# US 2020/0260714 A1 · Angle-Adjusting Sub-Assembly and Unmanned Aerial Vehicle and Apparatus Comprising Same > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2020/0260714 A1 - Document ID: US20200260714A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 16/645,473 - Filed: 2017-08-09 - Published: 2020-08-20 - Earliest claimed: 2017-03-06 - Inventors: Andrew Pleatman - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20200260714A1 ## CPC - A01M 7/0042: {Field sprayers, e.g. self-propelled, drawn or tractor-mounted} - A01M 7/0075: {including folding means} - A01G 7/06: Treatment of growing trees or plants, e.g. for preventing decay of wood, for tingeing flowers or wood, for prolonging the life of plants - A01M 7/0057: {with active regulation of the boom position} - A01M 7/006: {Mounting of the nozzles} - A01M 7/0085: {Tanks} - A01M 21/043: {by chemicals} - B64D 1/18: by spraying, e.g. insecticides - B64D 41/00: Power installations for auxiliary purposes - B64U 10/13: Flying platforms - B64U 60/50: with landing legs - B64U 20/65: Composite materials - B64U 2101/40: for agriculture or forestry operations - Y02A 40/28: specially adapted for farming - A01M: CATCHING, TRAPPING OR SCARING OF ANIMALS (appliances for catching swarms or drone-catching A01K57/00; fishing A01K69/00 - {A01K99/00}; biocides, pest repellants or attractants A01N); APPARATUS FOR THE DESTRUCTION OF NOXIOUS ANIMALS OR NOXIOUS PLANTS - A01G: HORTICULTURE; CULTIVATION OF VEGETABLES, FLOWERS, RICE, FRUIT, VINES, HOPS OR SEAWEED; FORESTRY; WATERING (picking of fruits, vegetables, hops or the like A01D46/00; propagating unicellular algae C12N1/12) - B64D: EQUIPMENT FOR FITTING IN OR TO AIRCRAFT; FLIGHT SUITS; PARACHUTES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF POWER PLANTS OR PROPULSION TRANSMISSIONS IN AIRCRAFT - B64U: UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLES [UAV]; EQUIPMENT THEREFOR - Y02A: TECHNOLOGIES FOR ADAPTATION TO CLIMATE CHANGE ## Abstract An angle-adjusting sub-assembly (6) that is part of or attached to an unmanned aerial vehicle and apparatus (1), for the targeted distribution of hazardous chemicals onto vegetation, and is comprised of: adjustable arms (7), rotary system, which adjusts the length and angle of the adjustable arms while the aerial vehicle and apparatus are airborne. An unmanned aerial vehicle and apparatus, for the targeted distribution of hazardous chemicals onto vegetation, is comprised of: the angle-adjusting sub-assembly (6), a spray assembly, a flying platform, a storage tank (2) containing pesticide, bactericide, herbicide, fungicide, or any hazardous chemical that can be sprayed on vegetation, a supporting structure (4), and a landing sub-assembly. Using of the above device decreases the runoff of toxic chemical waste to the environment, increases chemical application efficiency, and allows for the precise targeting of pests on crops. ## Claims ### Claim 1 1) An angle-adjusting sub-assembly that is part of or attached to an unmanned aerial vehicle and apparatus, for the targeted distribution of hazardous chemicals onto vegetation, and is comprised of: a) one or more adjustable arms; b) a chain-and-hinge, electric-motor, pneumatic rotary system, or hydraulic rotary system, which adjusts both the length and angle of the adjustable arms while the aerial vehicle and apparatus are airborne. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) 2) The angle-adjusting sub-assembly of claim 1, where the adjustable arms are composed of any combination of composite material, polymeric material, or light metal, including, but not limited to, carbon fiber, glass fiber, or aluminum alloy. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) 3) The angle-adjusting sub-assembly of claim 1, where the length of the adjustable arms changes between 60 and 300 centimeters while the unmanned aerial vehicle is airborne. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) 4) The angle-adjusting sub-assembly of claim 1, where the angle of the adjustable arms rotates between 0 and 120 degrees while the unmanned aerial vehicle and apparatus of claim 1 are airborne. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) 5) The angle-adjusting sub-assembly of claim 1, where the length and angle of the adjustable arms are changed using electronic motors, comprised of electric servo motors and rotating metal pallets, physically attached to the adjustable arms. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1, 5) 6) The electronic motors of claim 1 or 5, where the length and angle of the adjustable arms are changed using electronic motors physically attached to the adjustable arms. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) 7) The angle-adjusting sub-assembly of claim 1, where the adjustable arms that change in length and angle, while the unmanned aerial vehicle and apparatus of claim 1 is airborne, are used to precisely target pests, fungi, bacteria, or undesirable vegetation with hazardous chemicals. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) 8) The angle-adjusting sub-assembly of claim 1, for minimizing the spray radius generated when eliminating pests, bacteria, fungi, or undesirable vegetation. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) 9) The angle-adjusting sub-assembly of claim 1, for minimizing toxic exposure generated when eliminating pests, bacteria, fungi, or undesirable vegetation. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) 10) An unmanned aerial vehicle and apparatus, for the targeted distribution of hazardous chemicals onto vegetation, comprised of: a) the angle-adjusting sub-assembly from claim 1; b) a spray assembly; c) a flying platform operated by batteries and propellers; d) a storage tank containing pesticide, bactericide, herbicide, fungicide, or any hazardous chemical that can be sprayed on vegetation; e) a supporting structure, and; f) a landing sub-assembly ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) 11) The unmanned aerial vehicle and apparatus of claim 10, where said storage tank is comprised of plastic, polyethylene, or aluminum alloy. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) 12) The unmanned aerial vehicle and apparatus of claim 10, where said storage tank holds a volume between five and thirty liters. ### Claim 13 (depends on 10) 13) The unmanned aerial vehicle and apparatus of claim 10, where said spray assembly contains an electrically-driven pump used to transfer chemical from the storage tank to the nozzles of the spray assembly for distribution. ### Claim 14 (depends on 10, 12, 13) 14) The unmanned aerial vehicle and apparatus of claim 10, where said spray assembly contains nozzles for distributing chemicals onto the vegetation and tubes connecting the nozzles with the storage tank of claims 12 and 13. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1, 14) 15) The spray assembly of claim 1 or 14, where the nozzles are comprised of ceramic, stainless steel, brass, polymer, plastic, or polypropylene. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1, 14) 16) The spray assembly of claim 1 or 14, where the nozzles dispense chemicals onto vegetation at a rate between 0.1-5 liters per minute. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1, 14) 17) The spray assembly of claim 1 or 14, where the number of nozzles included can be adjusted according to need. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1, 10, 14) 18) The spray assembly of claim 1 or 14, where the nozzles are attached to the adjustable arms from the angle-adjusting sub-assembly of the unmanned aerial vehicle and apparatus of claim 1 or 10. ### Claim 19 (depends on 1, 10, 14) 19) The spray assembly of claim 1 or 14, where the nozzles are oriented directionally using the adjustable arms in the angle-adjusting sub-assembly of the unmanned aerial vehicle and apparatus of claim 1 or 10. ### Claim 20 (depends on 1, 14) 20) The spray assembly of claim 1 or 14, where the tubes are comprised of silica gel, nylon pressure, or polyvinyl chloride tubes. ### Claim 21 (depends on 1, 14) 21) The spray assembly of claim 1 or 14, where the tubes are between four to thirty millimeters in diameter. ### Claim 22 (depends on 1, 14) 22) The spray assembly of claim 1 or 14, where the tubes are adjustable in length between one to eight meters. ### Claim 23 (depends on 1, 10, 14) 23) The spray assembly of claim 1 or 14, where the tubes are placed parallel to the fixed and adjustable arms in the angle-adjusting sub-assembly of the unmanned aerial vehicle and apparatus of claim 1 or 10. ### Claim 24 (depends on 1, 10, 14) 24) The unmanned aerial vehicle and apparatus of claim 1 or 10, where the supporting structure consists of two or more legs, comprised of one or more metal alloys, and one or more fixed arms, between 60 and 300 centimeters in length, that protrudes from the lower half of the legs beneath the placement of the spray assembly of claim 1 or 14. ### Claim 25 (depends on 1, 10) 25) The supporting structure of claim 10, or 24, where the legs are physically attached to the flying platform, the storage tank, and the spray assembly, and the fixed arms are physically attached to the adjustable arms from the angle-adjusting sub-assembly of claim 1. ### Claim 26 (depends on 10, 24) 26) The supporting structure of claim 10 or 24, where the fixed arms are comprised of any combination of composite material, polymeric material, or light metal. ### Claim 27 (depends on 10, 24) 27) The supporting structure of claim 10 or 24, where the fixed arms are comprised of carbon fiber, glass fiber, or aluminum alloy. ### Claim 28 (depends on 1, 10, 14) 28) The angle-adjusting sub-assembly of claim 1, where the adjustable arms are attached to the nozzles of the spray assembly of claim 10 or 14, and, by changing in length and angle while the unmanned aerial vehicle and apparatus of claim 1 or 10 are airborne, directionally orient the nozzles for the precise targeting of pests, bacteria, or fungus attacking vegetation. ### Claim 29 (depends on 1, 10, 24) 29) angle-adjusting sub-assembly of claim 1, where the length and angle of the adjustable arms are changed using an attached chain-and-hinge system consisting of: a) solid inner tubes attached to both the fixed arms from the supporting structure of claim 10 or 24, and to the adjustable arms of the angle-adjusting sub-assembly; b) a hinge attached to the edges of said solid inner tubes, said fixed arms, and said adjustable arms; c) an extendable chain that attaches to the hinge, the inner tubes, the fixed arms, and the adjustable arms, and; d) one or more manual, electric, hydraulic or air pressure-based controls causing the chain to extend and retract. ### Claim 30 (depends on 1, 10, 29) 30) The chain-and-hinge system of claim 1 or 29, where said system causes the length and angle of the adjustable arms to change while the unmanned aerial vehicle and apparatus of claim 1 or 10 is airborne. ### Claim 31 (depends on 1, 10, 24) 31) The angle-adjusting sub-assembly of claim 1, where the solid tubes are adjustable in length and the length and angle of the adjustable arms are changed using a hydraulic rotary actuator situated between the fixed arms of the supporting structure of claim 10 or 24. ### Claim 32 (depends on 1, 10, 24) 32) The angle-adjusting sub-assembly of claim 1, where the solid tubes are adjustable in length and the length and angle of the adjustable arms are changed using a pneumatic rotary actuator structure situated between the fixed arms of the supporting structure of claim 10 or 24. ### Claim 33 (depends on 1, 32) 33) The angle-adjusting sub-assembly of claim 1 or 32, where the pneumatic rotary actuator consists of a pneumatic rotary actuator, air ducts allowing gas to come in and out of the angle-adjusting sub-assembly, and a valve to control the direction of the airflow. ### Claim 34 (depends on 1) 34) The angle-adjusting sub-assembly of claim 1, where hinges in the landing sub-assembly of claim 1 cause the adjustable arms of the sub-assembly to retract and bend inward at an acute angle when the unmanned aerial vehicle and apparatus of claim 1 is landing. ### Claim 35 (depends on 1, 10, 14) 35) The angle-adjusting sub-assembly of claim 1, where the retraction and inward, acute bending of the adjustable arms protects the spray assembly of claim 10 or 14 when the unmanned aerial vehicle and apparatus of claim 1 or 10 is landing. ### Claim 36 (depends on 1, 10) 36) The unmanned aerial vehicle and apparatus of claim 1 or 10, where the flying platform is attached to the top of the storage tank and supporting structure. ### Claim 37 (depends on 1, 10) 37) The unmanned aerial vehicle and apparatus of claim 1 or 10, where the landing sub-assembly is comprised of hinges and one or more landing wheels, plates, or bumpers that protect the aerial vehicle and apparatus during landing. ### Claim 38 (depends on 10, 37) 38) The landing sub-assembly of claim 10 or 37, where the bending of the hinges at an angle between 0 and 90 degrees enables the retraction and inward, acute bending of the adjustable arms of the angle-adjusting sub-assembly. ### Claim 39 (depends on 10, 37) 39) The landing sub-assembly of claim 10 or 37, where both the hinges and the landing wheels, plates or bumpers are attached to the adjustable arms of the angle-adjusting sub-assembly.