FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure is directed generally to lifting mechanisms, specifically to lifting mechanisms arranged to engage with a vehicle.

BACKGROUND

Luminaires for street lamps and other lighting fixtures are typically mounted atop a pole or post making it difficult to install, replace, or maintain luminaires after the pole or post is mounted upright.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure is related to systems and methods for lifting, installation, removal, and/or servicing of a luminaire or lamp utilizing an electro-permanent magnet assembly arranged between a vehicle, for example an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), and the luminaire or lamp where the electro-permanent magnet assembly allows for magnetic coupling between the UAV and the luminaire.

In an aspect a system for lifting a luminaire is provided, the system including an a vehicle including a body, the body including a first controller arranged to generate an electrical current, an electro-permanent magnet assembly, and, the luminaire, the luminaire including a first surface, the first surface having an engagement interface arranged to engage with the electro-permanent magnet assembly and disengage with the electro-permanent magnet assembly when the electro-permanent magnet assembly receives the electrical current from the first controller.

In an aspect, the first controller is arranged to send the electrical current in response to receiving a communication signal from a remote device.

In an aspect, wherein the electro-permanent magnet assembly includes a first permanent magnet having a first magnetic field in a first direction and a first conductive coil arranged about the first permanent magnet, the first conductive coil arranged to generate a second magnetic field in a second direction opposite the first direction when the vehicle receives the electrical current from the first controller. In an aspect, the electro-permanent magnet assembly further includes a second permanent magnet arranged to create a third magnetic field in the first direction.

In an aspect, the electro-permanent magnet assembly further comprises a soft magnetic core arranged about the first permanent magnet and/or the second permanent magnet.

In an aspect, the body of the vehicle further comprises a first sensor arranged to detect a magnitude of the first magnetic field between the electro-permanent magnet assembly and the luminaire.

In an aspect, the first sensor is a Hall-Effect sensor or a magnetoresistive (MR) sensor.

In an aspect, the body of the vehicle further includes a pressure sensor arranged to measure a first pressure between the body of the vehicle or a lifting device connected to the body of the vehicle and the luminaire.

In an aspect, the body of the vehicle further includes an optical sensor arranged to measure a first distance between the body of the vehicle or a lifting device connected to the body of the vehicle and the luminaire.

In an aspect, the body of the vehicle further includes a primary guide element proximate the first engagement interface.

In an aspect, a method of lifting a luminaire is provided, the method including: driving a vehicle having a body to a first position proximate to the luminaire; magnetically coupling an electro-permanent magnet assembly connected to the body of the vehicle with the luminaire when the vehicle is in the first position; driving the vehicle to a second position while magnetically coupled to the luminaire; generating, via a first controller of the vehicle, an electrical current arranged to decouple the electro-permanent magnet assembly from the luminaire.

In an aspect, a remote device is provided, the remote device arranged to drive the UAV to the first position or the second position and the remote device arranged to generate a communication signal, wherein the first controller of the vehicle is arranged to generate the electrical current in response to receiving the communication signal.

In an aspect, the electro-permanent magnet assembly includes a first permanent magnet having a first magnetic field in a first direction and a first conductive coil arranged about the first permanent magnet, the first conductive coil arranged to generate a second magnetic field in a second direction opposite the first direction when the vehicle receives the electrical current from the first controller. In an aspect, the electro-permanent magnet assembly further includes a second permanent magnet arranged to create a third magnetic field in the first direction.

In an aspect, the method further includes: detecting, via a first sensor arranged on the body of the vehicle, a magnitude of the first magnetic field between the electro-permanent magnet assembly and the luminaire.

These and other aspects of the various embodiments will be apparent from and elucidated with reference to the embodiment(s) described hereinafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings, like reference characters generally refer to the same parts throughout the different views. Also, the drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead generally being placed upon illustrating the principles of the various embodiments.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a lifting system according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 2A is a detail view of an engagement plate of a luminaire according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 2B is a schematic representation of an electro-permanent magnet assembly according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 3A is a schematic representation of a lifting system having a lifting device according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 3B is a schematic representation of a lifting system having a lifting device according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 4A is a schematic representation of the electronic components of a remote device according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 4B is a schematic representation of the electronic components of a vehicle according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 5A is a schematic representation of an electro-permanent magnet assembly according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 5B is a schematic representation of an electro-permanent magnet assembly according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 is a schematic circuit diagram comprising components of a lifting system according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 7 is a flow chart illustrating the steps of a method according to the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

The present disclosure is related to systems and methods for lifting, installation, removal, and/or servicing of a luminaire or lamp utilizing an electro-permanent magnet assembly arranged between a vehicle, for example a UAV and the luminaire or lamp where the electro-permanent magnet assembly allows for magnetic coupling between the UAV and the luminaire.

The following description should be read in view of FIGS. 1-4B. FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of lifting system 100 according to the present disclosure. Lifting system 100 generally includes vehicle 101, luminaire 102, post 104, remote device 106, and lifting device 108 (shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B).Although illustrated throughout the present disclosure as an unmanned aerial vehicle, i.e., UAV 102, vehicle 101 is intended to be a unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) 110, a manned aerial vehicle, or a manned or unmanned terrestrial vehicle, e.g., a crane or other robotize or motorize vehicle capable of lifting the weight of luminaire 102. Luminaire 102 is intended to be a lighting fixture or housing containing one or more light emitting devices, e.g., filament light bulbs, florescent light bulbs, halogen light bulbs, Light-Emitting Diodes (LEDs), or any other light source intended for private or commercial use. Although UAV 110 is illustrated and described as capable of engaging with luminaire 102, it should be appreciated that UAV 110 could utilize the magnetic functions discussed below to couple with other devices, i.e., devices other than light emitting devices. For example, UAV 110 may be arranged to magnetically couple to a sensor or sensor housing of, e.g., Zhaga-based sensors or NEMA sensors, or may be arranged to couple to other outdoor devices, e.g., a surveillance camera. Luminaire 102 has a first surface 112 which contains engagement plate 114 and, optionally, a secondary guide element (not shown) to be used with primary guide element on UAV 110 as will be discussed below. First surface 112 is intended to be substantially planar; however it should be appreciated that first surface 112 of luminaire 102 can take a plurality of shapes including round, rounded, oval, ridged, or any other shape capable of housing the one or more light sources discussed above. Engagement plate 114 is fixedly secured to first surface 112; however it should be appreciated that engagement plate 114 can be integrally formed within luminaire 102 and within or beneath first surface 112 of luminaire 102. In one example, engagement plate 114 is made of a ferrous metal material, i.e., a material that has a magnetic response, i.e., reacts to a magnetic field; however, it should be appreciated that only a portion of engagement plate 114 needs to be magnetic. Furthermore, it should be appreciated that any portion of luminaire 102 may be made of ferrous metal material, i.e., any portion of first surface 112. If a portion of first surface 112 is made from a ferrous metal material, electro-permanent magnet assembly 130 (discussed below) may couple directly to first surface 112 of luminaire 102.

Additionally, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3A-3B, it should be appreciated that luminaire 102 can include a vertical post component arranged to engage with post 104 as discussed below, and that the vertical post component can also be made of a ferrous metal or magnetic material. FIG. 2A is a detail view of first surface 112 having engagement plate 114 arranged thereon. FIG. 2B is a schematic representation of electro-permanent magnet assembly 130 which will be discussed below.

Lifting system 100 further includes post 104. Post 104 is intended to be a street lamp or lamp post having at least a first end capable of engaging with luminaire 102. This engagement between post 104 and luminaire 102 can be made in a number of ways, e.g., a male and female threaded arrangement between the post 104 and a portion of luminaire 102, magnetic coupling or any other mechanical coupling. Post 104 is arranged vertically, i.e., along a first axis A1 arranged orthogonal to the surface of the ground within which the post is secured and a user may stand on when operating lifting system 100. Post 104 provides support and an electrical power source, e.g., from electrical mains, to the one or more light emitting devices of luminaire 102 such that when mounted to post 104, luminaire 102 emits a light to the surrounding area.

As discussed above, and illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 4A, lifting system 100 includes remote device 106, a lifting device 108, and a UAV 110. Remote device 106 includes a first controller 118 arranged to send and receive wired or wireless signals to UAV 110 as will be discussed below. First controller includes first processor 120 and first memory 122 arranged to execute and store, respectively, a first set of non-transitory computer readable instructions 124 to, e.g., perform the steps of the method 200 described below. It should be appreciated that, although not shown, remote device 106 may include a power source, e.g., a battery, arranged to provide electrical power to the various components of remote device 106 as discussed herein. The components of first controller 118, discussed above, are arranged to be in electrical contact and communication with first antenna 126.

First antenna 126 is arranged to send and receive electrical currents (146) and communication signals (144, discussed below) and translate those signals into, e.g., wireless communications over a wireless communication protocol. In one example, the wireless communications are made over radio frequency communication protocols known in the art; however, it should be appreciated that any other form of wireless or wired protocols can be utilized, e.g., DSM, DSM2, DSMX, FHSS, ACCESS, Bluetooth Classic protocols, Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) protocols, ZigBee protocols, Wi-Fi (IEEE 802.11) protocols, or any other protocol for establishing and maintaining a wireless connection between remote device 106 and UAV 110

Lifting system 100 also includes UAV 110. UAV 110 is a device capable of sustained, unmanned flight. UAV 110 is intended to be a motorized, remote controlled, flying vehicle, for example, a drone, having enough lift force orthogonal to the surface of the ground in which post 104 is installed, to lift the combined weight of lifting mechanism 108 (discussed below) and luminaire 102. UAV 110 includes body 128 which can include a second surface. In one example, the second surface is a downward facing surface, i.e., facing a first direction DR1, of body 128 of UAV 110 and can include electro-permanent magnet assembly 130 (discussed below) and primary guide element 132 (shown in FIG. 3A). Primary guide element 132 is intended to be a cylindrical projection, extending in second direction DR2 from body 128 of UAV 110, having a diameter that is larger than, for example, the diameter of secondary guide element 116 of luminaire 102 discussed above. Primary guide element 132 can take the shape of a cylindrical recess extending within a portion lifting device 108 or UAV 110 in the second direction DR2, the cylindrical recess having a frustoconical inner circumferential surface which tapers in the second direction DR2 from a first diameter to a second diameter where the first diameter is larger than the second diameter. Additionally, primary guide element 132 intended to be selected from a ferrous metal material, i.e., able to interact or respond to a magnetic field. In another example, the second surface is arranged to engage with a lifting device, i.e., lifting device 108 as illustrated in FIGS. 3A and 3B. In the example where the second surface is arranged to engage with lifting device 108, lifting device 108 may include primary guide element 132 as discussed below.

As illustrated in FIG. 4B, body 128 of UAV 110 can further include a second controller 134. Second controller 134 can include second processor 136 and second memory 138 arranged to execute and store, respectively, a second set of non-transitory computer readable instructions 140 to, e.g., execute the steps of method 200 discussed below. It should also be appreciated that, body 128 of UAV 110 can further include a power source, e.g., a battery B ( shown in FIG. 6) or other power source arranged to electrically power the components discussed herein. Body 128 of UAV 110 further includes second antenna 142. The components of second controller 134, discussed above, are arranged to be in electrical contact and communication with second antenna 142. Second antenna 142 is arranged to send and receive electrical currents and communication signals and translate those signals into, e.g., wireless communications over a wireless communication protocol. In one example, the wireless communications are made over radio frequency communication protocols known in the art; however, it should be appreciated that any other form of wireless or wired protocols can be utilized, e.g., Bluetooth Classic protocols, Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) protocols, ZigBee protocols, Wi-Fi (IEEE 802.11) protocols, or any other protocol for establishing and maintaining a wireless connection between remote device 106 and UAV 110. For example, as will be discussed below in detail, first controller 118, via first antenna 126 may send a first communication signal 144 to second controller 134, received via second antenna 142, to trigger or initiate the sending of electrical current 146 to electro-permanent magnet assembly 130.

FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate examples of lifting device 108. Lifting device 108 is intended to be an intermediary device fixedly secured to UAV that can magnetically engage with engagement plate 114 of luminaire 102. As illustrated in FIG. 3 A, lifting device 108 may include several components, i.e., a first engagement component 148 arranged to secure lifting device 108 to the second surface of body 128 of UAV 110, a second engagement component 150 arranged to include electro-permanent magnet assembly 130, a first hinge 152 arranged between the first engagement component 148 and the second engagement component 150 to allow for stabilized flight while carrying luminaire 102, and a plurality of support legs 153, or landing gear, fixedly secured to the second component and arranged to contact and stabilize luminaire 102. It should be appreciated that at least one leg of plurality of support legs 153 can include a contact pressure sensor PRS arranged to determine whether the at least one leg has made contact with first surface 112 of luminaire 102. Although not illustrated the remote device 106 may be arranged in communication with a haptic feedback sensor, or a plurality of haptic feedback sensors arranged to simulate, using various forces, vibration and motion, the sensation of touch for the user while using the remote device 106 to, for example, control UAV 110. As illustrated in FIG. 3B, lifting device 108 may alternatively include first engagement component 148 arranged to secure lifting device 108 to the second surface of body 128 of UAV 110, second engagement component 150 arranged to secure to first surface 112 of luminaire 102 and or the vertical post component of luminaire 102, a first arm component 154, a second arm component 156, first hinge 152 arranged between the first engagement component 148 and the first arm component 154, a second hinge 158 arranged between the first arm component 154 and the second arm component 156, and a third hinge 160 arranged between the second arm component 156 and the second engagement component 150. First hinge 152, second hinge 158, and third hinge 160 are arranged to allow each respective component to pivot or rotate with respect to each other and form a stabilized arrangement to evenly distribute the weight and force of luminaire 102 during sustained flight of UAV 110. Second component 150 may include a plurality of fork-like guide elements arranged to align luminaire 102 with electro permanent magnet assembly 130 and support the luminare along first axis Al. As illustrated it should be appreciated that second engagement component 150 can further include a plurality of legs 153, or landing gear, fixedly secured to the second component and arranged to allow UAV 110 to land while still engaged with luminare 102. It should be appreciated that at least one leg of plurality of support legs 153 can include a contact pressure sensor PRS arranged to determine whether the at least one leg has made contact with first surface 112 of luminaire 102. In the illustrated arrangement shown in FIG. 3B, this arrangement allows for UAV 110 to be positioned vertically above UAV 110 while lifting device 108 magnetically secures luminaire 102 to UAV 110 for installation. In either example lifting device 108, an optical sensor OPS may be provided in addition to, or in place of, pressure sensor PRS. As illustrated in FIG. 3 A, optical sensor OPS may be arranged to measure a first distance D1 between UAV 110 and first surface 112 of luminaire 102. When first distance D1 reaches a predefined distance (which could be dependent whether electro-permanent magnet assembly 130, discussed below, is secured directly to UAV 110 or secured to lifting device 108), second controller 134 can receive an indication that UAV 110 is in a position to magnetically couple with luminaire 102.

As discussed above and illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2B, and 3A-3B, electro permanent magnet assembly 130 may be fixedly secured to the second surface of body 128 of UAV 110, or secured to or fixedly secured within second engagement component 150 of lifting device 108. In one example, illustrated in FIG. 5 A, electro-permanent magnet assembly 130 may include first permanent magnet 162, first conductive coil 164 and soft magnetic core 166. First permanent magnet 162 is arranged to produce a sustaining magnetic field, i.e., first magnetic field 168 in a first direction DR1, where first direction DR1 is downward, i.e., directed toward the surface of the ground within which post 104 is secured and parallel with axis Al. In this example arrangement, first permanent magnet 162 has first magnetic field 168 in first direction DR1 which allow for a magnetic coupling to occur between electro-permanent magnetic assembly 130 and engagement plate 114 of luminaire 102 without the need for a constant electrical current to generate first magnetic field 168.

First conductive coil 164 is arranged about, i.e., coiled about the exterior surface of first permanent magnet 162 and arranged to, in response to electrical current 146 generated by second controller 134 of UAV 110, generate a second magnetic field 170 in the opposite direction of first magnetic field 168, i.e., in second direction DR2, where second direction DR2 is upward, i.e., directed away from the surface of the ground within which post 104 is secured and parallel with axis Al. The two opposing magnetic fields momentarily negate or cancel each other, allowing for the magnetic decoupling of electro-permanent magnetic assembly 130 and engagement plate 114 of luminaire 102. Electro-permanent magnet assembly 130 further includes soft magnetic core 166 arranged about first permanent magnet 162 and first conductive coil 164. Soft magnetic core 166 is intended to be a piece of magnetic material with high magnetic permeability used to confine, direct, and potentially strengthen the magnetic fields produced by first permanent magnet 162 and first magnetic coil 164. In an example, soft magnetic core 166 is selected from soft iron, laminated silicon steel, laminated (i.e., stacked) iron sheets, powdered ferrous metals or any other material suitable to confine and/or strengthen first magnetic field 168 and second magnetic field 170.

In one example, illustrated in FIG. 5B, electro-permanent magnet assembly 130 may include first permanent magnet 162, first conductive coil 164, soft magnetic core 166, and second permanent magnet 172. Similar to the arrangement discussed above, first permanent magnet 162 is arranged to create a first magnetic field 168 in first direction DR1, first conductive coil 164 is arrange about first permanent magnet 162 and arranged to receive electrical current 146 from second controller 134. Second permanent magnet 172 is also arranged to generate a third magnetic field 174 in first direction DR1, i.e., in parallel with first magnetic field 168. In this arrangement second controller 134 of UAV 110 may be arranged to generate a plurality of electrical current pulses through first conductive coil 164. In response to the plurality of sequential current pulses through conductive coil 164 arranged about first permanent magnet 162, the magnetic polarity of first permanent magnet 162 may reverse, such that the magnetic polarity of first permanent magnet 162 and the magnetic polarity of second permanent magnet 172 may be in opposing directions and negate each other. This negation of an overall magnetic field allows for the decoupling of electro permanent magnet assembly 130 from engagement plate 114 of UAV 110. Similarly, soft magnetic core 166 is also arranged about first permanent magnet 162, first conductive coil 164, and second permanent magnet 172, such that it confines, directs, and/or strengthens the magnetic fields produced by first permanent magnet 162, second permanent magnet 172 and first conductive coil 164. It should be appreciated that in any of the foregoing examples of electro permanent magnet assembly 130, electro-permanent magnet assembly 130 may further include a sensor, i.e., first sensor 176 arranged to measure the magnitude of the overall magnetic attraction between electro-permanent magnet assembly 130 and, for example, engagement plate 114 of UAV. It should also be appreciated that first sensor 176 may be arranged to measure the overall quality of the magnetic attraction between electro-permanent magnet assembly 130 and the vertical post member of luminaire 102 discussed above. First sensor 176 is intended to be a Hall-Effect sensor, a magnetoresistive (MR) sensor, or an impedance measurement sensor that measures the impedances of first conductive coil 164 to determine the magnetic reluctance and/or the magnetic resistance of the magnetic flux of magnetic field 168; however it should be appreciated that any sensor capable of measuring the quality or magnitude of a magnetic field between two objects could be utilized. Second controller 134 of UAV 110 may be arranged to recursively or repeatedly run a check, using first sensor 176, to determine the magnitude of the overall magnetic field between electro permanent magnet assembly 130 and luminaire 102, when initially picking up luminaire 102, during flight, and when depositing luminaire 102 atop post 104.

FIG. 6 illustrates a schematic circuit diagram of an example circuit of lifting system 100 as disclosed herein. Schematically, the representative example circuit diagram illustrates remote device 106 sending first communication 144 from first antenna 126 of first controller 118 to second antenna 142 of UAV 110. Upon receipt of communication 144, second controller 134 of UAV 110 is arranged to energize electro-permanent magnet assembly 130. This may be accomplished by the closing of switch S which is electrically connected to second antenna 142 which allows a current to pass from battery B through a DC/DC converter through electro-permanent magnet assembly 130. The DC/DC converter can be used to adjust the voltage input through switch S from battery B to the appropriate level at electro-permanent magnet assembly 130. Additionally, switch S is arranged to open again when no communication signal 144 is received via second antenna 142.

During operation of lifting system 100, a user or operator may utilize remote 106 to drive or otherwise control the motion of UAV 110. It may be desirable to utilize UAV 110 to lift luminaire 102 from a resting position on the ground to a mounted position, i.e., atop or otherwise affixed to post 104. During this lifting operation, it may be desirable to use a stabilizing device, i.e., lifting device 108 (as illustrated in FIGS. 3A-3B). The operator may drive UAV 110 to a first position PI (not shown), i.e., above luminaire 102 in second direction DR2 such that electro-permanent magnet assembly 130 is in close proximity to engagement plate 114. The approach to first position PI (not shown) may be aided by the primary guide element 132 and secondary guide element 116 disposed on UAV 110 or lifting device 108 and first surface 112 of luminaire 102, respectively.

While in the close proximity afforded in first position PI (not shown), first magnetic field 168 produced by first permanent magnet 162 of electro-permanent magnet assembly 130 magnetically attracts engagement plate 114 such that the electro-permanent magnet assembly 130 and the engagement plate 114 of luminaire 102 become magnetically coupled. During this initial coupling, second controller 134 of UAV may check, e.g., via first sensor 176, whether the overall magnetic field between UAV 110 or lifting device 108 and luminaire 102 is sufficiently strong, i.e., above a predefined threshold, such that the operator is reasonably certain that the magnetic coupling described herein may support the total weight of luminaire 102. If first sensor 176 determines that the overall magnetic

field/magnetic coupling between the electro-permanent magnet assembly 130 and luminaire 102 is above the predefined threshold, then the operator may drive/fly UAV 110, now magnetically coupled to luminaire 102, to a second position P2 (shown in FIG. 3 A) proximate post 104 and above post 104 in second direction DR2. In one example, while in the second position P2, the operator may rotationally, mechanically, or magnetically secure luminaire 102 atop post 104, by sending appropriate signals from remote device 106 to UAV 110 via first controller 118 and second controller 134 and their respective antennas, i.e., first antenna 126 and second antenna 142.

Once luminaire 102 is successfully secured atop post 104, a communication signal 144 (shown in FIGS. 1, 4A, 4B, and 6), may be sent from remote device 106 to UAV 110 via first controller 118 and second controller 134 and their respective antennas, i.e., first antenna 126 and second antenna 142. Upon receiving communication signal 144, second controller 134 is arranged to produce and/or generate electrical current 146, creating a current flow through first conductive coil 164. The flowing current through first conductive coil 164, via the laws of electromagnetism, creates and/or generates a second magnetic field 170 in the opposite direction of first magnetic field 168 such that they negate or neutralize each other. This neutralization results in no magnetic attraction between electro-permanent magnet assembly 130 and luminaire 102, effectively decoupling UAV 110 or lifting device 108 from luminaire 102.

In the event that a second permanent magnet 172 having a third magnetic field 174 in direction DR1 is utilized within electro-permanent magnet assembly 130 as discussed above, second controller 134 is arranged such that, in response to receipt of communication 144, second controller 134 is arranged to produce and/or generate a plurality of sequential electrical currents 146, creating a pulsing current flow through first conductive coil 164. The pulsing current flow through first conductive coil 164, reorients or re-magnetizes the magnetic polarity and therefore the direction of direction of first magnetic field 168 such that first magnetic field 168 is in the opposite direction of third magnetic field 174 and negates or neutralizes the overall magnetic field emitted from electro-permanent magnet assembly 130. This neutralization results in no magnetic attraction between electro-permanent magnet assembly 130 and luminaire 102, effectively decoupling UAV 110 or lifting device 108 from luminaire 102.

It should be appreciated that in addition to redundant checks via pressure sensor PRS, optical sensor OPS, or measurements taken by first sensor 176 to determine the sufficient strength of the magnetic fields created by electro-permanent magnet assembly 130, additional redundancies may be utilized to maintain a safe, semi-permanent connection between UAV 110 or lifting device 108 and luminaire 102. For example, a mechanical lock may be provided sequentially with electro-permanent magnet assembly 130 such that, in addition to the magnetic coupling discussed above, the mechanical lock may secure UAV 110 or lifting device 108 with luminaire 102. The mechanical lock may take several forms, e.g., a simple mechanical slide-in component based on rotation of the UAV 110 or lifting device 108, a magneto-mechanical switch such as a Magswitch® which is a rotating bi-stable switchable magnet which rotationally engages a permanent magnet capable of holding approximately 100 kg, or any other mechanical connection capable of securing or providing additional support between UAV 110 or lifting device 108 and luminaire 102.

FIG. 7 illustrates a flow chart of the steps of method 200 according to the present disclosure. Method 200 includes, for example: driving an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) 110 having a body 128 to a first position PI (not shown) proximate to a luminaire 102 (step 202); magnetically coupling an electro-permanent magnet assembly 130 connected to the body 128 of the UAV 110 with the luminaire 102 when the UAV 110 is in the first position PI (step 204); driving the UAV 110 to a second position P2 while magnetically coupled to the luminaire 102 (step 206); generating, via a first controller 134 of the UAV 110, an electrical current (146) arranged to decouple the electro-permanent magnet assembly 130 from the luminaire 102 (step 208). Optionally, method 200 may further include:

detecting, via a first sensor 176 arranged on the body 128 of the UAV 110, a magnitude of a first magnetic field 168 between the electro-permanent magnet assembly 130 and the luminaire 102 (step 210). All definitions, as defined and used herein, should be understood to control over dictionary definitions, definitions in documents incorporated by reference, and/or ordinary meanings of the defined terms.

The indefinite articles“a” and“an,” as used herein in the specification and in the claims, unless clearly indicated to the contrary, should be understood to mean“at least one.”

The phrase“and/or,” as used herein in the specification and in the claims, should be understood to mean“either or both” of the elements so conjoined, i.e., elements that are conjunctively present in some cases and disjunctively present in other cases. Multiple elements listed with“and/or” should be construed in the same fashion, i.e.,“one or more” of the elements so conjoined. Other elements may optionally be present other than the elements specifically identified by the“and/or” clause, whether related or unrelated to those elements specifically identified.

As used herein in the specification and in the claims,“or” should be understood to have the same meaning as“and/or” as defined above. For example, when separating items in a list,“or” or“and/or” shall be interpreted as being inclusive, i.e., the inclusion of at least one, but also including more than one, of a number or list of elements, and, optionally, additional unlisted items. Only terms clearly indicated to the contrary, such as“only one of’ or“exactly one of,” or, when used in the claims,“consisting of,” will refer to the inclusion of exactly one element of a number or list of elements. In general, the term “or” as used herein shall only be interpreted as indicating exclusive alternatives (i.e.“one or the other but not both”) when preceded by terms of exclusivity, such as“either,”“one of,” “only one of,” or“exactly one of.”

As used herein in the specification and in the claims, the phrase“at least one,” in reference to a list of one or more elements, should be understood to mean at least one element selected from any one or more of the elements in the list of elements, but not necessarily including at least one of each and every element specifically listed within the list of elements and not excluding any combinations of elements in the list of elements. This definition also allows that elements may optionally be present other than the elements specifically identified within the list of elements to which the phrase“at least one” refers, whether related or unrelated to those elements specifically identified.

It should also be understood that, unless clearly indicated to the contrary, in any methods claimed herein that include more than one step or act, the order of the steps or acts of the method is not necessarily limited to the order in which the steps or acts of the method are recited.

In the claims, as well as in the specification above, all transitional phrases such as“comprising,”“including,”“carrying,”“having, ”“containing,”“involving,”“holding,” “composed of,” and the like are to be understood to be open-ended, i.e., to mean including but not limited to. Only the transitional phrases“consisting of’ and“consisting essentially of’ shall be closed or semi-closed transitional phrases, respectively.

While several inventive embodiments have been described and illustrated herein, those of ordinary skill in the art will readily envision a variety of other means and/or structures for performing the function and/or obtaining the results and/or one or more of the advantages described herein, and each of such variations and/or modifications is deemed to be within the scope of the inventive embodiments described herein. More generally, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that all parameters, dimensions, materials, and configurations described herein are meant to be exemplary and that the actual parameters, dimensions, materials, and/or configurations will depend upon the specific application or applications for which the inventive teachings is/are used. Those skilled in the art will recognize, or be able to ascertain using no more than routine experimentation, many equivalents to the specific inventive embodiments described herein. It is, therefore, to be understood that the foregoing embodiments are presented by way of example only and that, within the scope of the appended claims and equivalents thereto, inventive embodiments may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described and claimed. Inventive embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to each individual feature, system, article, material, kit, and/or method described herein. In addition, any combination of two or more such features, systems, articles, materials, kits, and/or methods, if such features, systems, articles, materials, kits, and/or methods are not mutually inconsistent, is included within the inventive scope of the present disclosure.