Ground effect based surface sensing using multiple propellers in automated aerial vehicles

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United States of America Patent

PATENT NO 9934694
SERIAL NO

15606807

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Abstract

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A system and method for operating an automated aerial vehicle are provided wherein influences of ground effects (e.g., which may increase the effective thrusts of propellers by interfering with the respective airflows) are utilized for sensing the ground or other surfaces. In various implementations, operating parameters of the automated aerial vehicle are monitored to determine when ground effects are influencing the parameters associated with each of the propellers, which correspondingly indicate proximities to a surface (e.g., the ground). Utilizing such techniques, different propellers of an automated aerial vehicle may provide different sensing data (e.g., for detecting issues with an uneven landing area, a sloped ground, determining an automated aerial vehicle's location based on a unique ground surface profile, etc.)

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Patent Owner(s)

Patent OwnerAddress
AMAZON TECHNOLOGIES INCP O BOX 81226 SEATTLE WA 98108-1226

International Classification(s)

Inventor(s)

Inventor Name Address # of filed Patents Total Citations
Beckman, Brian C Newcastle, US 188 4881
Buchmueller, Daniel Seattle, US 75 2283
Green, Scott A North Bend, US 40 1596
Hensel, Fabian Seattle, US 26 1284
Kimchi, Gur Bellevue, US 227 7459
Navot, Amir Seattle, US 37 1350
Porter, Brandon William Yarrow Point, US 77 4455
Rault, Severan Sylvain Jean-Michel Bellevue, US 15 1047

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