Abstract:
Eine Vorrichtung zum Absetzen von unbemannten Flugkörpern aus einem Luftfahrzeug mit einer Palette (19), auf der zumindest ein Behälter (2, 2') zur Aufnahme eines Flugkörpers (3, 3') vorgesehen ist, wobei der Behälter (2, 2') einen oberen Behälterabschnitt (24) aufweist, der einen Pylon zur hängenden, lösbaren Halterung des Flugkörpers (3, 3') aufweist, ist dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der Behälter (2, 2') einen unteren Behälterabschnitt (20) aufweist, der als Stützbereich für den Flugkörper (3, 3') ausgebildet ist.
Abstract:
Methods and systems for starting propeller driven aircraft and other devices are disclosed. A system in accordance with one embodiment of the invention includes a removable fixture that is coupled to the propeller and has at least one portion exposed to a flowstream to rotate the propeller during engine start-up. The fixture is configured to separate from the propeller after the engine begins to turn over (e.g., after the engine starts and/or rotates above a threshold rate). Accordingly, the system can include a releasable link between the fixture and the propeller.
Abstract:
A system for launching, refuelling and recovering in flight an aircraft (10) such as an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) from a larger carrier aircraft (16) comprising a holder (22) on the carrier aircraft (16) to which the UAV (10) is detachably connectable and an extendable and retractable refuelling device (23, 24) on the carrier aircraft (16) detachably connectable to the UAV (10) whereby to launch the UAV it is disconnected from the holder (22), the refuelling device (23, 24) is extended with the UAV connected thereto to cause the UAV to trail behind the carrier aircraft and the UAV is then disconnected from the refuelling device.
Abstract:
Various measures (for example methods, UAVs, controllers and computer programs) are provided in relation to controlling a UAV. The UAV is caused to provide energy to and receive energy from a given vehicle. The received energy is used to provide power to at least one component of the UAV.
Abstract:
Embodiments of the present invention provide an apparatus comprising a body including a cavity for storing one or more packages, and a conveyor belt disposed above a top surface of the body. The belt is shaped to receive one or more packages, and the belt is controllable to rotate a package placed on the belt either from the top surface to the cavity for storage or from the cavity to the top surface for dispatch. A package comprises at least one of a drone and a payload transported by the drone. The apparatus further comprises a landing mechanism for stabilizing a drone landing on the apparatus.
Abstract:
A device for transporting two or more articles to two or more locations comprising: one or more holding units for carrying the two or more articles one or more orifices for loading and/or delivering the articles a controlling unit for directing the movement and operations of the device a flying attachment for transporting the device through air
Abstract:
In one embodiment, a wing for an unmanned aerial vehicle is described. The unmanned aerial vehicle includes a first body of the wing with a first end proximate a body of the vehicle. A second end is opposite the first end. A first joint is on the first end of the first main body of the wing. The joint rotatably couples the wing to the vehicle. A second joint is on the second end of the vehicle. A second body of the wing is rotatably coupled to the first body via the second joint.
Abstract:
A disposable unmanned aerial glider (UAG) with pre-determined UAG flight capabilities. The UAG comprises a flight module comprising at least one aerodynamic arrangement; and a fuselage module comprising a container configured for storing therein a payload and having structural integrity. The container is pressurized so as to maintain structural integrity thereof at least during flight, so that the UAG flight capabilities are provided only when the container is pressurized.
Abstract:
Stowable and deployable unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), and associated systems and methods are disclosed. A UAV in accordance with a particular embodiment includes a main body, frames carried by the main body, and motors carried by the frames. At least two frames are positioned to move relative to each other between a stowed configuration in which the frames are generally aligned proximate to each other and a deployed configuration different from the stowed configuration. The main body can include a first body portion pivotably connected to a second body portion. In a stowed configuration, the body portions can generally overlap each other. A UAV in accordance with particular embodiments includes a modular electronics unit carried by the UAV and including a camera, a battery, and a vehicle controller. Modular electronics units can be configured to be removably connected to and disconnected from the UAV and other vehicles.
Abstract:
The present disclosure provides various embodiments of a multicopter-assisted launch and retrieval system generally including: (1) a multi-rotor modular multicopter attachable to (and detachable from) a fixed-wing aircraft to facilitate launch of the fixed-wing aircraft into wing-borne flight; (2) a storage and launch system usable to store the modular multicopter and to facilitate launch of the fixed-wing aircraft into wing-borne flight; and (3) an anchor system usable (along with the multicopter and a flexible capture member) to retrieve the fixed-wing aircraft from wing-borne flight.