公开(公告)号：US20190337621A1

公开(公告)日：2019-11-07

申请号：US16453559

申请日：2019-06-26

Applicant: Wing Aviation LLC

Inventor： Andre Prager ,  Trevor Shannon

IPC: B64D1/22 ,  B64C39/02

Abstract: Described herein are methods and systems for motorized control of a tether, such as for purposes of user interaction and feedback. In particular, a UAV's control system may determine one or more operational parameters of a motor for a winch disposed in the UAV, the winch including the tether and a spool. The control system may then detect in the one or more operational parameters, an operational pattern of the motor that is indicative of an intentional user-interaction with the tether. Based on the detected operational pattern of the motor that is indicative of the intentional user-interaction with the tether, the control system may determine a motor response process. Then, the control system may operate the motor in accordance with the determined motor response process.

公开(公告)号：US12258124B2

公开(公告)日：2025-03-25

申请号：US18451711

申请日：2023-08-17

Applicant: Wing Aviation LLC

Inventor： Andre Prager ,  Ivan Qiu ,  Jasper Lewin

IPC: B64D1/22 ,  B64C39/02 ,  B64U101/00 ,  B64U101/66 ,  B66C1/34

Abstract: A payload retrieval apparatus including a support structure having an upper end and a lower end; a first sloped surface secured to the support structure and a second sloped surface positioned adjacent the first sloped surface; an opening between the first and second sloped surfaces leading to a space to allow a payload retriever attached to a tether suspended from a UAV to travel into the space; an angled channel positioned beneath the first sloped surface having a tether slot to allow for passage of the tether as the payload retriever is drawn through the angled channel; and a payload holder positioned at the end of the angled channel.

公开(公告)号：US12054256B2

公开(公告)日：2024-08-06

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: B64C1/20 ,  B64C39/02 ,  B64D1/02 ,  B64D9/00 ,  B64U101/60

CPC classification number: B64C39/024 ,  B64C1/20 ,  B64D9/003 ,  B64D1/02 ,  B64U2101/60

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：US12025993B2

公开(公告)日：2024-07-02

申请号：US18213226

申请日：2023-06-22

Applicant: Wing Aviation LLC

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

IPC: G05D1/10 ,  B64C39/02 ,  G05D1/00 ,  G06Q10/0631 ,  G06Q10/083 ,  G06Q50/40 ,  B64U101/60

CPC classification number: G05D1/104 ,  B64C39/024 ,  G05D1/0094 ,  G06Q10/06315 ,  G06Q10/083 ,  G06Q50/40 ,  B64U2101/60 ,  B64U2201/10 ,  B64U2201/20

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：US20240160220A1

公开(公告)日：2024-05-16

申请号：US18213226

申请日：2023-06-22

Applicant: Wing Aviation LLC

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

IPC: G05D1/00 ,  B64C39/02 ,  G06Q10/0631 ,  G06Q10/083 ,  G06Q50/40 ,  B64U101/60

CPC classification number: G05D1/104 ,  B64C39/024 ,  G06Q10/06315 ,  G06Q10/083 ,  G06Q50/40 ,  B64U2101/60 ,  B64U2201/10 ,  B64U2201/20

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：US11794901B1

公开(公告)日：2023-10-24

申请号：US17408897

申请日：2021-08-23

Applicant: Wing Aviation LLC

Inventor： Andre Prager ,  Trevor Shannon ,  Evan Twyford ,  Alexander Miller

IPC: B64D1/22 ,  B64C39/02 ,  B66D1/60 ,  B66D1/40 ,  B64D1/12 ,  B66D1/48 ,  B66C1/38 ,  B66D1/12 ,  B64U101/60

CPC classification number: B64D1/22 ,  B64C39/024 ,  B64D1/12 ,  B66C1/38 ,  B66D1/12 ,  B66D1/40 ,  B66D1/485 ,  B66D1/60 ,  B64U2101/60

Abstract: A payload coupling apparatus is provided that includes a housing. The housing is adapted for attachment to a first end of a tether. The apparatus further includes a slot extending downwardly from an outer surface of the housing towards a center of the housing thereby forming a lower lip on the housing beneath the slot. The slot is adapted to receive a handle of a payload. The apparatus further includes a sensor configured to detect touchdown of the payload and a transmitter configured to send a touchdown confirmation signal to an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) based on a touchdown detection by the sensor.

公开(公告)号：US11767114B2

公开(公告)日：2023-09-26

申请号：US17558765

申请日：2021-12-22

Applicant: Wing Aviation LLC

Inventor： Andre Prager ,  Ivan Qiu ,  Jasper Lewin

IPC: B64D1/22 ,  B64C39/02 ,  B64U101/00

CPC classification number: B64D1/22 ,  B64C39/024 ,  B64U2101/00

Abstract: A payload retrieval apparatus is provided including a stand or base, wherein the base or stand has an upper end and a lower end, a first sloped surface positioned over the upper end of the stand or base, a second sloped surface positioned over the upper end of the stand or base and adjacent the first sloped surface, a tether slot positioned in a channel having a first end and a second end, the channel positioned under or near the first sloped surface, and a payload holder positioned at the second end of the channel, wherein the payload holder is adapted to secure a payload.

公开(公告)号：US20230271704A1

公开(公告)日：2023-08-31

申请号：US18133873

申请日：2023-04-12

Applicant: Wing Aviation LLC

Inventor： Trevor Shannon ,  Andre Prager

IPC: B64D1/22 ,  B64D1/12 ,  G05D1/08 ,  G06Q10/083 ,  B64C39/02 ,  B66D1/12 ,  B66D1/60

CPC classification number: B64D1/22 ,  B64D1/12 ,  G05D1/0858 ,  G06Q10/083 ,  B64C39/024 ,  B66D1/12 ,  B66D1/60 ,  B64U10/13

Abstract: Described herein are methods and systems for picking up, transporting, and lowering a payload coupled to a tether of a winch system arranged on an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). For example, the winch system may include a motor for winding and unwinding the tether from a spool, and the UAV's control system may operate the motor to lower the tether toward the ground so a payload may be attached to the tether. The control system may monitor an electric current supplied to the motor to determine whether the payload has been attached to the tether. In another example, when lowering a payload, the control system may monitor the motor current to determine that the payload has reached the ground and responsively operate the motor to detach the payload from the tether. The control system may then monitor the motor current to determine whether the payload has detached from the tether.

公开(公告)号：US11713122B2

公开(公告)日：2023-08-01

申请号：US17126251

申请日：2020-12-18

Applicant: Wing Aviation LLC

Inventor： Trevor Shannon ,  Andre Prager

IPC: B64D1/22 ,  B64D1/12 ,  G05D1/08 ,  G06Q10/083 ,  B64C39/02 ,  B66D1/12 ,  B66D1/60 ,  B64U10/13 ,  B64U10/25 ,  B64U30/10 ,  B64U30/20 ,  B64U101/60

CPC classification number: B64D1/22 ,  B64C39/024 ,  B64D1/12 ,  B66D1/12 ,  B66D1/60 ,  G05D1/0858 ,  G06Q10/083 ,  B64U10/13 ,  B64U10/25 ,  B64U30/10 ,  B64U30/20 ,  B64U2101/60 ,  B64U2201/10 ,  B64U2201/20 ,  B66D2700/0141

Abstract: Described herein are methods and systems for picking up, transporting, and lowering a payload coupled to a tether of a winch system arranged on an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). For example, the winch system may include a motor for winding and unwinding the tether from a spool, and the UAV's control system may operate the motor to lower the tether toward the ground so a payload may be attached to the tether. The control system may monitor an electric current supplied to the motor to determine whether the payload has been attached to the tether. In another example, when lowering a payload, the control system may monitor the motor current to determine that the payload has reached the ground and responsively operate the motor to detach the payload from the tether. The control system may then monitor the motor current to determine whether the payload has detached from the tether.

公开(公告)号：US20230192297A1

公开(公告)日：2023-06-22

申请号：US17558765

申请日：2021-12-22

Applicant: Wing Aviation LLC

Inventor： Andre Prager ,  Ivan Qiu ,  Jasper Lewin

IPC: B64D1/22 ,  B64C39/02

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

Abstract: A payload retrieval apparatus is provided including a stand or base, wherein the base or stand has an upper end and a lower end, a first sloped surface positioned over the upper end of the stand or base, a second sloped surface positioned over the upper end of the stand or base and adjacent the first sloped surface, a tether slot positioned in a channel having a first end and a second end, the channel positioned under or near the first sloped surface, and a payload holder positioned at the second end of the channel, wherein the payload holder is adapted to secure a payload.