Autonomous system for unmanned aerial vehicle landing, charging and takeoff

摘要

An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) can automatically guide itself to the vicinity of a charging station of an automated landing, charging and takeoff system, which then assists with the close-range laser guidance of the UAV in order for it to dock, without the need for landing gear. The dock has locating valleys that help the booms of the UAV to self-align under the force of gravity. Electrical connections are automatically made for data download and charging. A cover may be closed over the UAV during charging.

主权项

1. A base station for an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) comprising:
a receiving structure configured to receive the UAV; a plurality of sensors configured to detect the UAV; a transmitter configured to transmit a signal to the UAV in response to said sensors detecting the UAV, said signal enabling the UAV to align with the base station and land on the receiving structure; and a battery charger that charges a battery of the UAV when the UAV is in the receiving structure.