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US 9,446,858 B2Granted
Apparatus and methods for tethered aerial platform and system
OwnerKevin Hessinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A drone system includes a drone that includes a propulsion system, a flight stabilizer system, and an air payload interface unit, and a camera system, wherein the camera system includes a camera stabilizing unit, and a ground support system to which the drone is detachably coupled through a tether unit, and for providing electrical power to the propulsion system. The drone system further includes a ground payload interface unit for receiving and transmitting command and telemetry information to the air payload interface unit through the tether unit, and a controlling device for controlling the propulsion system and the camera system through the tether unit.
Claims18
AN ETAP drone system comprising:
- a drone having a propulsion system, a flight stabilizer system, an air payload interface unit, and a camera system, wherein the camera system includes a camera stabilizing unit;
- a ground support system to which the drone is detachably coupled through a tether unit, said tether unit providing electrical power to the propulsion system;
- a ground payload, power and interface unit for receiving and transmitting command and telemetry information to the air payload interface unit through the tether unit;
- and a controlling device for controlling the propulsion system and the camera system through the tether unit;
- and further comprising:
- a winch operatively coupled to the tether unit and a winch control system configured to receive command information to ensure that the tether unit does not become entangled with objects foreign to an operating environment;
- in which the winch control system includes a constant slip ring apparatus that enjoins a spinning side and a stationary side together.
4 more elements
AN ETAP drone system comprising:
- a drone having a propulsion system, a flight stabilizer system, an air payload interface unit, and a camera system, wherein the camera system includes a camera stabilizing unit;
- a ground support system to which the drone is detachably coupled through a tether unit, said tether unit providing electrical power to the propulsion system;
- a ground payload, power and interface unit for receiving and transmitting command and telemetry information to the air payload interface unit through the tether unit;
- and a controlling device for controlling the propulsion system and the camera system through the tether unit.
1 more element
AN ETAP drone system comprising:
- a drone having a propulsion system, a flight stabilizer system, an air payload interface unit, and a camera system, wherein the camera system includes a camera stabilizing unit;
- a ground support system to which the drone is detachably coupled through a tether unit, said tether unit providing electrical power to the propulsion system;
- a ground payload, power and interface processor unit for receiving and transmitting command and telemetry information to the air payload interface unit through the tether unit;
- and a controlling device for controlling the propulsion system and the camera system through the tether unit;
- and further comprising a computer server that includes a processor and a memory, the memory storing instructions executable by the processor such that the server is configured to:
- to cause the generation of a flight mode and/or pattern whereby the drone automatically follows a moving ground control station or equipment associated therewith through the use of a differential GPS and optical alignment system.
3 more elements
A method comprising:
- (a) receiving and transmitting command and telemetry information to an ETAP drone system from a ground payload, power and interface unit through a detachable tether unit;
- (b) providing electrical power to a propulsion system for a drone which is a part of the ETAP drone system;
- (c) receiving and transmitting a signal from an event detection sensor which is a part of an event detection system;
- and (d) controlling the drone flight, stability and position through detachable tether;
- and further comprising transmitting command information to a winch control system configured to control a winch operatively coupled to the detachable tether unit to ensure that the tether unit does not become entangled with objects foreign to an operating environment;
- in which the winch control system controls a constant slip ring apparatus having a spinning side and a stationary side together.
3 more elements
A method comprising:
- (a) receiving and transmitting command and telemetry information to an ETAP drone system from a ground payload, power and interface unit through a detachable tether unit;
- (b) providing electrical power to a propulsion system for a drone which is a part of the ETAP drone system;
- (c) receiving and transmitting a signal from an event detection sensor which is a part of an event detection system;
- and (d) controlling the drone flight, stability and position through detachable tether;
- and further comprising generating of a flight mode and/or pattern whereby the drone automatically follows a moving ground control station or equipment associated therewith through the use of a differential GPS and optical alignment system and providing instructions to the drone through a computer server that includes a processor and a memory, the memory storing instructions executable by the processor such that the server is configured to generate the flight mode.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.