HANGAR FOR AT LEAST ONE UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLE

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a hangar for at least one unmanned aerial vehicle, comprising: an interior, which is delimited by a lower side, an upper side and at least one side part, at least one manipulator arm in the interior, wherein the manipulator arm is designed to transport the at least one unmanned aerial vehicle through a closable opening in the at least one side part from the interior to the outer upper side of the hangar and/or wherein the manipulator arm is configured to transport the at least one unmanned aerial vehicle through a closable opening in the at least one side portion from the outer top of the hangar into the interior, wherein the manipulator arm is programmable and/or adapted to transport different unmanned aerial vehicles having different characteristics. Furthermore, the present disclosure relates to a system comprising at least two hangars.

Claims

1. A hangar for at least one unmanned aerial vehicle, comprising: an interior, which is delimited by a bottom side, a top side and at least one side part, at least one manipulator arm in the interior, wherein the manipulator arm is designed to transport the at least one unmanned aerial vehicle through a closable opening in the at least one side part from the interior to the outer upper side of the hangar and/or wherein the manipulator arm is configured to transport the at least one unmanned aerial vehicle through a closable opening in the at least one side portion from the outer top of the hangar into the interior, wherein the manipulator arm is programmable and/or adapted to transport different unmanned aerial vehicles having different characteristics.

2. A hangar according to claim 1, wherein the characteristics of the unmanned aerial vehicle comprise, for example, manufacturer, type and/or design.

3. A hangar according to claim 1, wherein the manipulator arm comprises at least three joints.

4. A hangar according to claim 1, wherein at least one level is arranged in the interior, which is set up to carry at least one unmanned aerial vehicle in each case.

5. A hangar according to claim 1, wherein the outer upper surface comprises a take-off and/or landing surface for the at least one unmanned aerial vehicle.

6. A hangar according to claim 1, wherein the hangar comprises a temperature regulation module which is set up to regulate the temperature in the interior to a preprogrammed value.

7. A hangar according to claim 1, wherein the hangar comprises a closing module comprising the closable opening, wherein the closing module is arranged to open, close, keep open or keep closed the closable opening by a flap or door.

8. A hangar according to claim 7, wherein the hangar is hermetically sealed when the opening is closed.

9. A hangar according to claim 1, further comprising an energy module which is arranged to supply energy to at least the manipulator arm and the closing module.

10. A hangar according to claim 9, wherein the energy module comprises at least one solar panel and/or one wind power module.

11. A hangar according to claim 1, wherein the hangar further comprises a levelling module which is set up to automatically level the hangar after installation at a location.

12. A hangar according to claim 1, wherein the hangar comprises a sensor module which is set up to check the take-off of the at least one unmanned aerial vehicle from the take-off and/or landing surface and/or to check and/or register the landing of at least one unmanned aerial vehicle on the take-off and/or landing surface.

13. A hangar according to claim 1, wherein the hangar further comprises a control module configured to control the at least one manipulator arm and/or the at least one closing module and/or the levelling module and/or the temperature regulation module and/or the sensor module.

14. A hangar according to claim 1, wherein the hangar further comprises a transport and/or carrying and/or lifting and/or pulling device.

15. A system comprising at least two hangars according to claim 1.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0040] It shows:

[0041] FIG. 1A perspective view of an embodiment of a hangar 100 for at least one unmanned aerial vehicle 104 according to the disclosure;

[0042] FIG. 2 a further perspective view of a hangar 100, with two levels 120 in the interior 106;

[0043] FIG. 3 a further perspective view of a hangar 100, according to FIG. 1 or FIG. 2, with closed opening 118;

[0044] FIG. 4 a side view of a hangar 100 as shown in FIG. 3;

[0045] FIG. 5 a rear view of a hangar 100 according to FIG. 1 or FIG. 2;

[0046] FIG. 6 a schematic, perspective view of the hangar 100 shown in FIG. 2;

[0047] FIG. 7 a schematic, perspective view of the hangar 100 shown in FIG. 2 from the side; and

[0048] FIG. 8 a schematic, perspective view of the hangar 100 shown in FIG. 2 from the rear.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0049] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an embodiment according to the disclosure of a hangar 100 for at least one unmanned aerial vehicle 104.

[0050] The hangar includes an interior 106 defined by a bottom surface 108, a top surface 110 and four side panels 112.

[0051] One of the side parts 112, in this embodiment example the side part on the front side 112, has a closable opening 118.

[0052] In this embodiment example, the closable opening 118 is shown in an open state.

[0053] It is not shown that the closable opening 118 can be closed by a sliding door.

[0054] In this embodiment example, a lateral side portion 112, shown on the right, has a lockable door that provides controlled access to the interior 106 and elements, modules and/or aircraft 104 contained therein, for example for maintenance. This door can be hermetically lockable.

[0055] Alternatively, only a side panel 112 would be conceivable.

[0056] In this embodiment example, the outer upper surface 110 comprises a take-off and/or landing surface 116 for the at least one unmanned aerial vehicle 104.

[0057] The hangar 100 further comprises a manipulator arm 102 in the interior 106.

[0058] In this embodiment example, a plane 120 is arranged in the interior 106, which carries an unmanned aerial vehicle 104.

[0059] In other words, in this embodiment example, an unmanned aerial vehicle 104 is parked and/or parked on the level 120 within the interior 106 of the hangar 100.

[0060] Further, an unmanned aerial vehicle 104 is shown on the take-off and/or landing surface 116.

[0061] In this embodiment example, the manipulator arm 102 comprises four joints 114. Generally, the manipulator arm 102 may include three or more joints 114.

[0062] Not shown in FIG. 1 is that the hangar 100 comprises a temperature module.

[0063] Furthermore, it is not shown in FIG. 1 that the hangar 100 comprises a closing module which comprises the closable opening 118.

[0064] Not shown in FIG. 1 is that the hangar 100 comprises an energy module.

[0065] Furthermore, it is not shown that the energy module can comprise at least one solar panel and/or a wind power module.

[0066] FIG. 1 also does not explicitly show that the hangar 100 also has a leveling module.

[0067] Furthermore, it is not explicitly shown that the hangar 100 comprises a sensor module.

[0068] It is not explicitly shown that the hangar 100 also comprises a control module.

[0069] Not shown in FIG. 1 is that the characteristics of the unmanned aerial vehicle 104 include, for example, manufacturer, type, size and/or configuration.

[0070] Not shown in FIG. 1 is that the hangar 100 is part of a system of two hangars 100.

[0071] Not shown in FIG. 1 is that 14 the hangar 100 further comprises several hooks as a lifting and/or carrying and/or pulling device.

[0072] FIG. 2 shows a further perspective view of a hangar 100, with two levels 120 in the interior 106.

[0073] The depicted hangar 100 essentially corresponds in structure and function to the hangar 100 shown in FIG. 1.

[0074] In contrast to FIG. 1, FIG. 2 shows two levels 120 in the interior 106. Each of the two levels 120 carries two unmanned aerial vehicles 104.

[0075] In this embodiment example, the unmanned aerial vehicles 104 are substantially identical. Alternatively, it is possible for different aircraft 104 to be transported by the manipulator arm 102 and parked in the hangar until the appropriate deployment.

[0076] FIG. 3 shows a further perspective view of a hangar 100, according to FIG. 1 or FIG. 2, with closed opening 118.

[0077] The opening 118 in the front side section 112 was closed by a sliding door.

[0078] It is not explicitly shown that the closed Hangar 100 is hermetically sealed.

[0079] FIG. 4 shows a side view of a hangar 100 as shown in FIG. 3.

[0080] FIG. 5 shows a rear view of a hangar 100 according to FIG. 1 or FIG. 2.

[0081] FIG. 6 shows a schematic, perspective view of the hangar 100 shown in FIG. 2.

[0082] FIG. 7 shows a schematic, perspective view of the hangar 100 shown in FIG. 2 from the side. FIG. 8 shows a schematic, perspective view of the hangar 100 shown in FIG. 2 from the rear.

[0083] The function of Hangar 100 can be described as follows:

[0084] In the embodiment shown in the figures, the hangar 100 is designed as a hangar for at least one unmanned aerial vehicle 104. It can be used, for example, in drone-based water rescue and/or recovery, drone-based search, photography and running recording, weather forecasting, shipping, sporting events (e.g. drone races), agriculture, science, transportation, data collection, monitoring of critical infrastructures (KRITIS, for example energy and water supply, traffic, but also medical care), identification of pollutants, in particular with the aid of suitable sensor modules and/or border surveillance. Alternative applications are possible.

[0085] In the case of drone-based water rescue, the drone drops rescue equipment (e.g. buoyancy aids) at or near the rescue site. The drone can be refilled with rescue equipment after the mission has been completed as part of the post-flight inspection.

[0086] In the event of salvage and damage, the drone drops sensors (e.g. an ultrasonic underwater sphere) or drops sensors in the event of damage (e.g. damage caused by the chemical/pharmaceutical industry). In particular, the drone can serve as a communication hub. It is also conceivable that the hangar, to which the drone returns after the mission, could also serve as a communication hub by transmitting measurement data that is not time-critical from the drone to an external receiver via the hangar.

[0087] The structure of the hangar 100 and the manipulator arm 100 provides the necessary freedom of movement to safely park at least one unmanned aerial vehicle 104 in the hangar 100 or on the takeoff and/or landing surface 116.

[0088] The manipulator arm 102 is configured to transport an unmanned aerial vehicle 104 from a plane in the interior 106, through the closable opening 118 in the side portion 112, from the interior 106 to the exterior top surface 110 of the hangar 100.

[0089] Alternatively and/or additionally, the manipulator arm 102 may transport an unmanned aerial vehicle 104 on the outer surface 110, more specifically on the takeoff and or landing surface 116, through the closable opening 118 in the one side portion 112 from the outer upper surface 110 of the hangar 100 into the interior 106. In particular, the manipulator arm 102 can park the unmanned aerial vehicle 104 on a level 120. By parking multiple unmanned aerial vehicles on one (FIG. 1) or more levels 120, the hangar 100 can be used as a port and/or base and/or parking location for multiple unmanned aerial vehicles 104.

[0090] In general, the manipulator arm 102 is configured to perform transportation of one or more unmanned aerial vehicles 104, regardless of its or their characteristics.

[0091] The function of the manipulator arm 102 and/or the hangar 100 is based on the idea that the manipulator arm 102 and/or the control module can be programmed such that the manipulator arm 102 can identify and/or grab and/or transport either a specific or different embodiments of aircraft 104. In other words, the manipulator arm is programmable and adapted to transport different unmanned aerial vehicles 104 having different characteristics. The programming may be repeatedly revised and/or overhauled and/or renewed and/or supplemented. Each of the modules noted herein may include a processor and memory, wherein instructions for carrying out the specific actions described herein are stored in the memory for each respective module.

[0092] The fact that the manipulator arm 102 and/or the control module can be programmed, even repeatedly, to recognize and/or transport one or more of the same or different unmanned aerial vehicles 104 results in great flexibility. The hangar 100 and the manipulator arm 102 are thus not manufactured and designed specifically for one type of unmanned aerial vehicle 104, but are suitable for different types of unmanned aerial vehicles 104.

[0093] Generally, the control module is configured to control the at least one manipulator arm 102 and/or the at least one locking module and/or the leveling module and/or the temperature regulation module and/or the sensing module.

[0094] The closing module is arranged to open, close, keep open or keep closed the lockable opening 118 by means of a flap or door 122.

[0095] The temperature control module regulates the temperature in the interior 106 to a pre-programmed value.

[0096] The energy module supplies the hangar 100, individual or all modules and/or elements, but at least the manipulator arm 102 and the locking module with energy.

[0097] The sensing module registers and/or verifies the takeoff of the at least one unmanned aerial vehicle 104 from the takeoff and/or landing surface 116 and/or the landing of the at least one unmanned aerial vehicle 104 on the takeoff and/or landing surface 116.

[0098] The leveling module automatically levels the Hangar 100 after installation at a location.

[0099] FIGS. 1-8 are drawn to scale, although other relative dimensions and positioning may be used, as desired. FIGS. 1-8 show example configurations with relative positioning of the various components. Unless otherwise noted, if shown directly contacting each other, or directly coupled, then such elements may be referred to as directly contacting or directly coupled, respectively, at least in one example. Similarly, elements shown contiguous or adjacent to one another may be contiguous or adjacent to each other, respectively, at least in one example. As an example, components laying in face-sharing contact with each other may be referred to as in face-sharing contact. As another example, elements positioned apart from each other with only a space there-between and no other components may be referred to as such, in at least one example. As yet another example, elements shown above/below one another, at opposite sides to one another, or to the left/right of one another may be referred to as such, relative to one another. Further, as shown in the figures, a topmost element or point of element may be referred to as a top of the component and a bottommost element or point of the element may be referred to as a bottom of the component, in at least one example. As used herein, top/bottom, upper/lower, above/below, may be relative to a vertical axis of the figures and used to describe positioning of elements of the figures relative to one another. As such, elements shown above other elements are positioned vertically above the other elements, in one example. As yet another example, shapes of the elements depicted within the figures may be referred to as having those shapes (e.g., such as being circular, straight, planar, curved, rounded, chamfered, angled, or the like). Further, elements shown intersecting one another may be referred to as intersecting elements or intersecting one another, in at least one example. Further still, an element shown within another element or shown outside of another element may be referred as such, in one example.

LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS

[0100] 100 Hangar [0101] 102 Manipulator arm [0102] 104 Aircraft [0103] 106 Interior [0104] 108 Bottom part [0105] 110 Top part [0106] 112 Side part [0107] 114 Joint [0108] 116 Take-off/landing area [0109] 118 Opening [0110] 120 Level [0111] 122 Flap/door