Patent ID: 8251307
Filing Date: 2012-08-28
Classification: B64C,B64D

Abstract:
1. An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) comprising: at least one ducted fan; avionics; a manipulator arm comprising a plurality of moveable portions moveably attached to the UAV, wherein the manipulator arm is configured to extend away from the at least one ducted fan; manipulator arm controls configured to control movement of the manipulator arm; a positioning grasp, wherein the positioning grasp comprises a positioning grasp arm and a positioning clasp attached to the positioning grasp arm, wherein the positioning clasp is movable in relation to the UAV, and wherein the positioning clasp is configured to exert a clamping force on an object within reach of the positioning clasp; and a stability control system comprising at least one torque sensor located on at least one of the manipulator arm or the positioning grasp, wherein, in response to a torque sensed by the at least one torque sensor, the stability control system is configured to send an instruction to the avionics to compensate for the torque.