLC
InventorsSomak DATTA GUPTA, Cynthia M. NEUBECKER, Brian BENNIE, Brad Alan IGNACZAK
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A computer that includes a processor and memory which stores instructions executable by the processor. The instructions include: initiate, from a vehicle, a fuel delivery request for fuel delivery by an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV); in response to the initiation, instruct a communication module in the vehicle to transmit a beacon signal to enable the UAV to locate the vehicle; and coordinate a docking procedure between the UAV and the vehicle to receive fuel from the UAV.
Claims20
A computer, programmed to:
- initiate, from a vehicle, a fuel delivery request for fuel delivery by an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV);
- in response to the initiation, instruct a communication module in the vehicle to transmit a beacon signal to enable the UAV to locate the vehicle;
- and
- coordinate a docking procedure between the UAV and the vehicle to receive fuel from the UAV.
A computer, programmed to:
- initiate, from a vehicle, a fuel delivery request to be filled by an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV);
- determine that the UAV has docked to the vehicle;
- and
- electronically actuate a port on the vehicle receive fuel therefrom.
A computer program product for an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), the product comprising a set of instructions stored on a computer-readable medium and executable by a processor, the instructions comprising:
- receive a fuel delivery request from a vehicle;
- based on the request, carry a fuel parcel toward the vehicle;
- identify the vehicle using a beacon signal sent therefrom;
- dock to the identified vehicle;
- and
- deliver a fuel payload in response to receiving an instruction from the vehicle.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.