Tethered unmanned aerial vehicle system
View Patent ↗In one aspect, an example system includes: (i) a base including a bottom surface and a first coupling-point; (ii) a vertically-oriented elongate structure comprising a lower end, an upper end, and an inner channel, wherein the inner channel comprises an upper access-point disposed proximate the upper end, wherein the base is coupled to the elongate structure proximate the lower end; (iii) a deployable cushioning-device coupled to the elongate structure; and (iv) a tether comprising a first portion, a second portion, a third portion, and a fourth portion, wherein the first portion is coupled to the first coupling-point, the second portion is coupled to a second coupling-point of the UAV, the third portion extends through the inner channel, the fourth portion extends from the upper access-point to the second coupling-point, and the fourth portion has a length that is less than a distance between the upper access-point and the bottom surface.
1. A system for use with an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), the system comprising:
a base;
a vertically-oriented elongate structure comprising a lower end and an upper end, wherein the elongate structure includes an upper access-point disposed proximate the upper end, wherein the base is coupled to the elongate structure proximate the lower end;
a deployable cushioning-device coupled to the elongate structure;
a tether comprising a portion that extends from the upper access-point to the UAV; and
a computing system configured for performing a set of acts comprising:
detecting abnormal operation of the UAV; and
responsive to detecting abnormal operation of the UAV, causing the deployable cushioning-device to deploy.
2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the base comprises a vehicle.
3. The system of claim 1 , wherein the vertically-oriented elongate structure comprises a mast having an adjustable height.
4. The system of claim 1 , wherein the deployable cushioning-device comprises a set of one or more deployable cushioning components, wherein the set extends around an outer surface of the elongate structure.
5. The system of claim 1 , wherein detecting abnormal operation of the UAV comprises:
measuring a tension level of the tether;
making a determination that the measured tension level is below a threshold tension level; and
based on the determination, detecting abnormal operation of the UAV.
6. The system of claim 1 , wherein detecting abnormal operation of the UAV comprises:
receiving sensor data from a sensor of the UAV;
making a determination that the received sensor data has a particular property; and
based on the determination, detecting abnormal operation of the UAV.
7. The system of claim 1 , wherein causing the deployable cushioning-device to deploy comprises:
causing the deployable cushioning-device to expand with a gaseous substance.
8. The system of claim 1 , wherein the portion of the tether has a length that is (i) greater than or equal to a first distance between the upper access-point and an upper end of the deployable cushioning-device, and (ii) less than or equal to a second distance between the upper access-point and a lower end of the deployable cushioning-device.
9. A non-transitory computer-readable medium for use with a system comprising:
a base;
a vertically-oriented elongate structure comprising a lower end and an upper end, wherein the elongate structure includes an upper access-point disposed proximate the upper end, wherein the base is coupled to the elongate structure proximate the lower end;
a deployable cushioning-device coupled to the elongate structure; and
a tether comprising a portion that extends from the upper access-point to an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV);
wherein the non-transitory computer-readable medium has stored thereon program instructions that when executed cause performance of a set of acts comprising:
detecting abnormal operation of the UAV; and
responsive to detecting abnormal operation of the UAV, causing the deployable cushioning-device to deploy.
10. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 9 , wherein the base comprises a vehicle.
11. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 9 , wherein the vertically-oriented elongate structure comprises a mast having an adjustable height.
12. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 9 , wherein the deployable cushioning-device comprises a set of one or more deployable cushioning components, wherein the set extends around an outer surface of the elongate structure.
13. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 9 , wherein detecting abnormal operation of the UAV comprises:
measuring a tension level of the tether;
making a determination that the measured tension level is below a threshold level;
and
based on the determination, detecting abnormal operation of the UAV.
14. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 9 , wherein detecting abnormal operation of the UAV comprises:
receiving sensor data from a sensor of the UAV;
making a determination that the received sensor data has a particular property;
and
based on the determination, detecting abnormal operation of the UAV.
15. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 9 , wherein causing the deployable cushioning-device to deploy comprises:
causing the deployable cushioning-device to expand with a gaseous substance.
16. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 9 , wherein the portion has a length that is (i) greater than or equal to a first distance between the upper access-point and an upper end of the deployable cushioning-device, and (ii) less than or equal to a second distance between the upper access-point and a lower end of the deployable cushioning-device.
17. A method for use with for use with a system comprising:
a base;
a vertically-oriented elongate structure comprising a lower end and an upper end, wherein the elongate structure includes an upper access-point disposed proximate the upper end, wherein the base is coupled to the elongate structure proximate the lower end;
a deployable cushioning-device coupled to the elongate structure; and
a tether comprising a portion that extends from the upper access-point to an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV);
wherein the method comprises:
detecting abnormal operation of the UAV; and
responsive to detecting abnormal operation of the UAV, causing the deployable cushioning-device to deploy.
18. The method of claim 17 , wherein the deployable cushioning-device comprises a set of one or more deployable cushioning components, wherein the set extends around an outer surface of the elongate structure.
19. The method of claim 17 , wherein the portion has a length that is (i) greater than or equal to a first distance between the upper access-point and an upper end of the deployable cushioning-device, and (ii) less than or equal to a second distance between the upper access-point and a lower end of the deployable cushioning-device.
20. A system for use with an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), the system comprising:
a base;
a vertically-oriented elongate structure comprising a lower end and an upper end, wherein the elongate structure includes an upper access-point disposed proximate the upper end, wherein the base is coupled to the elongate structure proximate the lower end;
a cushion-component coupled to the elongate structure; and
a tether comprising a portion that extends from the upper access-point to the UAV.