Patent ID: 8366054
Filing Date: 2013-02-05
Classification: B64C,F41F,F41G,F42B,G05D

Abstract:
1. An unmanned aerial vehicle comprising: a body defining a longitudinal axis; a first wing extending laterally in a first direction from the body; a second wing extending laterally in a second direction from the body, the second direction being opposite the first direction; a first flight control surface supported by the body and configured to control pitch of the vehicle; a first actuator operably coupled to and configured to pivot the first flight control surface; a second flight control surface supported by the body and configured to control yaw of the vehicle; a second actuator operably coupled to and configured to pivot the second flight control surface; a controller including a flight control system in electrical communication with the first actuator and the second actuator; a propulsion device operably coupled to the body; an acquisition sensor operably coupled to the body and in electrical communication with the controller, the acquisition sensor including a receiver directed downwardly from the body and configured to identify a target; a trigger sensor operably coupled to the body and in electrical communication with the controller, the trigger sensor including a receiver configured to detect proximity to a target wherein the trigger sensor includes a light emitting diode and a receiver configured to receive light from the light emitting diode and in electrical communication with the controller; a responder operably coupled to the body and in electrical communication with the controller; and the controller operating in a search mode of operation where the receiver of the acquisition sensor searches for a target and causes the first actuator and the second actuator to direct the vehicle in a downward spiral flight path, a terminal mode of operation where the acquisition sensor detects the target and causes the first actuator and the second actuator to direct the vehicle toward the target, and an activation mode of operation where the trigger sensor detects the target within a predetermined distance to the vehicle and the controller activates the responder.