公开(公告)号：US20170158319A1

公开(公告)日：2017-06-08

申请号：US15434735

申请日：2017-02-16

Applicant: Hood Technology Corporation

Inventor： Andreas H. von Flotow ,  Corydon C. Roeseler ,  Caleb Andrew Woodruff ,  Daniel Pepin Reiss

IPC: B64C27/26 ,  B64C39/02 ,  B64D3/00 ,  B64C27/32

CPC classification number: B64C27/32 ,  B64C1/30 ,  B64C11/48 ,  B64C25/10 ,  B64C27/26 ,  B64C39/024 ,  B64C2201/021 ,  B64C2201/027 ,  B64C2201/082 ,  B64C2201/108 ,  B64C2201/12 ,  B64C2201/182 ,  B64C2201/201 ,  B64C2201/206 ,  B64D3/00 ,  B64D5/00 ,  B64D2221/00 ,  B64F1/02 ,  B64F1/04

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.

公开(公告)号：US09672748B2

公开(公告)日：2017-06-06

申请号：US14936632

申请日：2015-11-09

Applicant: AeroVironment Inc.

Inventor： Christopher E. Fisher ,  Thomas Robert Szarek ,  Justin B. McAllister ,  Pavel Belik

IPC: G08G5/02 ,  B64C39/02 ,  G05D1/06 ,  B64D31/00 ,  G05D1/00

CPC classification number: G08G5/02 ,  B64C39/024 ,  B64C2201/021 ,  B64C2201/042 ,  B64C2201/104 ,  B64C2201/127 ,  B64C2201/14 ,  B64C2201/146 ,  B64C2201/165 ,  B64C2201/18 ,  B64D31/00 ,  G05D1/0011 ,  G05D1/0676

Abstract: An aircraft defining an upright orientation and an inverted orientation, a ground station; and a control system for remotely controlling the flight of the aircraft. The ground station has an auto-land function that causes the aircraft to invert, stall, and controllably land in the inverted orientation to protect a payload and a rudder extending down from the aircraft. In the upright orientation, the ground station depicts the view from a first aircraft camera. When switching to the inverted orientation: (1) the ground station depicts the view from a second aircraft camera, (2) the aircraft switches the colors of red and green wing lights, extends the ailerons to act as inverted flaps, and (3) the control system adapts a ground station controller for the inverted orientation. The aircraft landing gear is an expanded polypropylene pad located above the wing when the aircraft is in the upright orientation.

公开(公告)号：US09664175B2

公开(公告)日：2017-05-30

申请号：US14474105

申请日：2014-08-30

Applicant: X Development LLC

Inventor： Damon Vander Lind ,  George Edward Homsy

IPC: F03D1/06 ,  F03D5/00

CPC classification number: F03D9/32 ,  B64C39/022 ,  B64C39/024 ,  B64C2201/021 ,  B64C2201/12 ,  B64F3/02 ,  F03D1/0666 ,  F03D1/0691 ,  F03D5/00 ,  F03D9/25 ,  F05B2240/921 ,  F05B2240/923 ,  F05B2280/10 ,  F05B2280/6003 ,  Y02E10/70 ,  Y02E10/721

Abstract: A rotor for use with an airborne wind turbine, wherein the rotor comprises a front flange, a can, a rear flange, and a rigid insert comprising a propeller mount, wherein the front flange, can, and rear flange comprise one of carbon fiber and spun aluminum, wherein a rear end of the front flange is attached to a front end of the can, and the rear flange is mounted to a rear end of the can, wherein the rigid insert is bonded to the front flange; and wherein the rigid insert comprises a tube that axially extends within the rotor to allow for the positioning of a driveshaft therethrough.

公开(公告)号：US20170146995A1

公开(公告)日：2017-05-25

申请号：US14949541

申请日：2015-11-23

Applicant: EASY AERIAL INC.

Inventor： Ivan STAMATOVSKI ,  Mohammad HEFNY

IPC: G05D1/00 ,  G07C5/00 ,  B64C39/02

CPC classification number: G05D1/0027 ,  B64C39/024 ,  B64C2201/021 ,  B64C2201/024 ,  B64C2201/104 ,  B64C2201/108 ,  B64C2201/146 ,  G07C5/008

Abstract: A system and method is provided for the establishment of a fleet of networked unmanned vehicles. The system provides at least one vehicle control device configured to interface with a third party unmanned vehicle and establish communications with other unmanned vehicles and with remote control stations. A plurality of vehicle control devices may be used with a plurality of remote control stations to establish a networked fleet of unmanned vehicles. Communication between the networked vehicles may include control information, sensor information, and mission information.

公开(公告)号：US20170144776A1

公开(公告)日：2017-05-25

申请号：US15042053

申请日：2016-02-11

Applicant: AeroVironment, Inc.

Inventor： Christopher Eugene Fisher ,  Jason Sidharthadev Mukherjee ,  William Arden Lott

IPC: B64F1/22 ,  B64F1/24 ,  B64F1/04 ,  B64C39/02 ,  B64C29/02

CPC classification number: B64F1/222 ,  B64C29/02 ,  B64C39/024 ,  B64C2201/021 ,  B64C2201/088 ,  B64C2201/182 ,  B64C2201/201 ,  B64F1/005 ,  B64F1/02 ,  B64F1/04 ,  B64F1/24

Abstract: An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) storage and launch system, including: a UAV pod having an interior; and a telescoping UAV landing surface disposed in the interior of the UAV pod; where the telescoping UAV landing surface may translate up toward a top opening of the UAV pod, translate down into an interior of the UAV pod, or rotate relative to the UAV pod.

公开(公告)号：US20170144762A1

公开(公告)日：2017-05-25

申请号：US14951527

申请日：2015-11-25

Applicant: Alan Retig ,  David J. Kreher

Inventor： Alan Retig ,  David J. Kreher

IPC: B64D5/00

CPC classification number: B64D5/00 ,  B64C39/024 ,  B64C2201/021 ,  B64C2201/082 ,  B64C2201/182 ,  B64C2201/206

Abstract: The present disclosure reveals a drone deployment system for use from an airborne aircraft such that the drone deployment system is capable of moving through the aircraft, picking up a drone with a grappling means attached to an extendable arm, moving to an opening in the aircraft, extending and deploying the drone. The drone deployment system is further capable of retrieving a drone by having the extendable arm extended out the opening in the aircraft, having the drone fly into the grappling means which then engages, holding the drone, and the extendable arm is then retractable so that the opening can be closed and the drone placed in storage.

公开(公告)号：US09650133B2

公开(公告)日：2017-05-16

申请号：US15042090

申请日：2016-02-11

Applicant: AeroVironment, Inc.

Inventor： Christopher Eugene Fisher ,  Jason Sidharthadev Mukherjee ,  William Arden Lott

IPC: B64C27/22 ,  B64C29/02 ,  B64C39/02 ,  B64F1/00

CPC classification number: B64F1/005 ,  B64C29/02 ,  B64C39/024 ,  B64C2201/021 ,  B64C2201/042 ,  B64C2201/066 ,  B64C2201/088 ,  B64C2201/104 ,  B64C2201/12 ,  B64C2201/141 ,  B64C2201/165 ,  B64C2201/18 ,  B64C2201/201 ,  B64F1/12

Abstract: A vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) system including: a rearward facing tang extending from a rear fuselage portion of a VTOL UAV; one or more metallic contacts disposed on an exterior surface of the tang; a UAV pod including a landing surface; and an opening disposed in the landing surface to receive the tang.

公开(公告)号：US20170129624A1

公开(公告)日：2017-05-11

申请号：US15416245

申请日：2017-01-26

Applicant: Jose Cruz Chavez, JR.

Inventor： Jose Cruz Chavez, JR.

IPC: B64F1/02 ,  B64C39/02

CPC classification number: B64F1/02 ,  B64C39/024 ,  B64C2201/021 ,  B64C2201/182

Abstract: A method for retrieving an unmanned aircraft is provided. The retrieval device may include a frame that supports a flexible material. The flexible material may form a receptacle portion shaped to receive the unmanned aircraft. The flexible material may absorb at least a portion of the energy exerted by the aircraft landing within the receptacle portion. Wheels may be connected to the frame to further control and absorb energy from the landing.

公开(公告)号：US20170123412A1

公开(公告)日：2017-05-04

申请号：US14929553

申请日：2015-11-02

Applicant: Yu Tian ,  Wenyan Jiang

Inventor： Yu Tian ,  Wenyan Jiang

IPC: G05D1/00 ,  G05D1/08 ,  G05D1/04 ,  G05D1/10 ,  B64C39/02 ,  G05D1/06

CPC classification number: G05D1/0011 ,  A63H27/02 ,  A63H30/04 ,  B64C39/024 ,  B64C2201/021 ,  B64C2201/146 ,  B64C2203/00 ,  G05D1/042 ,  G05D1/0607 ,  G05D1/0833 ,  G05D1/101

Abstract: The invention involves in a control system for a model airplane, in particular, a kind of model airplane whose flight posture can be automatically controlled in real time according to the flight data determined through detection devices and air pressure sensors.

公开(公告)号：US20170115668A1

公开(公告)日：2017-04-27

申请号：US15401893

申请日：2017-01-09

Applicant: SUNLIGHT PHOTONICS INC.

Inventor： SERGEY V. FROLOV ,  JOHN PETER MOUSSOURIS ,  MICHAEL CYRUS

IPC: G05D1/10 ,  B64C3/56 ,  B64C29/00 ,  G08G7/02

CPC classification number: G05D1/104 ,  B64C3/56 ,  B64C29/0016 ,  B64C37/02 ,  B64C39/024 ,  B64C2201/021 ,  B64C2201/042 ,  B64C2201/066 ,  B64C2201/088 ,  B64C2201/102 ,  B64C2201/128 ,  B64C2201/143 ,  B64C2201/145 ,  B64D1/02 ,  G05D1/0022 ,  G05D1/0027 ,  G05D1/005 ,  G05D1/0212 ,  G05D1/0669 ,  G05D1/102 ,  G08G5/0008 ,  G08G5/0013 ,  G08G5/0017 ,  G08G5/0021 ,  G08G5/003 ,  G08G5/0065 ,  G08G5/0069 ,  G08G5/025 ,  G08G5/045 ,  G08G7/02 ,  Y02T50/14

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide an alternative distributed airborne transportation system. In some embodiments, a method for distributed airborne transportation includes: providing an airborne vehicle with a wing and a wing span, having capacity to carry one or more of passengers or cargo; landing of the airborne vehicle near one or more of passengers or cargo and loading at least one of passengers or cargo; taking-off and determining a flight direction for the airborne vehicle; locating at least one other airborne vehicle, which has substantially the same flight direction; and joining at least one other airborne vehicle in flight formation and forming a fleet, in which airborne vehicles fly with the same speed and direction and in which adjacent airborne vehicles are separated by distance of less than 100 wing spans.