Unmanned aerial vehicle and operations thereof

Abstract

A multi-rotor unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) includes a central body including an outer surface and an inner surface, a plurality of branch members connected to the central body, each branch member configured to support a corresponding actuator assembly, one or more receiving structures positioned on the outer surface of the central body and configured to receive one or more electrical components, the one or more electrical components comprising at least a battery of the UAV, and an indicator light disposed at an opening or a window on one of the plurality of branch members, wherein the opening or the window is made of a transparent or semi-transparent material.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A multi-rotor unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), comprising:
 a central body comprising an outer surface and an inner surface;   a plurality of branch members connected to the central body, each branch member configured to support a corresponding actuator assembly;   one or more receiving structures positioned on the outer surface of the central body and configured to receive one or more electrical components, the one or more electrical components comprising at least a battery of the UAV; and   an indicator light disposed at an opening or a window on one of the plurality of branch members, wherein the opening or the window is made of a transparent or semi-transparent material.   
     
     
         2 . The UAV of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more receiving structures are coupled to or formed by the outer surface of the central body. 
     
     
         3 . The UAV of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more receiving structures include slots, grids, or housings that accommodate at least a portion of the battery of the UAV. 
     
     
         4 . The UAV of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more receiving structures further include a flap or a cover member hingedly coupled to the central body and covering the one or more electrical components. 
     
     
         5 . The UAV of  claim 1 , wherein the indicator light is configured to indicate a state of a communication channel between the UAV and a remote device. 
     
     
         6 . The UAV of  claim 5 , further comprising a button configured to adjust frequency of the communication channel established between the UAV and the remote device. 
     
     
         7 . The UAV of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more electrical components further comprises at least a sensor configured for navigation, surveillance, or remote sensing. 
     
     
         8 . The UAV of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a plurality of connecting members, wherein each of the plurality of connecting members is disposed within a corresponding branch space formed by a corresponding branch member,   wherein each of the plurality of connecting members is configured to connect at least an electronic speed control (ESC) module and the corresponding actuator assembly for providing actuator signals generated by the ESC module to the corresponding actuator assembly.   
     
     
         9 . The UAV of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more electrical components further include at least one of:
 a communication module configured to establish a communication channel between the UAV and a remote device;   a flight control module configured to generate control signals to adjust a state of the UAV, wherein the control signals are generated based at least in part on signals received from the remote device via the communication channel; or   an electronic speed control (ESC) module connected to the flight control module, wherein the ESC module is configured to generate actuator signals based on the control signals received from the flight control module.   
     
     
         10 . A multi-rotor unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), comprising:
 a central body comprising an outer surface and an inner surface;   a plurality of branch members connected to the central body, each branch member configured to support a corresponding actuator assembly;   one or more receiving structures positioned on the outer surface of the central body and configured to receive one or more electrical components, the one or more electrical components comprising at least a battery of the UAV; and   an indicator light disposed at an opening or a window on the central body, wherein the opening or the window is made of a transparent or semi-transparent material.   
     
     
         11 . The UAV of  claim 10 , wherein the one or more receiving structures are coupled to or formed by the outer surface of the central body. 
     
     
         12 . The UAV of  claim 10 , wherein the one or more receiving structures include slots, grids, or housings that accommodate at least a portion of the battery of the UAV. 
     
     
         13 . The UAV of  claim 10 , wherein the one or more receiving structures further include a flap or a cover member hingedly coupled to the central body and covering the one or more electrical components. 
     
     
         14 . The UAV of  claim 10 , wherein the indicator light is configured to indicate a state of a communication channel between the UAV and a remote device. 
     
     
         15 . The UAV of  claim 14 , further comprising a button configured to adjust frequency of the communication channel established between the UAV and the remote device. 
     
     
         16 . The UAV of  claim 10 , wherein the one or more receiving structures further include an opening for placing or retrieving the battery for recharging the battery. 
     
     
         17 . The UAV of  claim 10 , further comprising:
 a plurality of connecting members, wherein each of the plurality of connecting members is disposed within a corresponding branch space formed by a corresponding branch member,   wherein each of the plurality of connecting members is configured to connect at least an electronic speed control (ESC) module and the corresponding actuator assembly for providing actuator signals generated by the ESC module to the corresponding actuator assembly.   
     
     
         18 . A multi-rotor unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), comprising:
 a central body comprising an outer surface and an inner surface;   a plurality of branch members connected to the central body, each branch member configured to support a corresponding actuator assembly;   one or more receiving structures positioned on the outer surface of the central body and configured to receive one or more electrical components, the one or more electrical components comprising at least a sensor; and   an indicator light disposed at an opening or a window on one of the plurality of branch members, wherein the opening or the window is made of a transparent or semi-transparent material.   
     
     
         19 . The UAV of  claim 18 , wherein the sensor is further held in place on the outer surface of the central body by the one or more receiving structures via a fastener. 
     
     
         20 . The UAV of  claim 18 , wherein the indicator light is configured to indicate a state of a communication channel between the UAV and a remote device.