May 26, 2026

US12638281 - Dual-orientation power and signaling system and method thereof

A guided vehicle that includes a body having a first end, a second end opposite to the first end, a longitudinal axis defined between the first end and the second end, and a payload disposed inside of the body between the first end and the second end. The guided vehicle also includes a guidance kit that is configured to guide the guided vehicle, an adapter that mechanically connects the payload and the guidance kit with one another, and an electrical interconnection system that electrically connects the guidance kit and the payload with one another inside of the adapter. When the payload and the guidance kit are mechanically connected with one another and electrically connected with one another, the payload and the guidance kit are angularly aligned at a same clock position measured relative to the longitudinal axis or angularly displaced at different clock positions measured relative to the longitudinal axis.

Assignee: BAE Systems Information and Electronic Systems Integration Inc.
Inventors: Jacob W. Miska, Gregory S. Notaro, Jason H. Batchelder, Matthew F. Chrobak
Filing date: 2024-01-24

This patent describes a guided vehicle featuring a body with a payload, a guidance kit, and an adapter that connects the two while providing electrical interconnections. The system allows for angular alignment or displacement of the payload and guidance kit relative to the vehicle’s longitudinal axis.

Claim 1

1 . A guided vehicle, comprising: a body having a first end, a second end opposite to the first end, a longitudinal axis defined between the first end and the second end, and a payload disposed inside of the body between the first end and the second end; a guidance kit configured to guide the guided vehicle; and an adapter mechanically connecting the payload and the guidance kit with one another; and an electrical interconnection system electrically connecting the guidance kit and the payload with one another inside of the adapter. a body having a first end, a second end opposite to the first end, a longitudinal axis defined between the first end and the second end, and a payload disposed inside of the body between the first end and the second end; a guidance kit configured to guide the guided vehicle; and an adapter mechanically connecting the payload and the guidance kit with one another; and an electrical interconnection system electrically connecting the guidance kit and the payload with one another inside of the adapter.

Google Patents

https://patents.google.com/patent/US12638281

USPTO PDF

https://image-ppubs.uspto.gov/dirsearch-public/print/downloadPdf/12638281