Working Drones, Inc.

Robert Lewis Dahlstrom

Tariq Rashid

Jeffrey C McCutcheon

A method for performing one or more tasks on a surface via an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) or aerial robotics system (ARS) includes tethering a first UAV to a ceiling, a vertical wall, or a second UAV via a tethering cord with an extendible and retractable length, performing at least one task via the first UAV to an object during flight of the first UAV, sensing at least one parameter of the surface of the object via a task sensor, and resiliently adjusting an adjustable sensor arm of the first UAV to facilitate performance of the task(s). The adjustable sensor arm may support the task sensor and be resilient to impact forces caused by direct contact of the task sensor or the adjustable sensor arm with the surface. The tethering cord may be extended or retracted via at least one motor while the first UAV performs the task(s).

Methods for using tethered unmanned aerial vehicle having at least one task sensor

A system including an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) or aerial robotic system (ARS) to perform at least one task to an object during flight of the UAV in a movement mode configured for maneuvering near a surface of the object. A task sensor configured to sense at least one parameter of the surface. An adjustable sensor arm attachable to the UAV and supporting the task sensor to facilitate the task performed to the surface of the object by the UAV during flight of the UAV. The sensor arm being resilient to impact forces caused by direct contact of the sensor or sensor arm with the surface to bend, spring or swivel relative to a contour of the surface.

Unmanned aerial vehicle having an elevated surface sensor

An aerial operations system for performing various tasks such as painting is provided. The modular aerial operations system includes an aerial vehicle capable of vertically taking off and landing, hovering and precisely maneuvering near walls and other structures. The aerial vehicle may be a rotorcraft such as a multicopter. In an aspect, as aerial vehicle paints one or more designated surfaces using detachable arms and equipment. The system may paint the designated surface in one of several available techniques using paint provided in a container such as an attached reservoir, a base station, a paint can, or the like. The aerial operations system provided may also be configured to perform a variety of other tasks.

Indoor and outdoor aerial vehicles for painting and related applications

An aspect of the embodiments includes a system comprising an unmanned self-propelled (USP) vehicle comprising a tool having a dispensed tool output and a mobile base station. The mobile base station comprises a power supply, a fluid medium source, and one or more processors operable to generate control signals to control the USP vehicle and to affect the dispensed tool output from the tool. The mobile base station includes an umbilical cabling and tethering (UCAT) apparatus to interconnect the USP vehicle and the mobile base station, the UCAT apparatus providing the USP vehicle with one or more of power from the power supply, a fluid medium from the fluid medium source and the control signals. The embodiments include a mobile base station and method for conducting a task.

System, mobile base station and umbilical cabling and tethering (UCAT) apparatus

An aspect of the embodiments includes a system comprising a mobile base station having a power supply, a fluid medium source; and processors operable to generate control signals to control a first unmanned self-propelled (FUSP) vehicle, having a tool with a dispended tool output, and to affect the dispensed tool output; and an umbilical cabling and tethering (UCAT) apparatus to interconnect the USP vehicle and the mobile base station. Cords connect to the FUSP vehicle, one or more of the power supply, the control signals and fluid medium source. The system includes a UCAT assist device comprising a second unmanned self-propelled (SUSP) vehicle having a fastener member, removably coupled to a fastener member of the UCAT apparatus. The UCAT assist device when attached to the UCAT apparatus assists a portion of the cords of the UCAT apparatus. Embodiments include a UCAT assist system.

System, mobile base station and umbilical cabling and tethering (UCAT) assist system

A system is disclosed including an aerial vehicle to perform a task to an object, while in an aerial mode that includes at least one of a hover mode or a slow movement mode during a predominant phase of the task being performed, the aerial vehicle has a command and control system, a removable mobile computing device that when attached to the aerial vehicle assists in control of the aerial vehicle and when detached assists in control of the aerial vehicle with user intervention through the mobile device, wherein assist in control is further performed through the command and control system and at least one attachment attachable to the aerial vehicle for facilitating the task performed to the object by the aerial vehicle while the aerial vehicle is in the aerial mode, the at least one attachment is controlled by the removable mobile computing device. Methods are also disclosed.

Growing community of inventors

Jacksonville, FL, United States of America

Robert Lewis Dahlstrom