Unmanned aerial vehicles with multiple configurations

Abstract

An unmanned aerial vehicle includes multiple rotor arms; a rotor disposed at an end of each of the multiple rotor arms; and an adjustment component configured to enable a first rotor arm to move relative to a second rotor arm.

1 . (canceled) 
     
     
         2 . An unmanned aerial vehicle comprising:
 multiple rotor arms;   a rotor disposed at an end of each of the multiple rotor arms; and   an adjustment component configured to enable a first rotor arm to move relative to a second rotor arm, the adjustment component comprising an actuator mechanism detachable from the unmanned aerial vehicle.   
     
     
         3 . The unmanned aerial vehicle of  claim 2 , in which the adjustment component is configured to enable the unmanned aerial vehicle to take on an open configuration or a closed configuration. 
     
     
         4 . The unmanned aerial vehicle of  claim 3 , in which in the closed configuration, the multiple rotor arms are oriented parallel to each other. 
     
     
         5 . The unmanned aerial vehicle of  claim 3 , in which in the open configuration, the multiple rotor arms are extended away from each other. 
     
     
         6 . The unmanned aerial vehicle of  claim 3 , wherein the actuator mechanism is configured to detach from the unmanned aerial vehicle when the unmanned aerial vehicle takes on the open configuration. 
     
     
         7 . The unmanned aerial vehicle of  claim 2 , in which the actuator mechanism is configured to push the first rotor arm away from the second rotor arm. 
     
     
         8 . The unmanned aerial vehicle of  claim 2 , in which the adjustment component further comprises a joint formed in the first rotor arm. 
     
     
         9 . The unmanned aerial vehicle of  claim 2 , in which the adjustment component comprises a pivot point and in which the first rotor arm is configured to pivot around the pivot point. 
     
     
         10 . The unmanned aerial vehicle of  claim 2 , in which the first rotor arm is attached to the adjustment component, and in which the adjustment component comprises a bar configured to slide along the second rotor arm. 
     
     
         11 . An unmanned aerial vehicle comprising:
 multiple rotor arms;   a rotor disposed at an end of each of the multiple rotor arms; and   an adjustment component configured to enable a first rotor arm to move relative to a second rotor arm to enable the unmanned aerial vehicle to take on an open configuration or a closed configuration,   wherein the rotors disposed at the ends of the at least two rotor arms are configured to be activated only when the unmanned aerial vehicle takes on the open configuration.   
     
     
         12 . The unmanned aerial vehicle of  claim 11 , in which in the closed configuration, at least two of the rotor arms are positioned such that the rotors disposed at the ends of the at least two rotor arms do not have sufficient space to rotate propellers attached to the rotors. 
     
     
         13 . The unmanned aerial vehicle of  claim 11 , in which in the closed configuration, the multiple rotor arms are oriented parallel to each other. 
     
     
         14 . The unmanned aerial vehicle of  claim 11 , in which in the open configuration, the multiple rotor arms are extended away from each other. 
     
     
         15 . The unmanned aerial vehicle of  claim 11 , in which in the closed configuration, an angle between adjacent rotor arms is less than 30°. 
     
     
         16 . The unmanned aerial vehicle of  claim 11 , in which in the open configuration, an angle between adjacent rotor arms is at least about 85°. 
     
     
         17 . An unmanned aerial vehicle comprising:
 multiple rotor arms;   a rotor disposed at an end of each of the multiple rotor arms;   an adjustment component configured to enable a first rotor arm to move relative to a second rotor arm to enable the unmanned aerial vehicle to take on an open configuration or a closed configuration; and   a timer configured to measure time after a triggering event,   wherein the rotors disposed at the ends of the at least two rotor arms are configured to be activated at a predetermined time after the triggering event.   
     
     
         18 . The unmanned aerial vehicle of  claim 17 , in which the triggering event is an ejection of the unmanned aerial vehicle from a canister. 
     
     
         19 . The unmanned aerial vehicle of  claim 18 , in which the rotors are configured to be activated between 1-8 minutes after the ejection of the unmanned aerial vehicle from the canister. 
     
     
         20 . The unmanned aerial vehicle of  claim 17 , in which the triggering event is a deployment of a parachute from the unmanned aerial vehicle. 
     
     
         21 . The unmanned aerial vehicle of  20 , in which the rotors are configured to be activated less than 8 seconds after the deployment of the parachute.