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.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Aug. 27, 2024
Filed:
Apr. 30, 2021
Sierra Nevada Corporation, Sparks, NV (US);
Emily Agostino, Walnut Creek, CA (US);
Curtis Leo, Los Gatos, CA (US);
Stephen Morris, Suunyvale, CA (US);
Sierra Nevada Company, LLC, Sparks, NV (US);
Abstract
A dual use UAV or 'drone' can include a battery and primary processor located at a fuselage, as well as two separate modular units removably coupled to the fuselage and in communication with the primary processor. The two separate modular units can interact with each other to provide an enhanced operation while the drone is in flight. One modular unit can be an ISR unit having a video camera, and the other modular unit can be a cargo unit. The enhanced operation can involve the ISR unit using its video camera to identify a delivery location for a cargo pod of the cargo unit. Alternative modular units can include a secondary ISR unit, a cargo fuel pod unit, or a robotic arm assembly. Standardized interfaces coupled to the fuselage can enable the ready removal of one modular unit and installation of another one.