公开(公告)号：US20170334546A1

公开(公告)日：2017-11-23

申请号：US15658168

申请日：2017-07-24

Applicant: Amazon Technologies, Inc.

Inventor： Brian C. Beckman ,  Allan Ko

IPC: B64C11/00 ,  B64C39/02 ,  G05D1/10 ,  G05D13/00 ,  B64C27/08 ,  B64C27/32 ,  G01C21/00

CPC classification number: B64C11/00 ,  B64C11/20 ,  B64C27/08 ,  B64C27/32 ,  B64C27/473 ,  B64C39/024 ,  B64C2201/024 ,  B64C2201/027 ,  B64C2201/108 ,  B64C2201/128 ,  B64C2201/141 ,  B64C2230/14 ,  G01C21/00 ,  G05D1/101 ,  G05D13/00 ,  Y02T50/166

Abstract: Aerial vehicles may be operated with discrete sets of propellers, which may be selected for a specific purpose or on a specific basis. The discrete sets of propellers may be operated separately or in tandem with one another, and at varying power levels. For example, a set of propellers may be selected to optimize the thrust, lift, maneuverability or efficiency of an aerial vehicle based on a position or other operational characteristic of the aerial vehicle, or an environmental condition encountered by the aerial vehicle. At least one of the propellers may be statically or dynamically imbalanced, such that the propeller emits a predetermined sound during operation. A balanced propeller may be specifically modified to cause the aerial vehicle to emit the predetermined sound by changing one or more parameters of the balanced propeller and causing the balanced propeller to be statically or dynamically imbalanced.

公开(公告)号：US09812021B2

公开(公告)日：2017-11-07

申请号：US14315213

申请日：2014-06-25

Applicant: Amazon Technologies, Inc.

Inventor： Amir Navot ,  Gur Kimchi ,  Brian C. Beckman ,  Frederik Schaffalitzky ,  Daniel Buchmueller ,  Robert John Anderson

IPC: G08G5/02 ,  G05D1/10 ,  G08G5/00 ,  G08G5/04

CPC classification number: G08G5/045 ,  B64C39/024 ,  B64C2201/027 ,  B64C2201/042 ,  B64C2201/108 ,  B64C2201/128 ,  B64C2201/145 ,  B64D45/00 ,  G05D1/101 ,  G05D1/102 ,  G08G5/0021 ,  G08G5/0069 ,  G08G5/0078

Abstract: This disclosure describes an automated aerial vehicle that includes one or more object detection elements configured to detect the presence of objects and an avoidance determining element configured to cause the automated aerial vehicle to automatically determine and execute an avoidance maneuver to avoid the objects. For example, an object may be detected and an avoidance maneuver determined based on a position of the object and an object vector representative of a direction and a magnitude of velocity of the object.

公开(公告)号：US09809304B1

公开(公告)日：2017-11-07

申请号：US14975548

申请日：2015-12-18

Applicant: Amazon Technologies, Inc.

Inventor： Brian C. Beckman ,  Gur Kimchi

IPC: B64C39/06 ,  B64C27/20 ,  B64C39/02

CPC classification number: B64C27/20 ,  B64C39/024 ,  B64C39/064 ,  B64C2201/108 ,  B64C2201/162

Abstract: This disclosure describes a configuration of an aerial vehicle, such as an unmanned aerial vehicle, in which one or more of the propellers are positioned within a duct that includes an active airflow channel within the interior of the duct. The active airflow channel actively moves within the duct so that it remains aligned with the tips of the blades of the propeller within the duct. As the propeller and the active airflow channel rotate, at least some of the airflow structures (e.g., vortices) shed from the blades of the propeller are collected by the active airflow channel and channeled away from the propeller so that a following blade of the propeller does not pass through the collected airflow structures.

公开(公告)号：US09778135B1

公开(公告)日：2017-10-03

申请号：US14656531

申请日：2015-03-12

Applicant: Amazon Technologies, Inc.

Inventor： Brian C. Beckman ,  Gershon Parent

IPC: G01M9/04 ,  G01M9/02

CPC classification number: G01M9/04 ,  G01M9/02

Abstract: Mobile tunnels may be provided on trailers or in association with one or more other vehicles. A mobile tunnel may be towed or otherwise accelerated to a sufficient velocity, thereby causing a fluid such as air or seawater to travel above, below and around the tunnel. The fluid may be diverted into the tunnel and caused to pass over a test object such as an unmanned aerial vehicle or unmanned undersea vehicle within the tunnel, thereby enabling aerodynamic testing or hydrodynamic testing of the test object to be performed. Additionally, one or more materials may be injected into the fluid, thereby enabling destructive testing of the test object to be performed.

公开(公告)号：US20170274993A1

公开(公告)日：2017-09-28

申请号：US15194484

申请日：2016-06-27

Applicant: Amazon Technologies, Inc.

Inventor： Brian C. Beckman ,  John Raymond Brodie ,  Vedran Coralic ,  Taylor David Grenier ,  Gur Kimchi ,  Dominic Timothy Shiosaki ,  Ricky Dean Welsh ,  Richard Philip Whitlock

IPC: B64C27/80 ,  B64C11/00 ,  B64C11/28 ,  B64C11/30 ,  B64C39/02 ,  B64C29/00

Abstract: Sounds are generated by an aerial vehicle during operation. For example, the motors and propellers of an aerial vehicle generate sounds during operation. Disclosed are systems, methods, and apparatus for actively adjusting the position and/or configuration of one or more propeller blades of a propulsion mechanism to generate different sounds and/or lifting forces from the propulsion mechanism.

公开(公告)号：US20170274983A1

公开(公告)日：2017-09-28

申请号：US15194477

申请日：2016-06-27

Applicant: Amazon Technologies, Inc.

Inventor： Brian C. Beckman ,  John Raymond Brodie ,  Vedran Coralic ,  Taylor David Grenier ,  Gur Kimchi ,  Dominic Timothy Shiosaki ,  Ricky Dean Welsh ,  Richard Philip Whitlock

IPC: B64C11/48 ,  B64C11/00 ,  B64C11/30 ,  B64C39/02 ,  B64C11/28

Abstract: Sounds are generated by an aerial vehicle during operation. For example, the motors and propellers of an aerial vehicle generate sounds during operation. Disclosed are systems, methods, and apparatus for actively adjusting the position and/or configuration of one or more propeller blades of a propulsion mechanism to generate different sounds and/or lifting forces from the propulsion mechanism.

公开(公告)号：US20170274979A1

公开(公告)日：2017-09-28

申请号：US15194473

申请日：2016-06-27

Applicant: Amazon Technologies, Inc.

Inventor： Brian C. Beckman ,  John Raymond Brodie ,  Vedran Coralic ,  Taylor David Grenier ,  Gur Kimchi ,  Dominic Timothy Shiosaki ,  Ricky Dean Welsh ,  Richard Philip Whitlock

IPC: B64C11/00 ,  B64C27/80 ,  B64C11/30 ,  B64C39/02 ,  B64C11/28

Abstract: Sounds are generated by an aerial vehicle during operation. For example, the motors and propellers of an aerial vehicle generate sounds during operation. Disclosed are systems, methods, and apparatus for actively adjusting the position and/or configuration of one or more propeller blades of a propulsion mechanism to generate different sounds and/or lifting forces from the propulsion mechanism.

公开(公告)号：US09767701B2

公开(公告)日：2017-09-19

申请号：US14315952

申请日：2014-06-26

Applicant: Amazon Technologies, Inc.

Inventor： Amir Navot ,  Brian C. Beckman ,  Daniel Buchmueller ,  Gur Kimchi ,  Fabian Hensel ,  Scott A. Green ,  Brandon William Porter ,  Severan Sylvain Jean-Michel Rault

IPC: G08G5/00 ,  G07C5/08 ,  B64D45/04 ,  B64C39/02 ,  G05D1/00 ,  G05D1/06 ,  G05D1/08

CPC classification number: G08G5/0086 ,  B64C39/024 ,  B64C2201/108 ,  B64C2201/141 ,  B64D45/04 ,  G01S2007/4975 ,  G05D1/0088 ,  G05D1/0676 ,  G05D1/0858 ,  G07C5/0808

Abstract: This disclosure describes a system and method for operating an automated aerial vehicle wherein influences of a ground effect may be utilized for sensing the ground or other surfaces. In various implementations, an operating parameter of the automated aerial vehicle may be monitored to determine when a ground effect is influencing the parameter, which correspondingly indicates a proximity to a surface (e.g., the ground). In various implementations, the ground effect based sensing techniques may be utilized for determining a proximity to the ground, as a backup for a primary sensor system, for determining if a landing location is uneven, etc.

公开(公告)号：US09745050B2

公开(公告)日：2017-08-29

申请号：US14975563

申请日：2015-12-18

Applicant: Amazon Technologies, Inc.

Inventor： Brian C. Beckman ,  Allan Ko

IPC: G05D1/00 ,  G05D1/06 ,  G05D3/00 ,  G06F7/00 ,  G06F17/00 ,  B64C11/00 ,  B64C39/02 ,  G01C21/00 ,  G05D13/00 ,  B64C27/32 ,  B64C27/08 ,  G05D1/10

CPC classification number: B64C11/00 ,  B64C11/20 ,  B64C27/08 ,  B64C27/32 ,  B64C27/473 ,  B64C39/024 ,  B64C2201/024 ,  B64C2201/027 ,  B64C2201/108 ,  B64C2201/128 ,  B64C2201/141 ,  B64C2230/14 ,  G01C21/00 ,  G05D1/101 ,  G05D13/00 ,  Y02T50/166

Abstract: Aerial vehicles may be operated with discrete sets of propellers, which may be selected for a specific purpose or on a specific basis. The discrete sets of propellers may be operated separately or in tandem with one another, and at varying power levels. For example, a set of propellers may be selected to optimize the thrust, lift, maneuverability or efficiency of an aerial vehicle based on a position or other operational characteristic of the aerial vehicle, or an environmental condition encountered by the aerial vehicle. At least one of the propellers may be statically or dynamically imbalanced, such that the propeller emits a predetermined sound during operation. A balanced propeller may be specifically modified to cause the aerial vehicle to emit the predetermined sound by changing one or more parameters of the balanced propeller and causing the balanced propeller to be statically or dynamically imbalanced.

公开(公告)号：US09731839B1

公开(公告)日：2017-08-15

申请号：US14975623

申请日：2015-12-18

Applicant: Amazon Technologies, Inc.

Inventor： Brian C. Beckman ,  Allan Ko

IPC: B64D47/00 ,  B64C39/02 ,  B64D1/08 ,  B64C19/00

CPC classification number: B64D47/00 ,  B64C19/00 ,  B64C39/024 ,  B64C2201/128 ,  B64D1/08

Abstract: Described is an aerial vehicle, such as an unmanned aerial vehicle (“UAV”) that includes a delivery shroud. The delivery shroud may be maintained in a retracted position while the aerial vehicle is in transit. The delivery shroud reduces the transmission of sound from the aerial vehicle to the delivery area. Likewise, the delivery shroud may also be used to facilitate delivery of a payload from the aerial vehicle to a delivery location within the delivery area.