US 12,318,932 B2
System, method and apparatus for providing a work platform for use with an unmanned aerial vehicle
Jacob Lahmann, Omaha, NE (US); and Angela R. Chamberlain, Gretna, NE (US)
Assigned to VALMONT INDUSTRIES, INC., Omaha, NE (US)
Filed by VALMONT INDUSTRIES, INC., Omaha, NE (US)
Filed on Aug. 12, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/886,629.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/235,223, filed on Aug. 20, 2021.
Prior Publication US 2023/0058374 A1, Feb. 23, 2023
Int. Cl. B25J 9/16 (2006.01); B25J 9/00 (2006.01); B25J 11/00 (2006.01); B64C 39/02 (2023.01)
CPC B25J 9/162 (2013.01) [B25J 9/0084 (2013.01); B25J 9/1694 (2013.01); B25J 11/005 (2013.01); B64C 39/024 (2013.01)] 23 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A tool platform for use with an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), wherein the tool platform comprises:
a positioning frame assembly; wherein the positioning frame assembly comprises:
an upper positioning shaft;
a lower positioning shaft; wherein the upper positioning shaft and the lower positioning shaft are horizontally aligned and parallel to each other;
a right positioning shaft; and
a left positioning shaft; wherein the right positioning shaft and the left positioning shaft are vertically aligned and parallel to each other;
a first and second vertical tool arm positioning shafts;
wherein the first and second vertical tool arm positioning shafts extend between the upper and lower positioning shafts; wherein the first and second vertical tool arm positioning shafts are attached respectively to a first pair of servo motors and a second pair of servo motors; wherein the first pair of servo motors are configured to move the first vertical tool arm positioning shaft between the right positioning shaft and the left positioning shaft; wherein the second pair of servo motors are configured to move the second vertical tool arm positioning shaft between the right positioning shaft and the left positioning shaft;
a first tool arm shaft;
a second tool arm shaft;
a first yz-axis servo motor; wherein the first yz-axis servo motor is configured to move the first tool arm shaft along the first tool arm positioning shaft;
a second yz-axis servo motor; wherein the second yz-axis servo motor is configured to move the second tool arm shaft along the second tool arm positioning shaft;
wherein the first yz-axis servo motor is configured to move the first tool arm shaft perpendicular to a main axis of the positioning assembly;
wherein the second yz-axis servo motor is configured to move the second tool arm shaft perpendicular to the main axis of the positioning assembly;
a first tool; wherein the first tool is attached to the first tool arm shaft;
a second tool; wherein the second tool is attached to the second tool arm shaft;
a first counter-balance; wherein the first counter-balance is attached to the first tool arm shaft;
a second counter-balance; wherein the second counter-balance is attached to the second tool arm shaft;
a central positioning shaft;
a tail section; wherein the tail section comprises:
a center-of-gravity compensator vertical positioning servo, and
a center-of-gravity compensator horizontal positioning servo;
and
a controller, wherein the controller comprises:
a controller module;
a transceiver;
a target sensor;
a motor controller; and
a battery module.