Drone including a piezoelectric structure and/or a self-energizing capability
OwnerAnya L. Getmaninventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A drone equipped with piezoelectric structures and/or a self-energizing capability has increased functionality. The piezoelectric structures can act as a variety of sensors and/or can implement or perform a variety of tasks, especially those associated with assisting a vehicle. The self-energizing capability can extend operations and/or permit a drone low on power to sufficiently recharge to fly home.
Claims25
A drone capable of self-energizing, comprising:
- multiple sensors or actuators, wherein one of the sensors or actuators includes a piezoelectric structure;
- a wireless communication system;
- an on-board charge-receiving system configured to directly or indirectly connect with an external charging station operable to provide energy;
- an energy storage system directly or indirectly connected or connectable to the on-board charge-receiving system, wherein the energy storage system is configured to store energy provided by the external charging system;
- a flight mechanism powered by the energy storage system;
- and
- a self-energizing system operable to collect energy when disconnected from the external charging station, wherein the self-energizing system is directly or indirectly connected or connectable to the energy storage system.
A method for completing an operation with a drone, the drone having multiple sensors or actuators with at least one employing a piezoelectric structure, a wireless communication system, an on-board charge-receiving system configured to directly or indirectly connect with an external charging station operable to provide energy, an energy storage system directly or indirectly connected or connectable to the on-board charge-receiving system, wherein the energy storage system is configured to store energy provided by the external charging system;
- a flight mechanism powered by the energy storage system, and a self-energizing system operable to collect energy when disconnected from the external charging station, wherein the self-energizing system is directly or indirectly connected or connectable to the energy storage system, the method comprising:
- causing the drone to perform a task that depletes the energy storage system below a level that is sufficient for the drone to fly to the external charging station;
- causing the drone to deploy the self-energizing system from a passive configuration to an active configuration;
- causing the drone to utilize the self-energizing system to obtain sufficient energy for the drone to fly to the external charging station;
- causing the drone to return the self-energizing system from the active configuration to the passive configuration;
- and
- causing the drone to fly to the external charging station.
A drone operable to change between two or more visually distinguishable configurations, comprising:
- multiple sensors;
- a wireless communication system;
- an energy storage system;
- a flight mechanism powered by the energy storage system;
- and
- a piezoelectric structure operable to change the appearance of the drone between a first configuration and a second configuration, wherein the second configuration is visually distinguishable from the first configuration.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.