초록 ▼

A docking system for an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) is described that provides a stable landing and take-off area as well as, in some embodiments, refueling and/or data transfer capabilities. The docking system may be portable to provide a ready docking area for a UAV in areas that may not otherwi

A docking system for an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) is described that provides a stable landing and take-off area as well as, in some embodiments, refueling and/or data transfer capabilities. The docking system may be portable to provide a ready docking area for a UAV in areas that may not otherwise be suitable for UAV operation. The docking system may include a landing surface, an orientation mechanism that adjusts the landing surface to provide a level landing area, and an alignment mechanism coupled with the landing surface that moves a UAV resting on the landing surface to a predetermined location on the landing surface for automated refueling of the UAV. A latching mechanism may secure the UAV to the landing surface when the UAV is located at the predetermined location.

대표청구항 ▼

1. An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) docking apparatus, comprising: a landing surface;an orientation mechanism coupled with the landing surface configured to adjust the orientation of the landing surface; andan alignment mechanism coupled with the landing surface, wherein the alignment mechanism comp

1. An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) docking apparatus, comprising: a landing surface;an orientation mechanism coupled with the landing surface configured to adjust the orientation of the landing surface; andan alignment mechanism coupled with the landing surface, wherein the alignment mechanism comprises two or more sliding wiper arms coupled with the landing surface and configured to slide to contact a UAV resting on the landing surface and push the UAV along the landing surface to a predetermined location on the landing surface,wherein the landing surface comprises a first side comprising the alignment mechanism, and a second side that comprises one or more photovoltaic cells, and wherein the orientation mechanism is further operable to orient the second side of the landing surface to generate electricity when the UAV is away from the apparatus. 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the orientation mechanism is configured to adjust the landing surface to provide a level surface during UAV landing and take-off. 3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the orientation mechanism comprises a level sensor and two or more actuators configured to selectively rotate and tilt the landing surface based on feedback from the level sensor. 4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the wipers are interconnected with linear actuators. 5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the orientation mechanism and alignment mechanism each comprise pneumatic linear actuators coupled with the landing surface, and wherein the apparatus further comprises: a compressed air system coupled with each of the pneumatic linear actuators. 6. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a refueling system associated with the landing surface that is configured to interconnect with the UAV. 7. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a data recovery system associated with the landing surface that is connectable in data transfer communication with the UAV. 8. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a latching mechanism coupled with the landing surface that, when the UAV is located in the predetermined position, secures the UAV to the landing surface. 9. A method for docking an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), comprising: positioning a landing surface to provide a level landing area for a UAV;receiving a signal that the UAV has landed on the landing surface; andpositioning the UAV in a predetermined area on the landing surface, wherein positioning the UAV comprises actuating one or more sliding wiper arms coupled with the landing surface to slide to contact the UAV resting on the landing surface and push the UAV along the landing surface to the predetermined area on the landing surface,wherein the landing surface comprises a first side, the first side configured to position the UAV, and a second side, the second side comprising one or more photovoltaic cells,and wherein the method further comprises orienting the second side of the landing surface to generate electricity when the UAV is away from the landing surface. 10. The method of claim 9, wherein the positioning a landing surface comprises: receiving a signal from a level sensor indicating an orientation of the landing surface relative to a horizontal plane; andactuating two or more linear actuators configured to selectively rotate and tilt the landing surface based on feedback from the level sensor. 11. The method of claim 9, further comprising: coupling a refueling probe with the UAV; and refueling the UAV. 12. The method of claim 9, further comprising: receiving data from the UAV. 13. A system for extended operations of one or more unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), comprising: a plurality of autonomous docking nodes each comprising: a landing surface;an orientation mechanism coupled with the landing surface configured to adjust the orientation of the landing surface;an alignment mechanism coupled with the landing surface, wherein the alignment mechanism comprises two or more sliding wiper arms coupled with the landing surface and configured to slide to contact a UAV resting on the landing surface and push the UAV along the landing surface to a predetermined location on the landing surface; anda refueling system associated with the landing surface that is configured to refuel UAVs located on the landing surface, wherein an operating range of the UAVs is extended through use of one or more autonomous docking nodes located remotely from personnel supporting the operation of the UAVs,wherein the landing surface comprises a first side comprising the alignment mechanism, and a second side that comprises one or more photovoltaic cells, and wherein the orientation mechanism is further operable to orient the second side of the landing surface to generate electricity when the UAV is away from the landing surface. 14. The system of claim 13, wherein each of the autonomous docking nodes comprises a wireless transceiver configured to send and receive wireless communications with one or more UAVs. 15. The system of claim 13, wherein the orientation mechanism of the autonomous docking nodes is configured to adjust the landing surface to provide a level surface during UAV landing and take-off. 16. The system of claim 15, wherein the orientation mechanism comprises a level sensor and two or more linear actuators configured to selectively rotate and tilt the landing surface based on feedback from the level sensor.