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US 9,309,006 B2Granted
UAV payload module camera assembly and retraction mechanism
AssigneeAeroVironment, Inc.
InventorsJohn Peter Zwaan, Pavel Belik, Manolis Dimotakis, Christopher J. D'Aquila
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
In one possible embodiment, a UAV payload module retraction mechanism is provided including a payload pivotally attached to a housing. A biasing member is mounted to bias the payload out of the housing and a winch is attached to the payload. An elongated flexible drawing member is coupled between the housing and the winch, the elongated drawing flexible member being capable of being drawn by the winch to retract the payload within the housing.
Claims21
A UAV payload module retraction mechanism apparatus comprising:
- a) a payload module housing;
- b) a payload pivotally attached to the housing;
- c) a winch attached to the payload;
- d) a biasing member mounted to bias the payload out of the housing;
- and
- e) an elongated flexible drawing member coupled between the housing and the winch, the elongated flexible drawing member connected to the winch such that the elongated flexible drawing member is drawn onto the winch for retracting the payload within the housing and the elongated flexible drawing member is extended from the winch for releasing the payload from the housing.
3 more elements
A UAV payload module retraction mechanism apparatus comprising:
- a) a payload module housing comprising an opening in a bottom wall of the housing;
- b) a payload pivotally attached in a forward position within the housing;
- c) a biasing member mounted to bias the payload out of the housing;
- d) a winch mounted to the payload;
- and
- e) a flexible cable coupled between the housing and the winch such that the flexible cable is drawn onto the winch for retracting the payload into and releasing the payload from the housing.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.