Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a system for enabling an autonomous transportation means to reinstall a new battery and other payload, by removing a battery and the other payload to be replaced.SOLUTION: A base station for transportation means 800 includes: a platform in which a transportation means may be positioned; a first battery bay 820 positioned on a first side of the platform; a battery replacement assembly for replacing a battery to be replaced with a new battery by removing the battery to be replaced from the transportation means; and a power source 870 adapted so as to supply electric power to the transportation means while the transportation means is positioned on the platform.
Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a system for launching and capturing a vertical take-off and landing vehicle (VTOL). SOLUTION: A VTOL vehicle 101 comprises a thruster 104 and a duct 106 structured to direct air flow generated by the thruster, and this system 102 includes a capture plate 120 and an extension 122. The capture plate is structured to alter the air flow and generate the force for attracting the duct to the capture plate. The extension is coupled to the capture plate, and is structured to, at least, facilitate holding the VTOL vehicle against the capture plate. COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT
Abstract:
Disclosed are transportable unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) facilities. The facilities comprise a housing for holding a UAV, where the housing defines a landing area for the UAV. The facilities also comprise a structure for reducing wind speed across the landing area.
Abstract:
Aspects of the invention include a system for managing an agriculture plantation comprising a plantation information management server operable to send at least one electronic request to manage the agricultural plantation, the at least one electronic request comprises at least one target within the agricultural plantation; a central processor arranged in data communication with the plantation information management server to receive the electronic request to form a first dataset; the first dataset comprises data related to a size, a location and the at least one target within the agricultural plantation; an unmanned vehicle command and control server arranged in data communication with a plurality of base stations to deploy the plurality of base stations at predetermined locations within the agricultural plantation; each of the plurality of base stations arranged in data communication with at least one unmanned vehicle; the unmanned vehicle command and control server further arranged in data communication with the central processor to receive a second dataset related to at least one operation of the at least one unmanned vehicle; and a block segregator arranged to receive the first dataset as input to generate an output, the output comprises data related to the division of the agricultural plantation into a plurality of smaller areas.
Abstract:
Techniques are disclosed relating lighter-than-air aircraft. Such aircraft may be used for various purposes, such as providing network connectivity to areas that would otherwise lack such connectivity. For example, in some embodiments, a lighter-than-air aircraft according to this disclosure may include various types of antennas (directional or non-directional) for communicating with ground-based electronics or with other lighter-than-air aircraft.
Abstract:
Systems, apparatuses and methods for landing an unmanned aircraft on a mobile structure are presented. Sensors on the aircraft identify a predetermined landing area on a mobile structure. The aircraft monitors the sensor data to maintain its position hovering over the landing area. The aircraft estimates a future attitude of the surface of the landing area and determines a landing time that corresponds to a desired attitude of the surface of the landing area. The unmanned aircraft executes a landing maneuver to bring the aircraft into contact with the surface of the landing area at the determined landing time.
Abstract:
An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) system provides for UAV deployment and remote, unattended operation with reduced logistics requirements. The system includes a launcher that can include one or more containers, or hangars, configured to house vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) UAVs. The system can further include a VTOL UAV orientation and charging module configured to mechanically position a UAV within a container and facilitate electrical mating and charging of a battery in the UAV. These operations, and others, can be performed by remote command that can initiate a series of pre-programmed steps. The UAV system can further include a power generation and storage subsystem, a security subsystem, a command and control subsystem and a communications subsystem. Command, control and communications can be provided between a remote station and the UAV.
Abstract:
An asymmetric aircraft (1) and an aircraft (1) that can operate from small ships (8) and be stored in high density with three aircraft or more in one helicopter hangar (107) without needing a landing gear or wing fold. These aircraft slide into and out of the hangar on dollies (90) like circuit boards in a computer and are launched and recovered using a large towed parafoil (6).