公开(公告)号：US20180079530A1

公开(公告)日：2018-03-22

申请号：US15712107

申请日：2017-09-21

Applicant: Zipline International Inc.

Inventor： Keenan Wyrobek

IPC: B64F1/02 ,  B64F1/04 ,  B64C39/02

CPC classification number: B64F1/02 ,  B64C39/024 ,  B64C2201/128 ,  B64C2201/141 ,  B64C2201/146 ,  B64C2201/18 ,  B64C2201/182 ,  B64F1/04

Abstract: An unmanned aircraft system includes an automated recovery system that can recover aircraft in a reliable, economical manner, using a dual-pole and line mechanism.

公开(公告)号：US20180074518A1

公开(公告)日：2018-03-15

申请号：US15698467

申请日：2017-09-07

Applicant: Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.

Inventor： Robert L. Cantrell ,  John P. Thompson ,  David C. Winkle ,  Michael D. Atchley ,  Donald R. High ,  Todd D. Mattingly ,  John J. O'Brien ,  John F. Simon

IPC: G05D1/10 ,  B64C39/02 ,  G05D1/06

CPC classification number: G05D1/101 ,  B64C39/024 ,  B64C2201/18 ,  G05D1/0676 ,  G06Q10/06311 ,  G06Q10/0833 ,  G06Q50/28

Abstract: Systems, apparatuses and methods are provided herein for unmanned flight optimization. A system for unmanned flight optimization comprises a flight system configured to provide locomotion to an unmanned aerial vehicle, a sensor system on the unmanned aerial vehicle, and a control circuit coupled to the flight system and the sensor system. The control circuit being configured to: retrieve a task profile for a task assigned to the unmanned aerial vehicle, detect condition parameters of the unmanned aerial vehicle based on the sensor system, determine whether to station the unmanned aerial vehicle based on the task profile and the condition parameters, and deactivate the flight system of the unmanned aerial vehicle while the unmanned aerial vehicle performs the task.

公开(公告)号：US20180022310A1

公开(公告)日：2018-01-25

申请号：US15469128

申请日：2017-03-24

Applicant: Rhombus Systems Group, Inc.

Inventor： Erlend Olson

IPC: B60R21/36 ,  B64C25/56 ,  B64C39/02 ,  B60R21/0132

CPC classification number: B64D25/00 ,  B60R2021/0093 ,  B60R2021/01325 ,  B64C25/56 ,  B64C39/024 ,  B64C2201/18 ,  B64D2201/00

Abstract: A system for deploying an airbag when an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) has failed or is no longer able to sustain flight, comprising a triggering means which releases compressed air into a bag or bags which are configured to expand around the UAV for the purpose of reducing the deceleration forces of the UAV on impact. UAV's are provided that are configured with a system that includes a triggering mechanism that deploys one or more bags when there is a failure or when flight is no longer sustainable.

公开(公告)号：US09858821B2

公开(公告)日：2018-01-02

申请号：US15054707

申请日：2016-02-26

Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC

Inventor： Brad Alan Ignaczak ,  Cynthia M. Neubecker ,  Adil Nizam Siddiqui

IPC: G06K9/00 ,  G08G1/00 ,  B64C39/02 ,  G05D1/00 ,  G01S19/03 ,  H04N5/232

CPC classification number: G08G1/202 ,  B60W50/00 ,  B64C39/024 ,  B64C2201/12 ,  B64C2201/123 ,  B64C2201/141 ,  B64C2201/18 ,  B64C2201/208 ,  G01S19/03 ,  G05D1/0027 ,  G05D1/102 ,  G06K9/00288 ,  G06K9/00369 ,  G06K9/0063 ,  G06K9/6288 ,  G08G1/005 ,  G08G1/205 ,  H04L67/00 ,  H04N5/232 ,  H04N5/23219 ,  H04W4/02 ,  H04W4/046 ,  H04W4/80

Abstract: A system of one or more computers configured to perform particular operations or actions by virtue of having software, firmware, hardware, or a combination of them installed on the system that in operation causes or cause the system to perform the actions. One general aspect includes a first computer having a processor and a memory, the memory storing instructions executable by the processor such that the first computer is programmed to send parameters describing a target passenger to a mobile drone. The system instructs said drone to circumnavigate an area while searching said area for the target passenger with an image capturing device. The system receives communications from the drone and confirms a match to the target passenger and instructs the drone to guide the target passenger to a destination.

公开(公告)号：US20170341769A1

公开(公告)日：2017-11-30

申请号：US15606201

申请日：2017-05-26

Applicant: Neoex Systems, Inc.

Inventor： Mark Steven Haberbusch ,  Philip Travis Putman

IPC: B64D39/06 ,  F17C5/00

CPC classification number: B64D39/06 ,  B64C39/024 ,  B64C2201/063 ,  B64C2201/16 ,  B64C2201/18 ,  B64D37/14 ,  B64D2041/005 ,  B64F1/28 ,  F17C5/007 ,  F17C5/02 ,  F17C2205/0355 ,  F17C2205/037 ,  F17C2221/012 ,  F17C2223/0161 ,  F17C2223/033 ,  F17C2225/0161 ,  F17C2225/033 ,  F17C2227/0107 ,  F17C2227/0135 ,  F17C2227/044 ,  F17C2260/032 ,  F17C2265/065 ,  F17C2270/0189

Abstract: A system and method for the transfer of cryogenic fluid fuel includes a nozzle positionable with respect to fuel tank inlet, e.g., of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), a seal to seal the area where the nozzle and inlet are connected, a collapsible and expandable bellows providing an isolation volume where the fluid is transferred from the nozzle into the inlet; a vacuum is provided in the volume to avoid accumulation of fuel or other species in the volume.

公开(公告)号：US09809305B2

公开(公告)日：2017-11-07

申请号：US14635743

申请日：2015-03-02

Applicant: Amazon Technologies, Inc.

Inventor： Daniel Buchmueller ,  Scott A. Green ,  Atishkumar Kalyan ,  Gur Kimchi

IPC: B64C39/02 ,  G01C21/34 ,  G06Q10/04 ,  G06Q50/28 ,  G06Q50/30 ,  G08G5/00 ,  G08G5/02

CPC classification number: B64C39/024 ,  B64C2201/128 ,  B64C2201/14 ,  B64C2201/145 ,  B64C2201/165 ,  B64C2201/18 ,  B64C2201/20 ,  B64C2201/208 ,  G01C21/3423 ,  G01C21/343 ,  G06Q10/047 ,  G06Q10/083 ,  G06Q50/28 ,  G06Q50/30 ,  G08G5/0013 ,  G08G5/0039 ,  G08G5/0056 ,  G08G5/0065 ,  G08G5/0069 ,  G08G5/025

Abstract: Unmanned aerial vehicles (“UAVs”) which fly to destinations (e.g., for delivering items) may land on transportation vehicles (e.g., delivery trucks, etc.) for temporary transport. An agreement with the owner of the transportation vehicles (e.g., a shipping carrier) may be made for obtaining consent and determining compensation for landings, and the associated transportation vehicles that are available for landings may be identified by markers on the roof or other identification techniques. The routes of the transportation vehicles may be known and utilized to determine locations where UAVs will land on and take off from the transportation vehicles, and in cases of emergencies (e.g., due to low batteries, mechanical issues, etc.) the UAVs may land on the transportation vehicles for later retrieval.

公开(公告)号：US20170313422A1

公开(公告)日：2017-11-02

申请号：US15582168

申请日：2017-04-28

Applicant: United Parcel Service of America, Inc.

Inventor： Julio Gil

IPC: B64D9/00 ,  B64C39/02 ,  B64F1/32 ,  B64C25/34 ,  B64D45/04 ,  B64F1/22 ,  B65G1/06 ,  G06Q10/08

CPC classification number: B64D1/22 ,  B60P3/11 ,  B64C39/024 ,  B64C2201/024 ,  B64C2201/108 ,  B64C2201/128 ,  B64C2201/141 ,  B64C2201/146 ,  B64C2201/18 ,  B64C2201/208 ,  B64C2211/00 ,  B64D1/00 ,  B64D9/00 ,  B64D45/04 ,  B64F1/02 ,  B64F1/10 ,  B64F1/22 ,  B64F1/32 ,  B65G1/0435 ,  B65G1/06 ,  E05F15/77 ,  G01S19/42 ,  G06Q10/083 ,  G06Q10/0832 ,  G06Q10/0833 ,  G08G5/006 ,  G08G5/0069 ,  G08G5/025

Abstract: Systems and methods include UAVs that serve to assist carrier personnel by reducing the physical demands of the transportation and delivery process. A UAV generally includes a UAV chassis including an upper portion, a plurality of propulsion members configured to provide lift to the UAV chassis, and a parcel carrier configured for being selectively coupled to and removed from the UAV chassis. UAV support mechanisms are utilized to load and unload parcel carriers to the UAV chassis, and the UAV lands on and takes off from the UAV support mechanism to deliver parcels to a serviceable point. The UAV includes computing entities that interface with different systems and computing entities to send and receive various types of information.

公开(公告)号：US20170283090A1

公开(公告)日：2017-10-05

申请号：US15090452

申请日：2016-04-04

Applicant: Skycatch, Inc.

Inventor： Samuel Giles Miller ,  Jonathan Shyaun Noorani

IPC: B64F1/36 ,  B60L11/18 ,  B64C39/02

CPC classification number: B64C39/024 ,  B60L53/30 ,  B60L53/80 ,  B60L2200/10 ,  B64C2201/027 ,  B64C2201/042 ,  B64C2201/088 ,  B64C2201/108 ,  B64C2201/121 ,  B64C2201/127 ,  B64C2201/145 ,  B64C2201/18 ,  B64C2201/201 ,  Y02T10/7005 ,  Y02T10/7088 ,  Y02T90/124 ,  Y02T90/14

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed toward systems and methods for swapping a battery assembly between an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) and an unmanned aerial vehicle ground station (UAVGS). In particular, systems and methods described herein enable a battery swapping assembly to remove a battery assembly from within the UAV and store the battery assembly within a plurality of battery banks that are linearly arranged within the UAVGS. For example, the battery arm can move along an axis of movement relative to the battery banks to conveniently transfer one or more battery assemblies between the UAV and the battery banks within the UAVGS.

公开(公告)号：US09778660B2

公开(公告)日：2017-10-03

申请号：US14855434

申请日：2015-09-16

Applicant: QUALCOMM Incorporated

Inventor： William Henry Von Novak

IPC: G05D1/04 ,  B64C39/02 ,  B64C27/08 ,  G05D1/00

CPC classification number: G05D1/042 ,  B64C27/08 ,  B64C39/024 ,  B64C2201/108 ,  B64C2201/14 ,  B64C2201/141 ,  B64C2201/18 ,  G05D1/0005 ,  G05D1/0011 ,  G05D1/0088

Abstract: Methods, devices, and systems of various embodiments are disclosed for operating a UAV having insufficient power to operate normally. Various embodiments include determining whether an emergency-recovery state of a battery of the UAV has been reached while the UAV is flying. An emergency recovery mode may be activated in response to determining that the emergency-recovery state has been reached. The emergency recovery mode may switch the rotors from drawing energy from the battery to generate propulsion to harvesting energy from airflow that is used to recharge a battery of the UAV. A braking mode may be activated in response to determining that a braking altitude has been reached. The braking mode may switch the rotors from energy harvesting to drawing energy from the battery to generate propulsion in order to reduce a descent rate of the UAV.

公开(公告)号：US20170275025A1

公开(公告)日：2017-09-28

申请号：US15159554

申请日：2016-05-19

Applicant: GE Lighting Solutions, LLC

Inventor： David Mark JOHNSON ,  Kenneth A. LANE

IPC: B64F1/36 ,  B64F1/00 ,  F21V33/00 ,  G05D1/10 ,  F21S8/08 ,  B64F1/12 ,  B64C39/02

CPC classification number: B64F1/362 ,  B60L53/16 ,  B60L53/30 ,  B60L53/36 ,  B60L53/37 ,  B60L2200/10 ,  B64C39/024 ,  B64C2201/027 ,  B64C2201/042 ,  B64C2201/18 ,  B64C2201/20 ,  B64F1/005 ,  B64F1/12 ,  F21S8/08 ,  F21V33/00 ,  F21W2131/10 ,  G05D1/0676 ,  Y02T10/7005 ,  Y02T10/7088 ,  Y02T90/121 ,  Y02T90/125 ,  Y02T90/14

Abstract: There is provided a landing platform for mounting on a luminaire, where the landing platform provides an interface to a drone. For example, there is provided a landing platform for a drone, the landing platform being adaptable to mount on a luminaire. The landing platform includes two electrically active portions and an elevated portion. The elevated portion is configured to secure the drone on the landing platform and provide electrical contact between the two electrically active portions and electrical connectors of the drone.