Abstract:
The self-sustaining drone aircraft freight and observation system (5) comprises a fleet of jet-powered drone aircraft (10) designed to carry freight (12) only. The drones (10) operate from a separate airfield in outlying areas to decrease land costs and to avoid disturbing residential and business areas. Navigation is automated using guidance from GPS satellites (16), and the aircraft (10) can be assisted by a hydraulic catapult (13) during takeoff to reduce the fuel payload. The observation component (18) includes sensors that can observe weather conditions and emergency signals from boats, ships and other sources. The system (5) may include a large-scale energy production center and multi-acre vegetable, herb and flower production center (26). The energy production center includes solar panels (30), fuel cells (38), and batteries (44). Thus, the system (5) does not need to be connected to the public utility electrical grid.
Abstract:
A guided fire-retardant-containing bomb comprises a container with retractable wings, tail and elevators having the form factor of a conventional release vehicle, where the control surfaces are coupled via a controller to a GPS with inertial guidance control and an ability to receive external instructions, and a charge core to disintegrate and disperse the fire retardant or water.
Abstract:
This disclosure describes an aerial vehicle, such as an unmanned aerial vehicle (“UAV”), which includes a plurality of maneuverability propulsion mechanisms that enable the aerial vehicle to move in any of the six degrees of freedom (surge, sway, heave, pitch, yaw, and roll). The aerial vehicle may also include a lifting propulsion mechanism that operates to generate a force sufficient to maintain the aerial vehicle at an altitude.
Abstract:
A method for determining position of a target includes determining at least two measurement points of the target, obtaining vector data of at least two direction vectors based on an imaging position of the target on an imaging system and parameter data of the imaging system, and determining a distance between the target and the imaging system according to the vector data and a current vertical height of the imaging system. Each of the at least two direction vectors is a vector from the imaging system to a corresponding one of the at least two measurement points.
Abstract:
A system comprising an aerial vehicle or an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) (100,400,1000,1500) configured to control pitch, roll, and/or yaw via airfoils (141,142,1345,1346) having resiliently mounted trailing edges opposed by fuselage-house deflecting actuator horns (621,622). Embodiments include one or more rudder elements (1045,1046,1145,1146,1245,1345,1346,1445,1446,1545,1546) which may be rotatably attached and actuated by an effector member (1049,1149,1249,1349) disposed within the fuselage housing (1001) and extendible in part to engage the one or more rudder elements.
Abstract:
A site management system includes an unmanned airplane (13) being switchable between an airplane mode for high speed flight and a VTOL mode for low speed flight, a working vehicle (12) working in a civil construction site (CS), a shape detection sensor (44) provided in the unmanned airplane (13) to detect a shape of the civil construction site (CS), and an external control apparatus (11) that controls flight of the unmanned airplane (13), driving of the working vehicle (12), and driving of the shape detection sensor (44). The external control apparatus (11) moves the unmanned airplane (12) to an observation area (Ai) by performing the high speed flight. Further, the external control apparatus (11) detects a shape of the observation area by driving the shape detection sensor (44) while performing the high speed flight or by driving the shape detection sensor (44) while performing low speed flight by switching from the airplane mode to the VTOL mode.
Abstract:
Systems and methods for UAV safety are provided. An authentication system may be used to confirm UAV and/or user identity and provide secured communications between users and UAVs. The UAVs may operate in accordance with a set of flight regulations. The set of flight regulations may be associated with a geo-fencing device in the vicinity of the UAV.
Abstract:
Systems and methods for UAV safety are provided. An authentication system may be used to confirm UAV and/or user identity and provide secured communications between users and UAVs. The UAVs may operate in accordance with a set of flight regulations. The set of flight regulations may be associated with a geo-fencing device in the vicinity of the UAV.