Virtual sensor mast
AssigneeLockheed Martin Corporation
InventorsMichael S. Beck, Wendell H. Chun, Jon T. Stinchcomb
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A virtual sensor mast for a ground vehicle and a method for operating a ground vehicle using a virtual sensor mast are disclosed. The virtual sensor mast includes an unmanned airborne vehicle capable of lifting itself from the ground vehicle upon deployment therefrom; a sensor suite mounted to the unmanned airborne vehicle; and a tether between the unmanned airborne vehicle and the ground vehicle over which the sensor suite is capable of communicating sensed data upon deployment. The method includes elevating a tethered unmanned airborne vehicle from the ground vehicle to a predetermined height; sensing environmental conditions surrounding the ground vehicle; and terminating the deployment.
Claims48
A virtual sensor mast for a ground vehicle, comprising:
- an unmanned airborne vehicle capable of lifting itself from the ground vehicle upon deployment therefrom;
- a sensor suite mounted to the unmanned airborne vehicle;
- and
- a tether between the unmanned airborne vehicle and the ground vehicle over which the sensor suite is capable of communicating sensed data upon deployment.
A ground vehicle, comprising:
- a chassis;
- a virtual sensor mast, including:
- an unmanned airborne vehicle capable of lifting itself from the chassis upon deployment therefrom;
- a sensor suite mounted to the unmanned airborne vehicle;
- a tether between the unmanned airborne vehicle and the chassis over which the sensor suite is capable of communicating sensed data upon deployment
- a processing system for controlling the operation of the ground vehicle, including the virtual sensor mast.
A vehicle, comprising:
- a chassis;
- a receiver mounted on the chassis;
- and
- an unmanned airborne vehicle tethered to the chassis, the unmanned airborne vehicle housing at least one sensor and capable of transmitting sensed data to the receiver.
A method far use in operating a ground vehicle, comprising:
- elevating a tethered unmanned airborne vehicle from the ground vehicle to a predetermined height;
- sensing environmental conditions surrounding the ground vehicle from the unmanned airborne vehicle;
- transmitting the sensed data from the unmanned airborne vehicle to the around vehicle;
- and
- terminating the deployment.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.