Patent ID: 8954206
Filing Date: 2015-02-10
Classification: B64C,G05D,Y02T

Abstract:
1. A method of an unmanned aerial vehicle configured to glide within a geographic region, the unmanned aerial vehicle comprising a generator arranged to be driven by a rotor, the method comprising: defining a maximum altitude threshold for the geographic region, above which the unmanned aerial vehicle is not permitted to be flown; identifying a location of at least one identified updraft within the geographic region; manoeuvring the unmanned aerial vehicle within the identified updraft; and harvesting energy from motion of the unmanned aerial vehicle within the updraft by regenerative braking of the rotor to thereby maintain an altitude at or below the maximum altitude threshold; wherein at least one of the defining, the identifying, and the maneuvering is via a flight management system controlling the unmanned aerial vehicle; and wherein the unmanned aerial vehicle is maneuvered within the identified updraft with a bank angle that controls the altitude of the unmanned aerial vehicle.