Uav retrieval and deployment system and method therefor

Abstract

Provided is a system including a platform to receive unmanned air vehicles (UAVs) thereon for launching and retrieving the UAVs, and a method therefor. The system can include a pair of gantry arms that move to any location along the platform to position a UAV as desired. The platform includes a door that can open to expose a storage area in the system to receive and store UAVs, as well as to re-charge power in the UAVs. The storage area can include a plurality of cells that can be adjusted to receive a UAV of any size for storage therein.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of managing unmanned air vehicles (UAVs), the method comprising:
 receiving a UAV on a platform of an enclosed UAV storage system;   lifting or holding the received UAV above the platform with at least one gantry arm;   retracting a door formed in the platform to create an opening in the enclosed UAV storage system;   moving the received UAV over the opening in the enclosed system with the at least one gantry arm;   elevating one of a plurality of trays from a corresponding one of a plurality of stationary cells disposed within the enclosed UAV storage system to a position directly under and in contact with the UAV disposed over the opening; and   moving the elevated tray with the received UAV thereon to a position within the corresponding cell with the received UAV thereon.   
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 charging the UAV with a power supply disposed on the tray in which the UAV is disposed thereon, wherein the power supply is specifically configured for the received UAV.   
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 2 , wherein charging of the UAV is performed with a programmable power supply disposed in the UAV storage system, the programmable power supply being electrically connectable to the UAV and able to charge the UAV when the UAV is disposed on the tray and the tray is disposed in a charging cell within the UAV storage system. 
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 transferring power and data to the UAV from a wired socket disposed on the tray, wherein the UAV becomes connected to the socket when the UAV becomes engaged with the tray and the UAV becomes disconnected from the socket when the UAV becomes disengaged with the tray.   
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 transferring power and data to the UAV storage system from a wired socket disposed on the tray, wherein the UAV storage system becomes connected to the socket when the tray is inserted into the charging cell and the UAV storage system becomes disconnected from the socket when the tray is removed from the charging cell.   
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 5 , wherein the UAV and the socket become electrically connected for power transmission and/or data transmission. 
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 5 , wherein the UAV becomes engaged with the tray when at least one foot of the UAV is connected to a slot formed in the tray. 
     
     
         8 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one gantry arm engages with two feet of the received UAV via a pair of notches disposed at each of two opposite ends thereof to secure the UAV thereto and to slide the received UAV to any location on the platform and over the opening when the door is retracted. 
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 8 , wherein the moving of the received UAV over the opening in the enclosed system is performed by engaging the UAV with a first gantry arm and a second gantry arm and guiding the first gantry arm across the platform in a first back and forth direction with a first guide rail and guiding the first gantry arm in a second back and forth direction perpendicular to the first back and forth direction with a second guide rail, and guiding the second gantry arm across the platform in a first back and forth direction with the first guide rail and guiding the second gantry arm in a second back and forth direction perpendicular to the first back and forth direction with a third guide rail. 
     
     
         10 . A method of managing unmanned air vehicles (UAVs), the method comprising:
 charging a UAV disposed on a movable tray stored within a corresponding cell formed in an enclosed UAV storage system;   retracting a door formed in a platform of the enclosed system to form an opening therein;   moving the tray with the stored UAV disposed thereon from the corresponding cell to a position above the opening; and   lifting or holding the received UAV to a position above the platform away from the opening with at least one movable gantry arm.   
     
     
         11 . The method according to  claim 10 , wherein charging of the UAV is performed with a power supply disposed on the tray in which the UAV is disposed thereon, the power supply being specifically configured for the UAV. 
     
     
         12 . The method according to  claim 11 , wherein charging of the UAV is performed with a programmable power supply disposed in the UAV storage system, the programmable power supply being electrically connectable to the UAV and able to charge the UAV when the UAV is disposed on the tray and the tray is disposed in a charging cell within the UAV storage system. 
     
     
         13 . The method according to  claim 11 , further comprising:
 transferring power and data to the UAV from a wired socket disposed on the tray, wherein the UAV becomes connected to the socket when the UAV is engaged with the tray and the UAV becomes disconnected from the socket when the UAV becomes disengaged with the tray.   
     
     
         14 . The method according to  claim 11 , further comprising:
 transferring power and data to the UAV storage system from a wired socket disposed on the tray, wherein the UAV storage system becomes connected to the socket when the tray is inserted into the charging cell and the UAV storage system becomes disconnected from the socket when the tray is removed from the charging cell.   
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 11 , wherein the at least one gantry arm engages with two feet of the received UAV via a pair of notches disposed at each of two opposite ends thereof to secure the UAV thereto and slide the UAV to any location on the platform. 
     
     
         16 . The method according to  claim 15 , wherein the at least one gantry arm is guided across the platform with a corresponding guiding rail which moves across the platform. 
     
     
         17 . The method according to  claim 16 , wherein the moving of the received UAV over the opening in the enclosed system is performed by engaging the UAV with a first gantry arm and a second gantry arm and guiding the first gantry arm across the platform in a first back and forth direction with a first guide rail and guiding the first gantry arm in a second back and forth direction perpendicular to the first back and forth direction with a second guide rail, and guiding the second gantry arm across the platform in a first back and forth direction with the first guide rail and guiding the second gantry arm in a second back and forth direction perpendicular to the first back and forth direction with a third guide rail.