CPC Definition - Subclass B64U

Last Updated Version: 2023.08
UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLES [UAV]; EQUIPMENT THEREFOR
Definition statement

This place covers:

Aerial vehicles that do not carry a human operator and which are guided autonomously or are remotely operated or both, using various levels of automated functions. The aerial vehicles can be expendable or recoverable and may carry lethal or non-lethal payloads.

References
Informative references

Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:

Toy aircraft; Other flying toys

A63H 27/00

Guided missiles

F42B 15/00

Glossary of terms

In this place, the following terms or expressions are used with the meaning indicated:

VTOL

Vertical Take-Off and Landing

Rotorcrafts
References
Informative references

Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:

Arrangements permitting vertical take-off or landing [VTOL] of aircraft, e.g. using rockets

B64U 70/80

Flying platforms
Definition statement

This place covers:

Aircraft generally without a preferential longitudinal axis, having one or more rotors generating a lifting thrust, wherein the lifting thrust is generally vertical, wherein pitch and roll control is normally provided by differential thrust control or a separate force generated outside the propulsors.

Illustrative example of subject matter classified in this place:

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References
Informative references

Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:

Rotorcraft characterised by having shrouded rotors, e.g. flying platforms

B64C 27/20

Vertical take-off and landing [VTOL] aircraft (flying platforms B64U 10/13; helicopters B64U 10/17)
Definition statement

This place covers:

Vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aerial vehicles, whereby the vehicles can hover, take-off and land vertically.

References
Limiting references

This place does not cover:

Flying platforms

B64U 10/13

Helicopters

B64U 10/17

Tethered aircraft
Definition statement

This place covers:

Unmanned aircraft which are physically linked to a person, the ground or an object at all times while it is flying.

Illustrative example of subject matter classified in this place:

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UAVs characterised by their small size, e.g. micro air vehicles [MAV]
Definition statement

This place covers:

UAVs whose size does not exceed 15 cm.

Glossary of terms

In this place, the following terms or expressions are used with the meaning indicated:

MAV

Micro-Air Vehicle

Monocoque body
Definition statement

This place covers:

UAV bodies formed substantially of unitary or single-piece construction.

Arrangement of on-board electronics, e.g. avionics systems or wiring
References
Informative references

Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:

Supply or distribution of electrical power

B64U 50/30

movable along the UAV body
Definition statement

This place covers:

UAVs wherein the wings are moved to different positions along the body, e.g. by sliding or by detaching and reattaching.

References
Informative references

Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:

In-flight adjustment of the base configuration

B64U 40/20

Rotary wings
References
Informative references

Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:

Compound rotorcraft with rotor blades fixed in flight to act as lifting surfaces

B64C 27/24

Rotors with variable spatial positions relative to the UAV body (foldable or collapsible rotors B64U 30/293)
References
Limiting references

This place does not cover:

Foldable or collapsible rotors

B64U 30/293

Informative references

Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:

In-flight adjustment of the base configuration

B64U 40/20

Helicopter flybars
Definition statement

This place covers:

Devices usually in the form of a bar with a weight or paddle at each end, mounted to the rotor to aid stability.

Rotor guards (ducted or shrouded rotors B64U 30/26; guards used as ground propulsion B64U 60/60)
Definition statement

This place covers:

Devices arranged around the rotors for protecting the rotors from contacting obstacles during flight. The devices may surround the UAV as well.

References
Limiting references

This place does not cover:

Ducted or shrouded rotors

B64U 30/26

Guards used as ground propulsion

B64U 60/60

Informative references

Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:

Rotorcrafts; Rotors peculiar thereto

B64C 27/00

for adjusting control surfaces or rotors
Definition statement

This place covers:

Mechanisms for actuating adjustable control surfaces or for changing the orientation of rotors, or for changing the pitch of rotor blades, while in flight to control the attitude of the aircraft or control position of the aircraft.

References
Informative references

Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:

Controlling flying-control surfaces of aeroplanes and helicopters

B64C 13/00

Controlling rotors of aeroplanes and helicopters

B64C 27/54

for in-flight adjustment of the base configuration
Definition statement

This place covers:

Mechanisms for adjusting the position of wings or rotors, or otherwise moving the centre of gravity relative to the body, while in flight.

In-flight charging (photovoltaics B64U 50/31)
Definition statement

This place covers:

Arrangements for receiving electrical power from an external source while in flight.

References
Limiting references

This place does not cover:

Supply or distribution of electrical power generated by photovoltaics

B64U 50/31

with rolling cages
Definition statement

This place covers:

Rolling cages, i.e. free-rolling frames, that at least partially surround the UAV and are connected thereto by at least one rotary joint. UAVs with rolling cages may be capable of movement in flight and on the ground.

Illustrative example of subject matter classified in this place:

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Movable wings, rotor supports or shrouds acting as ground-engaging elements
Definition statement

This place covers:

Wings, rotor supports or shrouds which may be adjusted in position or orientation to also act as landing gear for the UAV.

Launching from storage containers, e.g. from submarine missile tubes
Definition statement

This place covers:

UAVs which are launched or take flight from a storage position within a storage container.

Illustrative example of subject matter classified in this place:

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Vertical take-off or landing, e.g. using rockets (rotorcrafts B64U 10/10; VTOL aircraft B64U 10/20)
Definition statement

This place covers:

Arrangements to permit VTOL capability for aircraft not otherwise having the capability, e.g. using rockets or parachutes.

References
Limiting references

This place does not cover:

Rotorcrafts

B64U 10/10

VTOL aircraft

B64U 10/20

using parachutes, balloons or the like
References
Informative references

Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:

Balloons per se

B64B 1/40

Parachutes per se

B64D 17/00

using inflatable cushions
References
Informative references

Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:

Emergency apparatus or devices, not otherwise provided for

B64D 25/00

Means for guiding the landing UAV towards the platform, e.g. lighting means
References
Informative references

Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:

Visual or acoustic landing aids

B64F 1/18

Means for guiding the UAV to a specific location on the platform, e.g. platform structures preventing landing off-centre
Definition statement

This place covers:

Means for physically positioning or orienting the UAV on the platform during landing, e.g. using mechanical means.

Illustrative example of subject matter classified in this place:

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References
Informative references

Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:

Visual or acoustic landing aids

B64F 1/18

the UAVs being disassembled
References
Informative references

Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:

Foldable or collapsible UAVs

B64U 20/50

by wearable objects, e.g. garments or helmets
Definition statement

This place covers:

UAVs stored on a person by attaching to apparel, e.g. clothing, or the body itself, e.g. on the wrist.

Illustrative example 1 of subject matter classified in this place:

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Illustrative example 2 of subject matter classified in this place:

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