IP Library Granted Patent US 9,580,172
Granted Patent B2
US 9,580,172 · App. 14/484,138 · Granted Feb 28, 2017

Multiple environment unmanned vehicle

Inventors: Clinton G. Hobart (Albuquerque, NM); William D. Morse (Albuquerque, NM); Robert James Bickerstaff (Albuquerque, NM)
B64C39/024B60F3/003B60F5/02B64C2201/00B64C2201/021B64C2201/126B64C2201/146B64C2211/00
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,580,172
App. No.
14/484,138
Granted
Feb 28, 2017
Kind
B2
Abstract

A MEUV that is able to navigate aerial, aquatic, and terrestrial environments through the use of different mission mobility attachments is disclosed. The attachments allow the MEUV to be deployed from the air or through the water prior to any terrestrial navigation. The mobility attachments can be removed or detached by and from the vehicle during a mission.

Claims (10)

1. A method of operating a multiple environment unmanned vehicle, comprising:

launching the multiple environment unmanned vehicle in a configuration selected from a group consisting of an aerial configuration and an aquatic configuration; and

reconfiguring the multiple environment unmanned vehicle during a mission, wherein the reconfiguring is selected from a group consisting of aerial to aquatic, aerial to land and aquatic to land;

wherein the aerial configuration is a delta wing configuration;

and wherein the reconfiguring is performed by the multiple environment unmanned vehicle detaching a mobility attachment; and

wherein the mobility detachment is detached by chemically releasing the mobility attachment.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the reconfiguring is performed by dissolving the mobility attachment.

3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the mobility attachment is detached by dissolving an adhesive.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the mobility attachment is detached upon an internal mission command.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the mobility attachment is detached by an operator during the mission.

Assignments (3)
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Nov 14, 2017
From: SANDIA CORPORATION
To: NATIONAL TECHNOLOGY & ENGINEERING SOLUTIONS OF SANDIA, LLC
Reel/Frame 044444/0054 →
CONFIRMATORY LICENSE Recorded Mar 26, 2015
From: SANDIA CORPORATION
To: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Reel/Frame 035295/0550 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 13, 2015
From: HOBART, CLINTON G.; MORSE, WILLIAM D.; BICKERSTAFF, ROBERT JAMES
To: SANDIA CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 034960/0710 →
Continuity (2)
Provisional Application 61877829 · Sep 13, 2013
Related Publication 20150266576A1 · Sep 24, 2015