US 11,975,867 B2
UAV payload module camera assembly and retraction mechanism
John Peter Zwaan, Simi Valley, CA (US); Pavel Belik, Simi Valley, CA (US); Manolis Dimotakis, Simi Valley, CA (US); and Christopher J. D'Aquila, Burbank, CA (US)
Assigned to AeroVironment, Inc., Arlington, VA (US)
Filed by AeroVironment, Inc., Arlington, VA (US)
Filed on Jan. 10, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/095,517.
Application 18/095,517 is a continuation of application No. 17/060,071, filed on Sep. 30, 2020, granted, now 11,554,879.
Application 17/060,071 is a continuation of application No. 16/666,386, filed on Oct. 28, 2019, granted, now 10,800,544, issued on Oct. 13, 2020.
Application 16/666,386 is a continuation of application No. 16/130,997, filed on Sep. 13, 2018, granted, now 10,457,418, issued on Oct. 29, 2019.
Application 16/130,997 is a continuation of application No. 15/829,214, filed on Dec. 1, 2017, granted, now 10,189,581, issued on Jan. 29, 2019.
Application 15/829,214 is a continuation of application No. 15/007,206, filed on Jan. 26, 2016, granted, now 9,850,004, issued on Dec. 26, 2017.
Application 15/007,206 is a continuation of application No. 13/730,828, filed on Dec. 29, 2012, granted, now 9,309,006, issued on Apr. 12, 2016.
Application 13/730,828 is a continuation of application No. PCT/US2011/042376, filed on Jun. 29, 2011.
Claims priority of provisional application 61/359,809, filed on Jun. 29, 2010.
Claims priority of provisional application 61/359,817, filed on Jun. 29, 2010.
Prior Publication US 2023/0202678 A1, Jun. 29, 2023
Int. Cl. B64D 47/08 (2006.01); B64C 39/02 (2023.01); B64D 9/00 (2006.01); B64D 27/24 (2006.01); B64U 101/30 (2023.01)
CPC B64D 47/08 (2013.01) [B64C 39/024 (2013.01); B64D 9/00 (2013.01); B64D 27/24 (2013.01); B64U 2101/30 (2023.01)] 18 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method in a UAV comprising:
a) installing in the UAV a payload module comprising a payload secured therewithin so as to be capable of stowing the payload within the UAV and deploying the payload out of the UAV;
b) biasing the payload out of the UAV into a deployed position;
c) retracting the payload using a flexible means capable of supporting tension; and
d) wherein retracting using the flexible means comprises causing the payload to retract into the UAV from the deployed position while biasing the payload out of the UAV.