Autonomous Drone Docking System Design and Implementation

Systems and methods for in-flight recharging, data sharing, and metering of aircraft that fly near overhead power transmission lines. An unconnected power and data line is extended from an aircraft and can induce electrical currents from the changing magnetic fields around power lines. These currents are rectified and used to charge the aircraft's batteries and power systems, eliminating the need for landing and ground charging. The line can also transmit data between aircraft via the induced currents. The line can be extended between airborne aircraft by lowering it down and connecting gripper balls.

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Mobile ground stations for autonomous aerial vehicles that can provide landing pads, charging, and protection to extend their operational range. The ground station has an extendable landing pad that can be raised from a protective case. The aerial vehicle identifies and lands on the pad. The station retracts the pad and encloses the vehicle for charging.

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An automated docking, recharging and data transfer system for drones that enables autonomous charging, payload replenishment and data exchange when docked. The system uses a secure docking platform that a drone can autonomously land on. The platform mechanically locks the drone in place, recharges the battery, refills the payload, and transfers data. This allows drones to operate autonomously for extended periods without human intervention.

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Wirelessly charging aerial vehicles while parked, that includes a receiver pad connected to the vehicle, and landing gear that can be adjusted to optimize alignment with a charging pad on the ground.

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Aligning wireless power transceivers for efficient charging of electric urban air mobility (UAM) vehicles. The method involves autonomous UAM movement, horizontal and longitudinal alignment to charging pads, then fine alignment based on charging efficiency. Cameras analyze charging pad lanes for alignment. Charging starts after alignment.

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Power supply system for urban air mobility (UAM) vehicles to enable long-distance electric flight without relying on heavy onboard batteries. The system uses a charging station on the ground with a power cable and an anchored UAM power supply mobility device. During takeoff, the mobility device connects to the UAM vehicle and provides power via the cable. Once airborne, the mobility device flies alongside the UAM vehicle, supplying power through the cable. An auxiliary mobility device controls the cable path to prevent deviations. This allows the UAM vehicle to take off and operate with minimal onboard batteries while receiving power from the ground.

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An electrical charging and communication system for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) that enables efficient charging and data transfer while minimizing physical contact. The system uses magnets to improve electrical continuity between the UAV and the landing platform. The UAV has conductive pins that align with conductive contact surfaces on the platform. When the pins make contact with the surfaces, magnets beneath them attract and pull the pins for a stronger electrical connection. This aids in charging the UAV battery and data transfer with the on-board controller.

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System to maintain UAV flight continuity using a ground station that can charge and swap UAV batteries. The ground station has a rotating base plate with rails, sliders, and a scissor lift to move the UAVs. The ground station can raise/reorient one UAV for launch while another UAV charges. When a UAV's battery is low, the ground station deploys the charged UAV. This allows continuous UAV flights without landing.

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Charging, storing, programming and launching multiple unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in an efficient and automated way. It involves using specialized charging containers that mechanically hold and electrically connect the UAVs for simultaneous charging. The containers also identify the stored UAVs and communicate their identities to a central control system. The central system can then transmit role instructions to the containers, which distribute them to the UAVs. Countdown timers initiate automated takeoffs to perform their assigned roles. The storage containers provide a secure and organized system for managing large numbers of UAVs.

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Automated docking and charging system for drones. The system includes a protected docking station with a ramp for drones equipped with ground propulsion systems to autonomously dock and recharge. The station has sensors and guiding devices to assist docking, shielding to protect drones from weather during charging, and wireless charging pads.

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Modular drone docking stations for autonomous landing, takeoff, recharging and storage of drones. The scalable multi-cell stations allow multiple drones to land and recharge simultaneously. The stations have a central landing/takeoff cell surrounded by docking cells. The drones autonomously navigate to the central cell using camera and beacon technology. A lid opens for launch. Flight missions are coordinated by software.

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A docking system for vertical take-off and landing drones that allows stable take-off and landing without requiring a separate latching or alignment device. The system uses a landing portion on the drone with a horned or pyramidal shape that aligns with and mounts onto a docking portion with a matching shape. The horned/pyramidal landing portion interlocks with the docking portion to securely hold the drone in place during take-off and landing.

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Cooperative docking system for unmanned vehicles like drones to autonomously dock with movable docking stations. The docking system uses sensors and markers on the drone and docking station to capture each other's position and attitude. This allows the drone and station to adjust their positions to align for docking.

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Landing and docking system for unmanned aircraft like drones. It uses an alignment system on the base of the docking station to help guide and secure the drone into the correct position for docking. The alignment system has protrusions that extend out at angles to physically align the drone when it lands. This prevents misalignment issues that can prevent docking and charging. The protrusions guide the drone into the correct position for making a connection with the docking station.

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A power supply system for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) that provides an extended range and endurance compared to batteries alone. The system uses an internal combustion engine (ICE) and generator, along with a rectifier, to supply stable DC power to the UAV motors. A battery is used to buffer power and provide peak demands. The rectifier converts the generator's AC output to DC. The system can operate in engine-only, generator-only, battery-only, or hybrid modes. It uses controllers to coordinate power sources and smooth voltage for the motors. The engine can run on liquid fuel for extended flight times.

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Charging connection device for a drone that allows the drone battery to be charged while the drone is ready for takeoff and landing. The device has a core inside the drone, a current carrying member on the outside, and tension units between them to absorb shock. When the drone lands on a charging station, the current carrying member contacts a plate to close the circuit and charge the battery.

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A docking system for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) that allows the UAVs to automatically dock and undock from a stationary docking station without complex navigation or positioning systems. The docking station is mounted on a ceiling or shelf while the UAV is secured to the bottom section from below, closer to the ground. The UAV is released from the magnetic docking connection by activating a module inside the UAV to reduce or cancel the magnetic connection.

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Wireless charger for drones and robots that allows them to autonomously locate and navigate to nearby wireless chargers to recharge without human intervention. The system involves authenticated charging stations providing location and availability data over cellular or satellite networks. The drones or robots receive this charging station data, authenticate it to ensure it's from a trusted source, then select and navigate to the best charger based on location and availability information.

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A robotic system that increases efficiency of wireless charging electric vehicles by using metamaterial panels. The panels can change shape to optimize the coupling between the charging station transmitter coil and the vehicle receiver coil. A robot moves the panels to fill the gap between the coils and adjusts its shape as needed. This allows the coils to remain a fixed distance apart while maintaining close alignment for efficient charging. The metamaterial panels can be made of smart materials that change shape on command to adapt to different vehicle and charging station geometries.

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Temperature control equipment for a docking station that allows unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to park and charge. The equipment has temperature control devices and a heater to warm the station when the cover is closed. This prevents issues like frozen covers, cold battery charging, and component damage from low temperatures. The temperature control devices move with the cover to seal the station when closed.

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