The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.

The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.

Date of Patent:
Feb. 21, 2023

Filed:

Nov. 05, 2019
Applicant:

Aurora Flight Sciences Corporation, a Subsidiary of the Boeing Company, Manassas, VA (US);

Inventor:

William Robert Bosworth, Somerville, MA (US);

Attorney:
Primary Examiner:
Int. Cl.
CPC ...
B25J 9/16 (2006.01); B64C 39/02 (2006.01); B25J 13/08 (2006.01); B25J 15/00 (2006.01); B25J 15/06 (2006.01); B25J 15/10 (2006.01);
U.S. Cl.
CPC ...
B25J 9/162 (2013.01); B25J 13/085 (2013.01); B25J 15/008 (2013.01); B25J 15/0608 (2013.01); B25J 15/0616 (2013.01); B25J 15/10 (2013.01); B64C 39/024 (2013.01);
Abstract

A method for controlling an aerial vehicle including a compliant arm mechanism is disclosed. A propulsion system of the aerial vehicle is controlled to fly the aerial vehicle to an area proximate to a surface. One or more of the propulsion system and the compliant arm mechanism are controlled such that the compliant arm mechanism contacts the surface. The compliant arm mechanism is configured to extend laterally beyond a perimeter of the propulsion system. One or more sensor signals indicating contact of the compliant arm mechanism against the surface are received via a sensor. A force at which the aerial vehicle presses against the surface is determined based on the one or more sensor signals.


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