IP Library Granted Patent US 9,844,990
Granted Patent B2
US 9,844,990 · App. 15/422,252 · Granted Dec 19, 2017

Multiple environment unmanned vehicle

Inventors: Clinton G. Hobart (Albuquerque, NM); William D. Morse (Albuquerque, NM); Robert James Bickerstaff (Albuquerque, NM)
Assignee: National Technology & Engineering Solutions of Sandia, LLC
B60F5/02B60F3/003B60F3/0007B60F5/006B63G8/001B63G8/08B64C37/00B64C39/024B64D47/08B63G2008/004B64C2201/00B64C2201/021B64C2201/028B64C2201/082B64C2201/121B64C2201/126B64C2201/127B64C2201/146B64C2211/00
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,844,990
App. No.
15/422,252
Granted
Dec 19, 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 (25)

1. A multiple environment unmanned vehicle, comprising:

a central platform comprising a control unit, drive system, power supply and a payload; and

two or more mobility attachments attached to the central platform;

wherein at least one of the two or more mobility attachments is an aerial configuration kit and wherein at least one other of the two or more mobility attachments is selected from a group consisting of an aquatic configuration kit and a land configuration kit; and

wherein the aerial configuration kit covers at least one other of the two or more mobility attachments and is separable from the at least one other mobility attachments by a separation system; and

wherein the aerial configuration kit configures the multiple environment unmanned vehicle into a delta wing configuration.

2. The vehicle of claim 1 , wherein the separation system is selected from a group consisting of a mechanical release system, a gas release system, an explosive system, an airbag system and a dissolved materials system.

3. The vehicle of claim 1 , wherein the aquatic configuration kit comprises one or more propulsion planes.

4. The vehicle of claim 1 , wherein the land configuration kit comprises one or more wheels.

5. The vehicle of claim 1 , wherein the payload is selected from a group consisting of a camera, sensor, explosive, additional processor and beacon.

6. The vehicle of claim 1 , wherein the drive system comprises one or more motors coupled to an output shaft.

7. The vehicle of claim 6 , wherein the one or more motors provides power to the two or more mobility attachments.

8. A multiple environment unmanned vehicle system, comprising:

a multiple environment unmanned vehicle, comprising:

a central platform comprising a control unit, drive system, power supply and a payload; and

two or more mobility attachments attached to the central platform;

wherein at least one of the two or more mobility attachments is an aerial configuration kit that configures the multiple environment unmanned vehicle into a delta wing configuration and at least one other of the two or more mobility attachments is selected from a group consisting of an aquatic configuration kit and a land configuration kit; and

wherein at least one of the two or more mobility attachments cover at least one other of the two or more mobility attachments and is separable from the one other of the two or more mobility attachments by a separation system; and

a command center comprising a user interface in communication with the multiple environment unmanned vehicle.

9. The system of claim 8 , wherein the separation system is selected from a group consisting of a mechanical release system, a gas release system, an explosive system, an airbag system and a dissolved materials system.

10. The system of claim 8 , wherein the aquatic configuration kit comprises one or more propulsion planes.

11. The system of claim 8 , wherein the land configuration kit comprises one or more wheels.

12. The system of claim 8 , wherein the payload is selected from a group consisting of a camera, sensor, explosive, additional processor and beacon.

13. The system of claim 8 , wherein the drive system comprises one or more motors coupled to an output shaft.

14. The system of claim 13 , wherein the one or more motors provides power to the two or more mobility attachments.

Assignments (2)
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Nov 14, 2017
From: SANDIA CORPORATION
To: NATIONAL TECHNOLOGY & ENGINEERING SOLUTIONS OF SANDIA, LLC
Reel/Frame 044444/0054 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 14, 2017
From: HOBART, CLINTON G.; MORSE, WILLIAM D.; BICKERSTAFF, ROBERT JAMES
To: SANDIA CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 044123/0129 →
Continuity (3)
Continuation 14484138 · Sep 11, 2014
Provisional Application 61877829 · Sep 13, 2013
Related Publication 20170136840A1 · May 18, 2017