IP Library Granted Patent US 10,538,339
Granted Patent B2
US 10,538,339 · App. 15/318,882 · Granted Jan 21, 2020

Mobile self-leveling landing platform for small-scale UAVS

Inventors: Stephen A. Conyers (Denver, CO); Nikolaos Vitzilaios (Denver, CO); Matthew J. Rutherford (Denver, CO); Kimon P. Valavanis (Denver, CO)
Assignee: Colorado Seminary, which owns and operates the University of Denver
B64F1/007B60K1/02B62D7/144B64C39/024B64F1/10H02J7/35H02S99/00B64C2201/024B64C2201/18B64C2201/208
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 10,538,339
App. No.
15/318,882
Granted
Jan 21, 2020
Kind
B2
Abstract

A mobile self-leveling landing platform vehicle is disclosed that includes a landing surface and one or more wheel assemblies. Each wheel assembly includes a wheel, a control arm coupled with the wheel and the body of the landing platform vehicle, and an actuator coupled with the control arm and the body of the platform vehicle. Methods for self-leveling the landing platform vehicle are also disclosed.

Claims (12)

1. A method for leveling a mobile landing platform vehicle, the method comprising:

receiving inclinometer data from an inclinometer coupled with the mobile landing platform;

receiving actuator position data from at least one of a first linear actuator, a second linear actuator, a third linear actuator, and a fourth linear actuator;

determining an adjustment value for the first linear actuator based on the inclinometer data and the actuator position data; and

sending the adjustment value to the first linear actuator,

wherein the mobile landing platform includes:

a first actuating wheel assembly comprising the first linear actuator, a first wheel, and a first control arm coupled with the first linear actuator and the first wheel;

a third actuating wheel assembly comprising the third linear actuator, a third wheel, and a third control arm coupled with the third linear actuator and the third wheel; and

a fourth actuating wheel assembly comprising the fourth linear actuator, a fourth wheel, and a fourth control arm coupled with the fourth linear actuator and the fourth wheel.

2. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the adjustment value comprises a pulse width modulation signal.

3. The method according to claim 1 , wherein determining an adjustment value for the first linear actuator based on the inclinometer data and the actuator position data, further comprises determining the adjustment value for the first linear actuator based on the inclinometer data and the actuator position data of the first linear actuator and actuator position data of at least one of the second linear actuator, the third linear actuator, and the fourth linear actuator.

4. The method according to claim 1 , further comprising determining whether one or more of the first linear actuator, second linear actuator, third linear actuator, and fourth linear actuator is extended beyond a threshold value.

Assignments (1)
CONFIRMATORY LICENSE Recorded Jul 26, 2017
From: UNIVERSITY OF DENVER, COLORADO SEMINARY
To: NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION
Reel/Frame 043330/0807 →
Continuity (3)
Provisional Application 62014892 · Jun 20, 2014
Provisional Application 62019130 · Jun 30, 2014
Related Publication 20170137150A1 · May 18, 2017