Abstract:
A hollow elliptical-cylindrical hull conformingly houses a hollow rectangular-prismatic cabin whereby the four longitudinal parallel outside edges of the latter make contact with the inside surface of the former. The fully constructed aircraft (either non-powered or powered) includes the integral hull-plus-cabin structure along with nose, tail and airfoil structures that are coupled therewith. The cabin conformingly accommodates hollow rectangular-prismatic modules useful for cargo storage. While the nose and/or tail structure is uncoupled from the integral hull-plus-cabin structure, the modules are inserted into the cabin and the cabin is sealed. The aircraft is lifted (e.g., via airplane, helicopter, rocket or balloon) to a particular elevation and released, whereupon the two wings fully emerge and the aircraft effects controlled flight until reaching its destination. After landing, the nose and/or tail structure is uncoupled from the integral hull-plus-cabin structure, the cabin is unsealed, and the modules are removed from the cabin.
Abstract:
An aircraft 1 comprising interchangeable wings 5 detachedly connected to a fuselage 3, each wing 5 containing the fuel and flight systems 13,15 for engines 7 mounted to the wings 5, so that the fuselage 3 need contain no flight systems, simply a “bus” 23 for communication and the transfer of data between the wings.
Abstract:
A modular automated air transport system comprising an unmanned autonomous aircraft having a selectively detachable control systems portion and a structural air frame portion, wherein the structural air frame portion contains an interior cargo hold, aerodynamic members having control surfaces and at least one propulsion device attached to the structural air frame portion; and wherein the control system portion includes a control computer for autonomously controlling the flight of said air transport system from one known location to a second known location.
Abstract:
A method for refueling and reloading an unmanned aircraft for continuous flight is disclosed herein wherein the unmanned aircraft is maintained and supported by a support aircraft. Both aircraft maintain cargo bays and in-flight operable doors located on the underside of each aircraft for the purposes of docking and exchanging goods. Preferably the goods comprise loadable cartridges and may contain such items as weapons, cargo, or fuel for example. In one embodiment, when both aircraft are in a docked configuration for exchange of goods during flight, the in-flight operable doors open and the support aircraft is capable of loading such cartridges aboard the unmanned aircraft. When necessary the support aircraft may load gear for the purposes of landing the unmanned aircraft. Alternate methods of reloading an unmanned aircraft for continuous flight is disclosed wherein the unmanned aircraft does not have cargo bay doors and the aircraft is supported by a support aircraft.
Abstract:
A vertical take-off and landing miniature aerial vehicle includes an upper fuselage segment and a lower fuselage segment that extend in opposite directions from a rotor guard assembly. A rotor rotates within the rotor guard assembly between the fuselage segments. Plural turning vanes extend from the rotor guard assembly beneath the rotor. Moreover, plural grid fins extend radially from the lower fuselage segment below the turning vanes. The aerial vehicle is capable of taking off and landing vertically. During flight, the aerial vehicle can hover and transition between a horizontal flight mode and a vertical flight mode using the grid fins.
Abstract:
A device for programming industry standard autopilots by unskilled pilots. The effect of the invention is such that when the invention is employed in a flying body comprising an industry standard autopilot with a digital flight control system, the invention provides for the safe operation of any aircraft by an unskilled pilot. The device additionally affords skilled pilots a more rapid and simplified means of programming autopilots while in flight thus reducing a skilled pilot's cockpit workload for all aircraft flight and directional steering, way points, and aircraft flight functions reducing the possibility of pilot error so as to effect safer flight operations of an aircraft by affording a skilled pilot to direct aircraft steering and function while under continuous autopilot control.
Abstract:
Managing a package delivery system deploying an unmanned vehicle including an inflatable unit for reducing package vibration in a transportation vehicle. Package data is received at a computer, and the package data includes package descriptions. Spatial positioning of the packages in the transport space is tracked to determine, spatial positioning changes between the packages in the transport space based on the package data received at the computer and the transport. One or more unmanned vehicles are delivered to the transport space based on the spatial positioning changes in the transport space, and the unmanned vehicles including inflatable units. The inflatable units are deployed in the transport space by inflating the inflatable units at locations in the transport space based on the spatial positioning changes to discourage package movement in the transport space.
Abstract:
The present disclosure relates to a UAV delivery and operation station that includes: a drone control device; a station providing a drone standby and landing place; and a drone operated in accordance with instructions from the drone control device, wherein the drone control device includes: a flight route storage storing designated flight routes (GPS information) stored in advance for delivery destinations, respectively; and a first transceiver transmitting the designated flight routes (GPS information) to the drone using LTE or RF.
Abstract:
A method and apparatus for aerial delivery of a package dropped from an elevated location. The apparatus includes a main body having an internal compartment for receiving a package to be delivered. A controllable component is detachably mounted along an exterior surface of the main body. A control unit is mounted within the main body for deploying and/or controlling the at least one controllable component during a descent of the aerial delivery apparatus. A portable power supply is mounted within the main body and connected to the control unit for powering same. The main body is dimensioned to receive the controllable component within the main body when detached therefrom and to serve as a return shipping container for return mail shipment following the descent of the aerial delivery apparatus.
Abstract:
Load volume predication for slung loads of aerial vehicles are disclosed. A system can identify parameters of a load. The system can determine a volume occupied by a superposition of locations of the cone. The system can receive from sensors or models, characteristics of an environment associated with the aerial vehicle or the load. The system can detect an obstacle in the environment. The system can take a navigational action in response to detecting the obstacle.