US 12,110,137 B2
Plural relay sensor method of delivery
Michael Anderson, Colorado Springs, CO (US); Grant Appel, O'Fallon, IL (US); Nathaniel Bowen, Columbus, MS (US); Hugh Briggs, Colorado Springs, CO (US); Spencer Flint, Seattle, WA (US); Seth Konig, Biloxi, MS (US); and Erin Leslie, Oklahoma City, OK (US)
Assigned to United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Air Force, Wright-Patterson AFB, OH (US)
Filed by Government of the United States, as represented by the Secretary of the Air Force, Wright-Patterson AFB, OH (US)
Filed on Aug. 26, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/822,481.
Application 17/822,481 is a continuation in part of application No. 17/656,175, filed on Mar. 23, 2022, granted, now 11,838,094.
Application 17/822,481 is a continuation in part of application No. 17/655,853, filed on Mar. 22, 2022, granted, now 11,995,996.
Application 17/822,481 is a continuation in part of application No. 17/667,824, filed on Feb. 9, 2022.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/298,489, filed on Jan. 11, 2022.
Prior Publication US 2023/0271731 A1, Aug. 31, 2023
Int. Cl. B64U 10/00 (2023.01); B60P 1/10 (2006.01); B60P 1/38 (2006.01); B64C 39/02 (2023.01); G05D 1/00 (2024.01); B64U 101/60 (2023.01)
CPC B64U 10/00 (2023.01) [B60P 1/38 (2013.01); G05D 1/101 (2013.01); B64U 2101/60 (2023.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method of establishing a system for gathering surveillance data in a hostile environment, said method comprising the steps of:
a. providing an operably movable tractor for ground hauling a trailer, said trailer having a floor pan for supporting a relay sensor dispensing mechanism and a platform disposed thereabove, said platform having a hole for dispensing relay sensors therethrough, said relay sensor dispensing mechanism comprising an elevator for holding a stockpile of relay sensors, said elevator comprising a pair of co-acting belts defining a chute therebetween, said belts extending between an actuatable driven pulley and a return pulley vertically spaced therefrom;
b. disposing at least one relay sensor in said chute, said relay sensor having a top surface and a bottom surface opposed thereto;
c. maneuvering said tractor to a desired location within the hostile environment;
d. activating said elevator to dispense a relay sensor to an elevation whereby said top surface is disposed at an elevation at or above said platform;
e. retrieving said relay sensor from said elevator with a drone, said drone and said tractor being independently maneuverable and
f. depositing said relay sensor within said hostile environment using said drone.