Drone aircraft landing and docking systems

{
  "publication_number": "US10287034B2",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "B2",
  "title": "Drone aircraft landing and docking systems",
  "abstract": "A docking station for an aircraft includes a base portion and an alignment system disposed on the base portion configured to orient the aircraft relative to the base portion. The alignment system can include a plurality of protrusions extending away from the base portion in a vertical direction. The plurality of protrusions can extend away from the base portion in both the vertical direction and a horizontal direction such that the protrusions can extend from the base portion at an angle.",
  "claims": [
    "1. A docking station for an aircraft, comprising: a base portion; an alignment system disposed on the base portion configured to orient the aircraft relative to the base portion; and a latching system operatively associated with the alignment system for selectively latching the aircraft to the docking station, wherein the alignment system includes a plurality of protrusions, wherein the protrusions include at least one latch orifice for receiving a latching member of the latching system, wherein the latching system includes the latching member extending through the latching orifice and configured to move relative to the protrusion.",
    "2. The docking station of claim 1, further including a charging system operatively associated with the base portion and configured to electrically couple to the aircraft to charge a battery of the aircraft.",
    "3. The docking station of claim 1, further including a data transfer system operatively associated with the base portion and configured to communicate with the aircraft.",
    "4. The docking station of claim 1, wherein the plurality of protrusions extending away from the base portion in a vertical direction.",
    "5. The docking station of claim 4, wherein the plurality of protrusions extend away from the base portion in both the vertical direction and a horizontal direction such that the protrusions extend from the base portion at an angle.",
    "6. The docking station of claim 5, wherein the protrusions include a wedge shape.",
    "7. The docking station of claim 6, wherein the plurality of protrusions includes four wedge shape protrusions.",
    "8. The docking station of claim 7, wherein the four wedge shape protrusions are oriented to extend outwardly from a center of the base portion 90 degrees relative to each other.",
    "9. The docking station of claim 8, wherein the wedge shape protrusions each include a triangular plate shape.",
    "10. A quad-copter docking station, comprising: a base portion; and an alignment system disposed on the base portion configured to orient the aircraft relative to the base portion, wherein the alignment system includes a plurality of protrusions extending away from the base portion in both the vertical direction and a horizontal direction such that the protrusions extend from the base portion at an angle; and a latching system operatively associated with the alignment system for selectively latching the aircraft to the docking station, wherein the protrusions include at least one latch orifice for receiving a latching member of the latching system, wherein the latching system includes the latching member extending through the latching orifice and configured to move relative to the protrusion.",
    "11. The docking station of claim 10, wherein the protrusions include a wedge shape.",
    "12. The docking station of claim 11, wherein the plurality of protrusions includes four wedge shape protrusions.",
    "13. The docking station of claim 12, wherein the four wedge shape protrusions are oriented to extend outwardly from a center of the base portion 90 degrees relative to each other.",
    "14. The docking station of claim 13, wherein the wedge shape protrusions include a triangular plate shape.",
    "15. A method for charging and/or securing an autonomous aircraft to a docking station, comprising: determining if the aircraft has landed in the docking station, wherein the docking station includes: a base portion; and an alignment system disposed on the base portion configured to orient the aircraft relative to the base portion, wherein the alignment system includes a plurality of protrusions extending away from the base portion in both the vertical direction and a horizontal direction such that the protrusions extend from the base portion at an angle; and a latching system operatively associated with the alignment system for selectively latching the aircraft to the docking station, wherein the protrusions include at least one latch orifice for receiving a latching member of the latching system, wherein the latching system includes the latching member extending through the latching orifice and configured to move relative to the protrusion; and latching the aircraft to the docking station if the aircraft is determined to have landed in the docking station using the latching system."
  ],
  "description_excerpt": "1. Field\n\nThe present disclosure relates to unmanned and drone aircraft, more specifically to landing and docking systems for unmanned aircraft (e.g., quad copters).\n\n2. Description of Related Art\n\nQuad-copters and similar aircraft can be configured to charge and/or transfer data through a suitable docking station. Such aircraft can be manually flown to and/or placed onto such a docking station for charging/data transfer. Certain types of these aircraft can be configured as autonomous drones that include software such that the drone can perform one or more functions on its own (e.g., flying a particular route, taking off, landing). These systems can employ GPS navigational mechanisms, vision sensors, distance sensors, or the like.\n\nHowever, such software, sensors, and related systems inherently include positional errors that lead to misalignment of the drone relative to the docking station. Such misalignment can prevent the drone from making a physical or electromagnetic connection with the docking station, thereby preventing data transfer, object retrieval (e.g., for package delivery), and/or charging of the drone's battery without manual intervention.\n\nSuch conventional methods and systems have generally been considered satisfactory for their intended purpose. However, there is still a need in the art for improved landing and docking systems. The present disclosure provides a solution for this need.\n\nA docking station for an aircraft includes a base portion and an alignment system disposed on the base portion configured to orient the aircraft relative to the base portion.",
  "cpc": [
    "B64U 70/30",
    "B64C 2201/042",
    "B64C 2201/108",
    "B64C 2201/18",
    "B64C 2201/182",
    "B64C 39/024",
    "B64F 1/007",
    "B64F 1/36",
    "B64U 10/14",
    "B64U 70/99",
    "B64U 80/30"
  ],
  "ipc": [
    "B64F 1/36",
    "B64U 70/99"
  ],
  "assignees": [
    "American Robotics Inc"
  ],
  "inventors": [
    "Reese A. Mozer"
  ],
  "filing_date": "2016-03-02",
  "publication_date": "2019-05-14",
  "grant_date": "2019-05-14",
  "priority_date": "2015-03-02",
  "application_number": "US-201615058220-A",
  "family_id": "56850542",
  "cited_by_count": 17,
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}