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US 9,956,701 B2Granted
Payload deployment system
AssigneeHarris Corporation
InventorsMatthew D. Summer, Paul M. Bosscher
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Payload deployment system (400) comprises a payload deployment device (402) and a payload deployment structure (406) comprising a frame (102) having a first end, a second end, and a body extending from the first end toward the second end. The frame includes an aperture (106) located along a length of the body, wherein the aperture extends from a first surface of the frame to a second surface of the frame. A heating element (116) is located along a portion of an edge of the aperture, wherein the heating element is configured to be selectively electrically energized. The frame further includes a mounting portion (104) wherein the payload deployment structure is connected to the payload deployment device via the mounting portion.
Claims20
A payload deployment structure comprising:
- a frame having a first end, a second end, and a body extending from the first end toward the second end, wherein frame comprises:
- a mounting portion comprising a mechanical structure which is configured to engage a portion of a robotic vehicle such that the frame is supported on the robotic vehicle;
- at least a first aperture and a second aperture located along a length of the body, wherein the first and second apertures extend from a first surface of the frame to a second surface of the frame;
- a heating element located along a portion of an edge of each said first and second aperture, wherein the heating element is configured to be selectively electrically energized;
- and
- an electrical interface which is configured to receive one or more electrical signals from the robotic vehicle to facilitate selectively electrically energizing the heating element.
3 more elements
A payload deployment structure comprising:
- a frame having a first end, a second end, and a body extending from the first end toward the second end, wherein frame comprises:
- a mounting portion comprising a mechanical structure which is configured to engage a portion of a robotic vehicle such that the frame is supported on the robotic vehicle;
- an aperture located along a length of the body, wherein the aperture extends from a first surface of the frame to a second surface of the frame;
- a heating element located along a portion of an edge of the aperture, wherein the heating element is configured to be selectively electrically energized;
- and
- an electrical interface which is configured to receive one or more electrical signals from the robotic vehicle to facilitate selectively electrically energizing the heating element;
- and
- a strap comprising:
- a first portion secured to the frame via the aperture, wherein at least part of the first portion is in contact with the heating element, and
- a second portion secured to a payload such that the payload is suspended from the frame via the strap.
7 more elements
A payload deployment structure comprising:
- a frame having a first end, a second end, and a body extending from the first end toward the second end, wherein frame comprises:
- a mounting portion comprising a mechanical structure which is configured to engage a portion of a robotic vehicle such that the frame is supported on the robotic vehicle;
- an aperture located along a length of the body, wherein the aperture extends from a first surface of the frame to a second surface of the frame;
- a heating element located along a portion of an edge of the aperture, wherein the heating element is configured to be selectively electrically energized;
- and
- an electrical interface which is configured to receive one or more electrical signals from the robotic vehicle to facilitate selectively electrically energizing the heating element;
- and
- one or more other apertures located along the length of the body of the frame, wherein each other aperture has an other heating element located along a portion of an edge of the other aperture, wherein the other heating element is configured to be selectively electrically energized.
5 more elements
A payload deployment system comprising:
- a payload deployment device;
- and
- a payload deployment structure comprising a frame having a first end, a second end, and a body extending from the first end toward the second end, wherein frame comprises:
- at least a first aperture and a second aperture located along a length of the body, wherein the first and second apertures extend from a first surface of the frame to a second surface of the frame,
- a heating element located along a portion of an edge of each said first and second aperture, wherein the heating element is configured to be selectively electrically energized, and
- a mounting portion,
- wherein the payload deployment structure is connected to the payload deployment device via the mounting portion.
4 more elements
A payload deployment system comprising:
- a payload deployment device;
- and
- a payload deployment structure comprising a frame having a first end, a second end, and a body extending from the first end toward the second end, wherein frame comprises:
- an aperture located along a length of the body, wherein the aperture extends from a first surface of the frame to a second surface of the frame,
- a heating element located along a portion of an edge of the aperture, wherein the heating element is configured to be selectively electrically energized, and
- a mounting portion;
- wherein the payload deployment structure is connected to the payload deployment device via the mounting portion;
- wherein the payload deployment structure further comprises:
- a strap comprising:
- a first portion secured to the frame via the aperture, wherein at least part of the first portion is in contact with the heating element, and
- a second portion secured to a payload such that the payload is suspended from the frame via the strap;
- and
- wherein the heating element is configured to apply heat to the strap when energized, and wherein the strap is fabricated from a meltable material.
10 more elements
A payload deployment system comprising:
- a payload deployment device;
- and
- a payload deployment structure comprising a frame having a first end, a second end, and a body extending from the first end toward the second end, wherein frame comprises:
- an aperture located along a length of the body, wherein the aperture extends from a first surface of the frame to a second surface of the frame,
- a heating element located along a portion of an edge of the aperture, wherein the heating element is configured to be selectively electrically energized, and
- a mounting portion;
- one or more other apertures located along the length of the body of the frame, wherein each other aperture has an other heating element located along a portion of an edge of the other aperture, wherein the other heating element is configured to be selectively electrically energized;
- wherein the payload deployment structure is connected to the payload deployment device via the mounting portion.
5 more elements
A payload deployment system comprising:
- a payload deployment device;
- and
- a payload deployment structure comprising a frame having a first end, a second end, and a body extending from the first end toward the second end, wherein frame comprises:
- an aperture located along a length of the body, wherein the aperture extends from a first surface of the frame to a second surface of the frame,
- a heating element located along a portion of an edge of the aperture, wherein the heating element is configured to be selectively electrically energized, and
- a mounting portion,
- wherein the payload deployment structure is connected to the payload deployment device via the mounting portion;
- wherein
- the payload deployment device comprises a robotic arm, and
- the payload deployment structure is mounted to a portion of the payload deployment device that is opposite of a location of a robotic arm.
7 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.