Self-leveling support apparatus
View Patent ↗Provided is a self-leveling support apparatus for use with a UAV or stationary device such as a table or ladder, the apparatus having multiple leg members, each associated with a hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder; a connection among the hydraulic or pheumatic cylinders such that they share a common reservoir of fluid; a locking mechanism that obstructs free flow of fluid among the cylinders and stabilizes the UAV or stationary device without the need for electronic sensors or control systems.
1. A self-leveling support device for use with an associated unit, the self-leveling support device comprising:
first and second fluid cylinders each having:
1) a housing having an upper end selectively attachable to the associated unit;
2) a piston positioned within the housing; and
3) a piston rod attached to the piston and selectively extendable out from a lower end of the housing;
a reservoir of fluid;
a first fluid line that interconnects the first and second fluid cylinders to the reservoir of fluid;
a first locking valve having a piston rod selectively extendable into the first fluid line;
wherein:
1) compression of the first fluid cylinder resulting from contact between the piston rod of the first fluid cylinder and a surface causes elongation of the second fluid cylinder;
2) compression of the second fluid cylinder resulting from contact between the piston rod of the second fluid cylinder and a surface causes elongation of the first fluid cylinder; and
3) activation of the first locking valve:
(a) prevents flow of the fluid between the first and second fluid cylinders; and
(b) occurs automatically and passively without sensors, motors or controls.
2. The self-leveling support device of claim 1 further comprising:
a second fluid line that interconnects the first and second fluid cylinders to the reservoir of fluid; and
a second locking valve having a piston rod selectively extendable into the second fluid line;
wherein:
1) the first and second fluid lines provide distinct and parallel fluid flow between the first and second fluid cylinders;
2) activation of the first locking valve prevents flow of the fluid between the first and second fluid cylinders in the first fluid line; and
3) activation of the second locking valve;
(a) prevents flow of the fluid between the first and second fluid cylinders in the second fluid line; and
(b) occurs automatically and passively without sensors, motors or controls.
3. The self-leveling support device of claim 1 further comprising:
a second locking valve having a piston rod selectively extendable into the first fluid line;
wherein:
1) activation of the first locking valve prevents flow of the fluid between the first and second fluid cylinders in the first fluid line; and
2) activation of the second locking valve;
(a) prevents flow of the fluid between the first and second fluid cylinders in the first fluid line; and
(b) occurs automatically and passively without sensors, motors or controls.
4. The self-leveling support device of claim 1 wherein the reservoir of fluid comprises pneumatic fluid.
5. The self-leveling support device of claim 1 wherein the reservoir of fluid comprises hydraulic fluid.
6. A self-leveling support device for use with an associated unit, the self-leveling support device comprising:
first and second fluid cylinders each having:
1) a housing having an upper end selectively attachable to the associated unit;
2) a piston positioned within the housing; and
3) a piston rod attached to the piston and selectively extendable out from a lower end of the housing;
a reservoir of fluid that communicates exclusively with the upper ends of the housings;
a first fluid line that interconnects the first and second fluid cylinders to the reservoir of fluid;
a second fluid line that interconnects the first and second fluid cylinders to the reservoir of fluid;
a first locking valve having a piston rod selectively extendable into the first fluid line; and
a second locking valve having a piston rod selectively extendable into the second fluid line;
wherein:
1) the first and second fluid lines provide distinct and parallel fluid flow between the first and second fluid cylinders;
2) compression of the first fluid cylinder resulting from contact between the piston rod of the first fluid cylinder and a surface causes elongation of the second fluid cylinder;
3) compression of the second fluid cylinder resulting from contact between the piston rod of the second fluid cylinder and a surface causes elongation of the first fluid cylinder; and
4) activation of the first locking valve prevents flow of the fluid between the first and second fluid cylinders in the first fluid line; and
5) activation of the second locking valve prevents flow of the fluid between the first and second fluid cylinders in the second fluid line.
7. The self-leveling support device of claim 6 wherein the first and second locking valves are activated by an electronic control system.
8. The self-leveling support device of claim 6 wherein the first and second locking valves are activated automatically and passively without sensors, motors or controls.
9. The self-leveling support device of claim 6 wherein the reservoir of fluid comprises pneumatic fluid.
10. The self-leveling support device of claim 6 wherein the reservoir of fluid comprises hydraulic fluid.