US 11,673,663 B2
Multi-modal vehicle
Moble Benedict, College Station, TX (US); Hunter Denton, Hawkins, TX (US); and Vikram Hrishikeshavan, Hyattsville, MD (US)
Assigned to The Texas A&M University System, College Station, TX (US); and University of Maryland, College Park, MD (US)
Appl. No. 16/614,827
Filed by The Texas A&M University System, College Station, TX (US); and University of Maryland, College Park, College Park, MD (US)
PCT Filed May 21, 2018, PCT No. PCT/US2018/033713
§ 371(c)(1), (2) Date Nov. 19, 2019,
PCT Pub. No. WO2018/213836, PCT Pub. Date Nov. 22, 2018.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/508,640, filed on May 19, 2017.
Prior Publication US 2020/0207469 A1, Jul. 2, 2020
Int. Cl. B64C 37/00 (2006.01); B60F 5/02 (2006.01); B64C 27/52 (2006.01); B64C 39/02 (2023.01); B64D 27/24 (2006.01); B64U 10/13 (2023.01); B64U 30/20 (2023.01); B64U 50/19 (2023.01)
CPC B64C 37/00 (2013.01) [B60F 5/02 (2013.01); B64C 27/52 (2013.01); B64C 39/024 (2013.01); B64D 27/24 (2013.01); B64U 10/13 (2023.01); B64U 30/20 (2023.01); B64U 50/19 (2023.01)] 18 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A multi-modal vehicle, comprising:
a frame;
a rotor pivotally mounted to the frame, the rotor comprising a first position and a second position circumferentially spaced from the first position;
a motor coupled to the rotor and configured to rotate the rotor; and
a magnetic locking mechanism configured to lock the rotor in either the first position or the second position, wherein the magnetic locking mechanism comprises a shaft coupled to the motor and which is rotatable relative to the frame, a first magnet mounted on the shaft, a second magnet mounted on the shaft and which is circumferentially spaced from the first magnet, and a third magnet mounted on the frame;
wherein, when the rotor is disposed in the first position, the rotor is configured to generate lift when actuated by the motor;
wherein, when the rotor is disposed in the second position, the rotor is configured to engage a surface to transport the vehicle when actuated by the motor.