US 12,221,212 B2
Integrated convertible quadcopter with full field of regard
Marc T. Angelucci, Cherry Hill, NJ (US)
Assigned to Lockheed Martin Corporation, Bethesda, MD (US)
Filed by Lockheed Martin Corporation, Bethesda, MD (US)
Filed on Jun. 28, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/342,992.
Application 18/342,992 is a division of application No. 17/360,814, filed on Jun. 28, 2021, granted, now 11,814,172.
Prior Publication US 2024/0132210 A1, Apr. 25, 2024
Prior Publication US 2024/0239483 A9, Jul. 18, 2024
Int. Cl. B64C 39/02 (2023.01); B64C 27/08 (2023.01); B64U 10/13 (2023.01); B64U 10/14 (2023.01); B64U 20/87 (2023.01); B64U 30/297 (2023.01); B64U 30/20 (2023.01); B64U 50/19 (2023.01)
CPC B64C 39/024 (2013.01) [B64C 27/08 (2013.01); B64U 10/13 (2023.01); B64U 10/14 (2023.01); B64U 20/87 (2023.01); B64U 30/297 (2023.01); B64U 30/20 (2023.01); B64U 50/19 (2023.01); B64U 2201/10 (2023.01); B64U 2201/20 (2023.01)] 18 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A computer implemented system for operating an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), comprising:
one or more processors;
one or more computer-readable non-transitory storage media comprising instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause performance of operations comprising:
launching the UAV from an upright position to at least a predetermined threshold elevation above ground level, the upright position defined by nonrotation of a convertible body of the UAV from an initial position;
enabling conversion of the UAV, the conversion defined by rotating the convertible body about a longitudinal axis, the conversion operable to achieve a full field of regard for at least one payload coupled to the convertible body of the UAV; and
returning the UAV to the upright position for landing;
wherein the UAV is operable to descend below the predetermined threshold elevation only when the convertible body is in the upright position.