公开(公告)号：US11256271B2

公开(公告)日：2022-02-22

申请号：US15930054

申请日：2020-05-12

Applicant: Wing Aviation LLC

Inventor： Jesse Blake ,  James Schmalzried ,  Scott Velez ,  Andre Prager ,  Eric Teller ,  Matthew Nubbe

IPC: G05D1/10 ,  B64C39/02 ,  G05D1/00 ,  G06Q50/30 ,  G06Q10/06 ,  G06Q10/08

Abstract: An example method involves determining an expected demand level for a first type of a plurality of types of transport tasks for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), the first type of transport tasks associated with a first payload type. Each of the UAVs is physically reconfigurable between at least a first and a second configuration corresponding to the first payload type and a second payload type, respectively. The method also involves determining based on the expected demand level for the first type of transport tasks, (i) a first number of UAVs having the first configuration and (ii) a second number of UAVs having the second configuration. The method further involves, at or near a time corresponding to the expected demand level, providing one or more UAVs to perform the transport tasks, including at least the first number of UAVs.

公开(公告)号：US10894601B2

公开(公告)日：2021-01-19

申请号：US15848402

申请日：2017-12-20

Applicant: Wing Aviation LLC

Inventor： Jesse Blake ,  James Schmalzried ,  Siegfried Zerweckh ,  Andre Prager ,  Scott Velez

IPC: B64C39/02 ,  G05D1/10 ,  B64F1/36 ,  H02J7/00 ,  H02J7/35

Abstract: Example implementations may relate to self-deployment of operational infrastructure by an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). Specifically, a control system may determine operational location(s) from which a group of UAVs is to provide aerial transport services in a geographic area. For at least a first of the operational location(s), the system may cause a first UAV from the group to perform an infrastructure deployment task that includes (i) a flight from a source location to the first operational location and (ii) installation of operational infrastructure at the first operational location by the first UAV. In turn, this may enable the first UAV to operate from the first operational location, as the first UAV can charge a battery of the first UAV using the operational infrastructure installed at the first operational location and/or can carry out item transport task(s) at location(s) that are in the vicinity of the first operational location.

公开(公告)号：US10882410B2

公开(公告)日：2021-01-05

申请号：US15654644

申请日：2017-07-19

Applicant: Wing Aviation LLC

Inventor： Nick Renold ,  Matthew Nubbe ,  Jim Schmalzried ,  Jesse Blake ,  Scott Velez ,  Dustin Sanders ,  Stephen Benson ,  Evan Twyford

IPC: B60L53/30 ,  B64C1/00 ,  B60L53/35 ,  B60L53/16 ,  B60L53/12 ,  H02J7/00 ,  B64C39/02 ,  B64F1/00 ,  B64F1/02

Abstract: An example embodiment includes a landing pad having a housing and a power terminal configured to draw electric power from a power source. The landing pad further includes an electrically conductive landing terminal dorsal to the housing and configured such that, during a landing state of an aerial vehicle, the landing terminal makes contact with a plurality of electric contacts disposed ventrally to a fuselage of the aerial vehicle. The landing terminal is configured to transfer electric power drawn by the power terminal to the aerial vehicle via the electric contacts during the landing state of the aerial vehicle.

公开(公告)号：US12168512B2

公开(公告)日：2024-12-17

申请号：US17865078

申请日：2022-07-14

Applicant: Wing Aviation LLC

Inventor： Jesse Blake ,  Andre Prager ,  Evan Twyford ,  Ivan Qiu ,  Jasper Lewin

IPC: B64D1/10 ,  B64C39/02 ,  B64D1/22 ,  B64U10/25 ,  B64U101/60

Abstract: A unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) includes a fuselage including a top, a bottom, a cavity that forms a cargo bay between the top and the bottom, and a lower access opening in the bottom for lowering a payload from the cargo bay. A movable stage is coupled to the fuselage and adjustable between an upper position in which the stage is above the cargo bay and a lower position in which the stage is at the bottom of the fuselage, the stage including an opening extending through the stage. The UAV also includes a winch disposed in the fuselage and a tether coupled to the winch. The winch is configured to be secured to the payload and is movable through the opening in the stage so as to raise or lower the payload.

公开(公告)号：US20240017825A1

公开(公告)日：2024-01-18

申请号：US17865058

申请日：2022-07-14

Applicant: Wing Aviation LLC

Inventor： Jesse Blake ,  Andre Prager ,  Evan Twyford ,  Ivan Qiu ,  Jasper Lewin

IPC: B64C39/02 ,  B64C1/20 ,  B64D9/00

CPC classification number: B64C39/024 ,  B64C1/20 ,  B64D9/003 ,  B64C2201/128 ,  B64D1/02

Abstract: A unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) includes a fuselage body including a cavity that forms a cargo bay for transporting a payload, an upper access opening for receiving the payload into the cargo bay from a first direction, and a lower access opening for lowering the payload from the cargo bay. The UAV also includes an upper door associated with the upper access opening that is movable between a closed position in which the upper access opening is obstructed and an open position providing a path for the payload into the cargo bay. The upper door includes a winch configured to unwind or retract a tether secured to the payload.

公开(公告)号：US20230192295A1

公开(公告)日：2023-06-22

申请号：US17555099

申请日：2021-12-17

Applicant: Wing Aviation LLC

Inventor： Jesse Blake ,  Evan Twyford ,  Ivan Qiu ,  Jasper Lewin

IPC: B64D1/12 ,  B64C39/02 ,  B64D1/22

CPC classification number: B64D1/12 ,  B64C39/024 ,  B64D1/22 ,  B64C2201/128

Abstract: A package coupling apparatus for securing a package to an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) is provided. The package coupling apparatus includes a hanger and a strap coupled to the hanger. The hanger includes a base configured to be positioned adjacent to the package and a handle extending up from the base. The handle includes a handle opening and a bridge that extends over the handle opening. The bridge is configured to be secured by a component of the UAV. The strap is configured to surround the package and secure the package to the hanger.

公开(公告)号：US11618565B2

公开(公告)日：2023-04-04

申请号：US17120804

申请日：2020-12-14

Applicant: Wing Aviation LLC

Inventor： Jesse Blake ,  James Schmalzried ,  Siegfried Zerweckh ,  Andre Prager ,  Scott Velez

IPC: B64C39/00 ,  B64C39/02 ,  G05D1/10 ,  B64F1/36 ,  H02J7/00 ,  H02J7/35

Abstract: Example implementations may relate to self-deployment of operational infrastructure by an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). Specifically, a control system may determine operational location(s) from which a group of UAVs is to provide aerial transport services in a geographic area. For at least a first of the operational location(s), the system may cause a first UAV from the group to perform an infrastructure deployment task that includes (i) a flight from a source location to the first operational location and (ii) installation of operational infrastructure at the first operational location by the first UAV. In turn, this may enable the first UAV to operate from the first operational location, as the first UAV can charge a battery of the first UAV using the operational infrastructure installed at the first operational location and/or can carry out item transport task(s) at location(s) that are in the vicinity of the first operational location.

公开(公告)号：US10723433B2

公开(公告)日：2020-07-28

申请号：US15823114

申请日：2017-11-27

Applicant: Wing Aviation LLC

Inventor： Adam Woodworth ,  Adem Rudin ,  Stephen Benson ,  James Schmalzried ,  Kyle Liske ,  Jesse Blake ,  André Prager ,  Nicolas Renold ,  Thorsten Schilling

IPC: B64C1/06 ,  B64C1/16 ,  B64C3/18 ,  B64C3/32 ,  B64C39/02 ,  B64C3/26

Abstract: Systems and methods for assembling Unmanned Autonomous Vehicle (UAV) are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a method for assembling a UAV includes connecting a wing spar with boom carriers to form an H-frame. The wing spar provides mounting locations for securing horizontal propulsion units, and the boom carriers provide mounting locations for securing vertical propulsion units. The method also includes attaching a fuselage body to the wing spar; attaching a pre-formed wing shell to the H-frame; and attaching pre-formed individual boom shells to their corresponding boom carriers. The H-frame provides structural frame for mounting the wing shell and the boom shells.

公开(公告)号：US20200090526A1

公开(公告)日：2020-03-19

申请号：US16687485

申请日：2019-11-18

Applicant: WING Aviation LLC

Inventor： Martin Kubie ,  Adam Woodworth ,  Jesse Blake ,  Reinaldo Negron ,  James Burgess ,  André Prager ,  Stephen Lacy ,  Giulia Pantalone

IPC: G08G5/00 ,  G01C21/00 ,  G05D1/10 ,  B64C39/02 ,  G05D1/00 ,  G05D1/02

Abstract: A computer implemented method of distributing noise exposures to unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) over a neighborhood includes: accessing a noise exposure map stored in a database and generating a new flight path over the neighborhood for a first UAV of the UAVs based at least in part on the noise exposure map. The noise exposure map includes noise exposure values indexed to locations within the neighborhood. Each of the noise exposure values quantifies a cumulative noise exposure of a corresponding one of the locations due at least in part to historical flight paths of the UAVs over the neighborhood.

公开(公告)号：US20190196512A1

公开(公告)日：2019-06-27

申请号：US15851693

申请日：2017-12-21

Applicant: Wing Aviation LLC

Inventor： Jesse Blake ,  James Schmalzried ,  Scott Velez ,  Andre Prager ,  Eric Teller ,  Matthew Nubbe

IPC: G05D1/10 ,  B64C39/02 ,  G05D1/00 ,  G06Q10/06 ,  G06Q50/30

Abstract: An example method involves determining an expected demand level for a first type of a plurality of types of transport tasks for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), the first type of transport tasks associated with a first payload type. Each of the UAVs is physically reconfigurable between at least a first and a second configuration corresponding to the first payload type and a second payload type, respectively. The method also involves determining based on the expected demand level for the first type of transport tasks, (i) a first number of UAVs having the first configuration and (ii) a second number of UAVs having the second configuration. The method further involves, at or near a time corresponding to the expected demand level, providing one or more UAVs to perform the transport tasks, including at least the first number of UAVs.