The present invention involves systems and methods for tether length management between an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), e.g., a drone, and a surface vehicle (SV), dynamically moving ground vehicle or an unmanned SV (USV) base station. The tether length control methodology of the present invention allows for a dynamic moving base station and maintains minimal tether tension, while measuring those dynamic oscillations of the UAV and SV. This novel slack tether tension management ultimately reduces forces and power consumption. A key feature of the present invention is the capability to de-couple the UAV's motion from the base/winch/SV. This enables operation in highly dynamic environments, e.g., maritime, moving ground vehicles, etc.
Autonomous Tether Management System and Method for an Unmanned Aerial and Surface Vehicle Team
2024-12-05
Patent
Electronic Resource
English
IPC: | B64U |