Tethered Unmanned Aerial Vehicle System

Abstract

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.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system comprising:
 a base comprising a bottom surface and a first coupling-point;   a vertically-oriented elongate structure comprising a lower end and an upper end, wherein the lower end of the elongate structure is coupled to the base;   an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) comprising a second coupling-point; and   a tether extending along the vertically-oriented elongate structure, wherein a first end of the tether is coupled to the first coupling-point of the base and a second end of the tether is coupled to the second coupling-point of the UAV.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the base comprises a vehicle. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the base comprises a spooling mechanism configured for adjusting a length of the tether, and wherein the first coupling-point is disposed on the spooling mechanism. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the base comprises a power source, and wherein the tether is configured for delivering power from the power source to the UAV. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the base comprises a computing system, and wherein the tether is configured for facilitating communication between the computing system and the UAV. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the vertically-oriented elongate structure comprises a mast having an adjustable height. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a landing structure constructed and arranged for receiving the UAV, wherein the landing structure is coupled to the elongate structure proximate the upper end.   
     
     
         8 . A system for use with an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), the system comprising:
 a base comprising a first coupling-point;   a vertically-oriented elongate structure comprising a lower end and an upper end, wherein the lower end of the elongate structure is coupled to the base;   a landing structure constructed and arranged for receiving the UAV, wherein the landing structure is coupled to the elongate structure proximate the upper end; and   a tether extending along the vertically-oriented elongate structure, wherein a first end of the tether is coupled to the first coupling-point of the base and a second end of the tether is coupled to a second coupling-point on the UAV.   
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the base comprises a vehicle. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the base comprises a spooling mechanism configured for adjusting a length of the tether, and wherein the first coupling-point is disposed on the spooling mechanism. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the vertically-oriented elongate structure comprises a mast having an adjustable height. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the landing structure comprises a bowl-shaped portion. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the landing structure comprises a coupling portion that extends around the upper end of the elongate structure to facilitate coupling the landing structure to the elongate structure. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the landing structure comprises an opening, and wherein the tether extends through the opening. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the opening is disposed proximate a center portion of the landing structure. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the opening is circular shaped. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the landing structure comprises a net disposed around a perimeter of the landing structure. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein at least a portion of the landing structure is collapsible. 
     
     
         19 . A system for use with an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), the system comprising:
 a base comprising a bottom surface and a first coupling-point;   a vertically-oriented elongate structure comprising a lower end and an upper end, wherein the lower end of the elongate structure is coupled to the base;   a landing structure constructed and arranged for receiving the UAV, wherein the landing structure is coupled to the elongate structure proximate the upper end; and   a tether extending along the vertically-oriented elongate structure, wherein a first end of the tether is coupled to the first coupling-point of the base and a second end of the tether is coupled to a second coupling-point on the UAV.   
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 19 , wherein the landing structure comprises a bowl-shaped portion.