Device and method for use with unmanned aerial vehicles

摘要

An autonomous battery replacement station for an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) is provided. The UAV includes a replaceable battery. The station includes (a) a landing platform configured to receive the UAV, (b) a storage location configured to store a replacement battery for the UAV, and (c) a means for swapping the replaceable battery on the UAV with a replacement battery from the storage location.

主权项

1. An autonomous battery replacement station for an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), the UAV having a replaceable battery, said station comprising:
(a) a landing platform configured to receive the UAV, said landing platform comprising a first edge and an opposite second edge; (b) a conveyor belt positioned adjacent said first edge of said landing platform, said conveyor belt extending from a first end to a second end, said conveyor belt configured to receive the UAV from said landing platform; (c) a storage location configured to store a replacement battery for the UAV, said storage location proximate said first end of said conveyor belt; (d) a moveable member operable to sweep across said landing platform from proximate said second edge to proximate said first edge such that the UAV is delivered from said landing platform to said conveyor belt; and (e) a means for selectively retaining the UAV proximate said second end of said conveyor belt during operation of said conveyor belt.