US Patent 10099561 Airborne unmanned aerial vehicle charging

This disclosure describes a power unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) that may generate a current from a conductor of an overhead power line carrying an AC power signal. The power UAV has a receptor that includes a secondary coil. Current is generated by the secondary coil of the receptor from magnetic fields emanating from the overhead power lines while the power UAV is flying. The generated current may be used to fly the power UAV, recharge an energy storage device of the power UAV, or be provided to another UAV. In various implementations, while the power UAV is flying, the power UAV may receive another UAV, recharge the other UAV, and then release the UAV to resume flying. In various implementations, the power UAV may also monitor characteristics of the power delivery system.