Unmanned aerial vehicle and method for protecting payload

Abstract

Disclosed is an an unmanned aerial vehicle. The unmanned aerial vehicle includes a payload arranged in a container, said container being equipped with a parachute; means for attaching the payload to the unmanned aerial vehicle and means for ejecting the payload from the unmanned aerial vehicle. The means for ejecting the payload from the unmanned aerial vehicle is communicatively coupled with the payload and configured to be actioned upon an emergency situation.

1 . An unmanned aerial vehicle comprising:
 a payload arranged in a container, said container being equipped with a parachute;   means for attaching the payload to the unmanned aerial vehicle; and   means for ejecting the payload from the unmanned aerial vehicle, the means for ejecting the payload from the unmanned aerial vehicle being communicatively coupled with the payload and configured to be actioned upon an emergency situation.   
     
     
         2 . An unmanned aerial vehicle according to  claim 1 , wherein the means for ejecting the payload from the unmanned aerial vehicle comprises a processor, a power source and means for collecting and storing data, the processor being configured to monitor and analyze information received from the payload. 
     
     
         3 . An unmanned aerial vehicle according to  claim 2 , wherein the processor of the means for ejecting the payload from the unmanned aerial vehicle is further configured to perform at least one of
 switch off one or more devices of the payload,   download and save flight data into the payload, and   transmit location data into an operations base.   
     
     
         4 . An unmanned aerial vehicle according to  claim 2 , wherein the processor of the means for ejecting the payload from the unmanned aerial vehicle is arranged within the container of the payload. 
     
     
         5 . An unmanned aerial vehicle according to  claim 1 , wherein the emergency situation is indicated by detection of at least one of
 an abnormal flying angle,   a failure of automation,   an acceleration beyond a threshold,   a malfunction of a pilot system, and   an immediate crash.   
     
     
         6 . An unmanned aerial vehicle according to  claim 1 , wherein the payload comprises at least one of
 one or more sensors,   one or more cameras,   a light detection and ranging device,   a radar,   a processor for recording and analyzing measured data,   means for a wireless connection to an operations base, and   a power source.   
     
     
         7 . An unmanned aerial vehicle according to  claim 1 , wherein the container is waterproof and optionally equipped with a floating device. 
     
     
         8 . An unmanned aerial vehicle according to  claim 1 , wherein the parachute is arranged to be deployed after ejection with a delay of time t. 
     
     
         9 . An unmanned aerial vehicle according to  claim 8 , wherein the time t is set according to flight parameters at the time of ejection. 
     
     
         10 . An unmanned aerial vehicle according to  claim 8 , wherein the time t is from 0.5 to 2 seconds. 
     
     
         11 . An unmanned aerial vehicle according to  claim 1 , wherein the means for attaching the payload comprises at least one of a cage and at least one rail. 
     
     
         12 . An unmanned aerial vehicle according to  claim 1 , wherein the means for ejecting the payload from the unmanned aerial vehicle are arranged to be actioned by a mechanism selected from the group consisting of electrical current through servo detachment mechanism, pre-stressed spring, pressurized gas and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         13 . An unmanned aerial vehicle according to  claim 1 , further comprising a diagnostic module communicatively coupled with the payload, which diagnostic module is configured to initiate an operation mode of the unmanned aerial vehicle, which operation mode is selected from the group consisting of
 a first mode, wherein said first mode is a normal operation mode configured to be used when no errors are detected,   a second mode, wherein said second mode is a safe landing mode configured to be initiated when one or more non-critical components of the unmanned aerial vehicle are in a non-responsive mode or not working according to pre-defined conditions, and   a third mode, wherein said third mode is an emergency landing mode configured to be initiated when one or more critical components of the unmanned aerial vehicle are in non-responsive mode or not working according to pre-defined conditions,   wherein said second mode is configured to override said first mode and said third mode is configured to override both said first mode and said second mode.   
     
     
         14 . A method for protecting a payload carried on an unmanned aerial vehicle, which unmanned aerial vehicle comprises
 the payload arranged in a container, said container being equipped with a parachute,   means for attaching the payload to the unmanned aerial vehicle, and   means for ejecting the payload from the unmanned aerial vehicle, the means for ejecting the payload from the unmanned aerial vehicle being communicatively coupled with the payload,   the method comprising detecting an emergency situation and actioning the means for ejecting the payload.   
     
     
         15 . A method according to  claim 14 , further comprising at least one of
 switching off one or more devices of the payload,   downloading and saving flight data into the payload, and   transmitting location data into an operations base.   
     
     
         16 . A method according to  claim 15 , further comprising
 operating said unmanned aerial vehicle in a first mode, wherein said first mode is a normal operations mode, when no errors are detected,   operating said unmanned aerial vehicle in a second mode, wherein said second mode is a safe landing mode, when one or more non-critical components of the unmanned aerial vehicle are in a non-responsive mode or not working according to pre-defined conditions, and   operating said unmanned aerial vehicle in a third mode, wherein said third mode is an emergency landing mode, when one or more critical components of the unmanned aerial vehicle are in non-responsive mode or not working according to pre-defined conditions,   wherein said second mode overrides said first mode and said third mode overrides both said first mode and said second mode.   
     
     
         17 . The method according to  claim 16 , wherein said safe landing mode comprises
 scanning an environment of the unmanned aerial vehicle with at least one sensor,   ranking possible landing sites,   selecting a landing site, and   landing.   
     
     
         18 . The method according to  claim 17 , wherein said scanning the environment of the unmanned aerial vehicle further comprises using information from at least one of a map and a memory.