Ground movement system plugin for vertical take off and landing unmanned aerial vehicles

Abstract

A ground movement plug-in (GMP) apparatus for providing ground propulsion to an unmanned aircraft vehicle (UAV). In an embodiment, the GMP apparatus includes a frame configured to mechanically couplewith the UAV, a plurality of wheels, at least one of which is actuatable by a motor, and a controller operably coupled to the motor to control propulsion of the GMP apparatus.

Description

[0001] Cross References to Related Applications [0002] This application claims priority to earlier filed U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 143,605, filed April 6, 2015, entitled "Motorized Ground Propulsion System Plugin for Vertical Take Off and Landing Unmanned Aerial Vehicles," which The entire content of is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. [0003] All patents, patent applications, and publications cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety to more fully describe the prior art known to those of ordinary skill in the art as of the date of the invention described herein. technical field [0004] One or more embodiments of the present disclosure relate generally to autonomous landing operations for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) or "drones." More specifically, one or more embodiments relate to ground propulsion systems for UAVs. Background technique [0005] Small helicopters and multicopters, including hybrid aircraft...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

However, most aerial vehicles available on the market have a limited range (e.g., 15 to 25 minutes flight time depending on the type of their mission), which limits the possibility of wider deployment of the technology

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