System for recharging remotely controlled aerial vehicle, charging station and rechargeable remotely controlled aerial vehicle, and method of use thereof

Abstract

A system including an aerial vehicle having an airframe and a power source onboard the aerial vehicle, wherein the aerial vehicle includes a landing gear structure having a first electrical contact and a second electrical contact, and a charging station having a first electrical contact and a second electrical contact, wherein the aerial vehicle is programmed to dock with the charging station when the power source is in need of recharging, the docking being a mechanical engagement between the first electrical contact and the second electrical contact of the aerial vehicle with the first electrical contact and the second electrical contact of the charging station is provided. A method for continuous surveillance utilizing the aerial vehicles and charging stations is also provided.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A charging station for recharging a power source of a remotely controlled aerial vehicle, the charging station comprising:
 a first electrical contact configured to engage a first skid of the remotely controlled aerial vehicle, the second electrical contact being electrically coupled to an external power source;   a second electrical contact configured to engage a second skid of the remotely controlled aerial vehicle, the second electrical contact being electrically coupled to the external power source;   a first biasing element operably connected to the first electrical contact at a first end of the first biasing element and operably connected to a first surface of the charging station at a second end of the first biasing element, the first surface being located in a first recessed area of the charging station; and   a second biasing element operably connected to the second electrical contact at a first end of the second biasing element and operably connected to a second surface of the charging station at a second end of the second biasing element, the second surface being located in a second recessed area of the charging station that is separate from the first recessed area;   wherein the first biasing element and the second biasing element urge the first electrical contact and the second electrical contact, respectively, in a direction away from the charging station when the first electrical contact and the second electrical contact are mechanically engaged with a landing gear structure of the aerial vehicle to promote contact therebetween.   
     
     
         2 . The charging station of  claim 1 , wherein the charging station communicates with the aerial vehicle when the aerial vehicle transmits a signal that the power source of the aerial vehicle needs to be recharged. 
     
     
         3 . The charging station of  claim 1 , wherein the first electrical contact and the second electrical contact of the charging station are depressible upon impact of the aerial vehicle. 
     
     
         4 . The charging station of  claim 1 , wherein the charging station is portable. 
     
     
         5 . The charging station of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a drive system connected to wheels, wherein the drive system in combination with the wheels is configured to receive a control signal and direct the charging station to a specified location to meet with the remotely controlled aerial vehicle for charging.   
     
     
         6 . The charging station of  claim 1 , wherein the external power source is an electrical grid, and the contact between the first electrical contact and the second electrical contact establishes an electrical connection between the electrical grid and a battery housed by an airframe of the remotely controlled aerial vehicle, when the remotely controlled aerial vehicle docks with the charging station 
     
     
         7 . A method of continuous security surveillance of a community, comprising:
 programming a flight path for an aerial vehicle to fly from a first location to a second location of the community; and   placing a charging station for the aerial vehicle at the first location and the second location, the charging station including: a first electrical contact configured to engage a first skid of the remotely controlled aerial vehicle, the second electrical contact being electrically coupled to an external power source, a second electrical contact configured to engage a second skid of the remotely controlled aerial vehicle, the second electrical contact being electrically coupled to the external power source, a first biasing element operably connected to the first electrical contact at a first end of the first biasing element and operably connected to a first surface of the charging station at a second end of the first biasing element, the first surface being located in a first recessed area of the charging station, a second biasing element operably connected to the second electrical contact at a first end of the second biasing element and operably connected to a second surface of the charging station at a second end of the second biasing element, the second surface being located in a second recessed area of the charging station that is separate from the first recessed area, wherein the first biasing element and the second biasing element urge the first electrical contact and the second electrical contact, respectively, in a direction away from the charging station when the first electrical contact and the second electrical contact are mechanically engaged with a landing gear structure of the aerial vehicle to promote contact therebetween;   wherein the programmed flight path includes stops at the charging station to recharge a power source of the aerial vehicle.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the aerial vehicle is community-owned. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the aerial vehicle includes an airframe, a landing gear structure operably connected to the airframe, the landing gear structure including a first skid and a second skid, wherein the first skid and the second skid each have a recessed area along a bottom portion of the first skid and the second skid, a first electrical contact connected to the first skid by a first biasing element, and a second electrical contact connected to the second skid by a second biasing element; 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the charging station communicates with the aerial vehicle when the aerial vehicle transmits a signal that the power source of the aerial vehicle needs to be recharged. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein if the signal is transmitted by the aerial vehicle, causing the aerial vehicle to continue to the nearest charging station along the programmed flight path for docking with the nearest charging station. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the community is a neighborhood having inhabitants that own the aerial vehicle. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein one or more charging stations may be placed along the programmed flight path at a location other than the first location or other location.