Abstract

The present disclosure provides a deployment mechanism for arms of a drone. This mechanism is particularly of relevance to a drone that is housed in a container and is configured to be launched therefrom, and therefore is required to have an efficient deployment mechanism for its arms to be deployed immediately after the launch. The deployment mechanism is biased to its deployed state and is retained in its non-deployed state by external forces, such as the normal forces that are applied by the walls of the container on the arms while the drone is housed within the container. After the launch from the container, the above-mentioned forces are no longer applied to the arms of the drone and the deployment mechanism, causing a transition of the arms from their non-deployed state to their deployed state, in which they are in a position suitable for flying, i.e. activation of the rotors mounted on the arms.

IPC Classes  ?

• B64C 39/02 - Aircraft not otherwise provided for characterised by special use
• B64C 27/33 - Rotors having flexing arms
• B64U 10/14 - Flying platforms with four distinct rotor axes, e.g. quadcopters
• B64U 30/293 - Foldable or collapsible rotors or rotor supports
• B64U 80/70 - Transport or storage specially adapted for UAVs in containers

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a launching mechanism for a drone that is housed within a container. The launching mechanism is also housed within the container and is disposed at the bottom portion of the container such that the effect of its activation causes the drone to move along a container axis defined by the longitudinal axis of the container, at a direction towards a top cover of the container and eject therethrough during the launching process. The launching mechanism includes two elements, each has a receptacle portion, wherein the receptacle portion of one of the elements is received within the receptacle portion of the second element. The two receptacle portions, when one is received within the other, confine an inner space. One of the elements is a static element that is fixed to the container, and the other element is a dynamic element that upon application of force along the container axis in the direction of the top cover is free to move in the force direction and to push the drone that is disposed between it and the top cover of the container. A pressure generator of the launching mechanism is configured for controllably causing an abrupt increase of pressure in the inner space, thus generating a propelling force along the container axis in the direction of the top cover that pushes the drone and causing its launching out of the container. The dynamic element is detachably attached to the static element such that when the propelling force exceeds a certain value, the two elements detach one from the other and the dynamic element continues to move along the container axis.

IPC Classes  ?

• B64F 1/04 - Ground or aircraft-carrier-deck installations for launching aircraft
• B64C 39/02 - Aircraft not otherwise provided for characterised by special use
• B64U 70/00 - Launching, take-off or landing arrangements
• B64U 80/70 - Transport or storage specially adapted for UAVs in containers

Abstract

Provided is a system for releasing an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV), including: a capsule including: a UAV including a controller; and a release actuator configured to release the UAV from the capsule; wherein the capsule is configured to be at least one of launched and deployed; the system further includes: at least one sensor; a release condition evaluation module, connected with the at least one sensor; and a release command module, connected with the release condition evaluation module, and configured to activate the release actuator upon at least one release condition being met; wherein the process of deploying the capsule and/or launching the capsule is a separate process from the process of releasing the UAV from the capsule.

IPC Classes  ?

• B64F 1/10 - Ground or aircraft-carrier-deck installations for launching aircraft using self-propelled vehicles

Goods & Services

Unmanned aerial vehicles [UAVs]; civilian drones; camera drones, military drones; drones, other than toys; encapsulated UAS [unmanned aerial system].

Abstract

An Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV), comprising at least one power supply; at least one motor; at least one sensor configured to sense a throw action; and a controller connected with the at least one power supply, the at least one motor and the at least one sensor; wherein the UAV is configured to be thrown, detect a unique throw signature according to at least one measurement received from the at least one sensor and activate the at least one motor upon a the unique throw signature being detected

IPC Classes  ?

• B64C 39/00 - Aircraft not otherwise provided for
• B64F 1/06 - Ground or aircraft-carrier-deck installations for launching aircraft using catapults

Abstract

A system for releasing an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV), comprising: a capsule comprising: a UAV comprising a controller; and a release actuator configured to release the UAV from the capsule; wherein the capsule is configured to be at least one of launched and deployed; the system further comprises: at least one sensor; a release condition evaluation module, connected with the at least one sensor; and a release command module, connected with the release condition evaluation module, and configured to activate the release actuator upon at least one release condition being met; wherein the process of deploying the capsule and/or launching the capsule is a separate process from the process of releasing the UAV from the capsule.

IPC Classes  ?

• B64C 13/16 - Initiating means actuated automatically, e.g. responsive to gust detectors
• B64F 1/04 - Ground or aircraft-carrier-deck installations for launching aircraft
• F41F 3/07 - Underwater launching-apparatus

Abstract

A designated Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) capsule, comprising: a capsule body, comprising a UAV; and at least one maintenance connector; and a support controller comprised in one of the capsule body and the UAV; wherein the support controller is connected with the UAV and the at least one maintenance connector and configured to enable at least one of support actions and maintenance actions in the UAV while the UAV remains encapsulated in the capsule body.

IPC Classes  ?

• B64C 39/00 - Aircraft not otherwise provided for

Abstract

A system for launching an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV), comprising: a capsule comprising at least two parts; a UAV configured to be encapsulated inside the capsule in a folded configuration; and an aerial carrier comprising a release mechanism, the carrier configured to carry the capsule; the carrier further configured to be launched and eject the capsule upon arrival at a desired aerial location, using the release mechanism; wherein prior to the ejection, the carrier is further configured to execute vertical maneuvers in order to reduce the carrier's speed and change the carrier's angle thereby creating suitable conditions for the capsule's ejection; the capsule configured to split and release the UAV upon being ejected; and the ejected UAV further configured to unfold upon release from the capsule.

IPC Classes  ?

• B64C 39/00 - Aircraft not otherwise provided for
• B64C 35/02 - Flying-boat hulls
• B64D 1/12 - Releasing