公开(公告)号：US12227306B2

公开(公告)日：2025-02-18

申请号：US17978293

申请日：2022-11-01

Applicant: Workhorse Group Inc.

Inventor： Jay Ratajczak ,  Wei Wei ,  Haonan Zhang ,  Thaddeus Bort

IPC: B64F1/36 ,  B60L5/36 ,  B60L50/60 ,  B60L53/14 ,  B60L53/80 ,  B64C1/06 ,  B64C1/30 ,  B64C25/00 ,  B64C39/02 ,  B64D1/10 ,  B64D1/12 ,  B64D1/22 ,  B64D27/24 ,  B64D31/00 ,  B64D41/00 ,  B64D45/00 ,  B64F1/32 ,  B64U10/13 ,  B64U20/70 ,  B64U30/20 ,  B64U50/13 ,  B64U50/19 ,  B64U60/50 ,  B64U70/00 ,  B64U70/90 ,  B64U80/70 ,  B64U80/86 ,  B64U101/60 ,  B64U101/69 ,  B66D1/48 ,  G05D1/00 ,  G05D1/46 ,  G05D1/606 ,  G05D1/689 ,  G08G5/00

Abstract: An unmanned aerial vehicle according to certain embodiments generally includes a chassis, a power supply mounted to the chassis, a control system operable to receive power from the power supply, at least one rotor operable to generate lift under control of the control system, and a winch mounted to the chassis. The winch includes a reel and a motor. The reel has a line wound thereon, the line having a free end. The reel includes a circumferential channel in which a wound portion of the line is wound onto the reel. The circumferential channel includes an inner portion, an outer portion, and a passage connecting the inner portion and the outer portion. The motor is operable to rotate the reel under control of the control system to thereby cause the line to wind onto and off of the reel, thereby causing the free end of the line to raise and lower.

公开(公告)号：US12154442B2

公开(公告)日：2024-11-26

申请号：US18395446

申请日：2023-12-22

Applicant: Workhorse Group Inc.

Inventor： Jay Ratajczak ,  Scott Wilson ,  Wei Wei ,  Thaddeus M. Bort, Jr.

IPC: G08G5/00 ,  B64C39/02 ,  G06Q10/0832 ,  G06Q10/0835 ,  B64U80/86 ,  B64U101/60

Abstract: A UAV delivery control system is disclosed. Sensors detect operation parameters associated with the UAV as the UAV maneuvers along an airborne delivery route. A UAV operation controller monitors UAV route parameters as the UAV maneuvers along the airborne delivery route. The UAV route parameters are indicative as to a current environment of the airborne delivery route that the UAV is encountering. The UAV operation controller automatically adjusts the operation of the UAV to maintain the operation of the UAV within an operation threshold based on the operation parameters and the UAV route parameters. The operation threshold is the operation of the UAV that is maintained within an overall airborne operation radius of the UAV from a return destination thereby enabling the UAV to execute the delivery of the package along the airborne delivery route and to return to the return destination.

公开(公告)号：US20240127702A1

公开(公告)日：2024-04-18

申请号：US18395446

申请日：2023-12-22

Applicant: Workhorse Group Inc.

Inventor： Jay Ratajczak ,  Scott Wilson ,  Wei Wei ,  Thaddeus M. Bort, JR.

IPC: G08G5/00 ,  B64C39/02 ,  G06Q10/0832 ,  G06Q10/0835

CPC classification number: G08G5/0069 ,  B64C39/024 ,  G06Q10/0832 ,  G06Q10/08355 ,  G08G5/0013 ,  G08G5/0039 ,  B64U80/86

Abstract: A UAV delivery control system is disclosed. Sensors detect operation parameters associated with the UAV as the UAV maneuvers along an airborne delivery route. A UAV operation controller monitors UAV route parameters as the UAV maneuvers along the airborne delivery route. The UAV route parameters are indicative as to a current environment of the airborne delivery route that the UAV is encountering. The UAV operation controller automatically adjusts the operation of the UAV to maintain the operation of the UAV within an operation threshold based on the operation parameters and the UAV route parameters. The operation threshold is the operation of the UAV that is maintained within an overall airborne operation radius of the UAV from a return destination thereby enabling the UAV to execute the delivery of the package along the airborne delivery route and to return to the return destination.

公开(公告)号：US11854414B2

公开(公告)日：2023-12-26

申请号：US17963730

申请日：2022-10-11

Applicant: Workhorse Group Inc.

Inventor： Jay Ratajczak ,  Scott Wilson ,  Wei Wei ,  Thaddeus M. Bort, Jr.

IPC: G08G5/00 ,  B64C39/02 ,  G06Q10/00 ,  G06Q10/0832 ,  G06Q10/0835 ,  B64U80/86 ,  B64U101/60

CPC classification number: G08G5/0069 ,  B64C39/024 ,  G06Q10/0832 ,  G06Q10/08355 ,  G08G5/0013 ,  G08G5/0039 ,  B64U80/86 ,  B64U2101/60

Abstract: A UAV delivery control system is disclosed. Sensors detect operation parameters associated with the UAV as the UAV maneuvers along an airborne delivery route. A UAV operation controller monitors UAV route parameters as the UAV maneuvers along the airborne delivery route. The UAV route parameters are indicative as to a current environment of the airborne delivery route that the UAV is encountering. The UAV operation controller automatically adjusts the operation of the UAV to maintain the operation of the UAV within an operation threshold based on the operation parameters and the UAV route parameters. The operation threshold is the operation of the UAV that is maintained within an overall airborne operation radius of the UAV from a return destination thereby enabling the UAV to execute the delivery of the package along the airborne delivery route and to return to the return destination.

公开(公告)号：US11383859B1

公开(公告)日：2022-07-12

申请号：US17676571

申请日：2022-02-21

Applicant: Workhorse Group Inc.

Inventor： Jay Ratajczak ,  Wei Wei ,  Haonan Zhang ,  Thaddeus Bort

IPC: B64D1/00 ,  B64D1/12 ,  B64C39/02 ,  B60L53/14 ,  B60L53/80 ,  G05D1/00 ,  G08G5/00 ,  B64D1/10 ,  B64F1/36 ,  B64C25/00 ,  B60L50/60 ,  B60L5/36 ,  B64D27/24 ,  B64D31/00 ,  B64D41/00 ,  B66D1/48 ,  G05D1/10 ,  B64F1/32 ,  B64D1/22 ,  B64C1/06 ,  B64C1/30 ,  B64D45/00

Abstract: An unmanned aerial vehicle according to certain embodiments generally includes a chassis, a power supply mounted to the chassis, a control system operable to receive power from the power supply, at least one rotor operable to generate lift under control of the control system, and a winch mounted to the chassis. The winch includes a reel and a motor. The reel has a line wound thereon, the line having a free end. The reel includes a circumferential channel in which a wound portion of the line is wound onto the reel. The circumferential channel includes an inner portion, an outer portion, and a passage connecting the inner portion and the outer portion. The motor is operable to rotate the reel under control of the control system to thereby cause the line to wind onto and off of the reel, thereby causing the free end of the line to raise and lower.

公开(公告)号：US20220204181A1

公开(公告)日：2022-06-30

申请号：US17676571

申请日：2022-02-21

Applicant: Workhorse Group Inc.

Inventor： Jay Ratajczak ,  Wei Wei ,  Haonan Zhang ,  Thaddeus Bort

IPC: B64F1/36 ,  B64C39/02 ,  B64C25/00 ,  B60L53/14 ,  B60L53/80 ,  B60L50/60 ,  B60L5/36 ,  B64D27/24 ,  B64D31/00 ,  B64D41/00 ,  B64D1/10 ,  B66D1/48 ,  G05D1/10 ,  B64F1/32 ,  B64D1/12 ,  B64D1/22 ,  B64C1/06 ,  B64C1/30 ,  G05D1/00 ,  G08G5/00

Abstract: An unmanned aerial vehicle according to certain embodiments generally includes a chassis, a power supply mounted to the chassis, a control system operable to receive power from the power supply, at least one rotor operable to generate lift under control of the control system, and a winch mounted to the chassis. The winch includes a reel and a motor. The reel has a line wound thereon, the line having a free end. The reel includes a circumferential channel in which a wound portion of the line is wound onto the reel. The circumferential channel includes an inner portion, an outer portion, and a passage connecting the inner portion and the outer portion. The motor is operable to rotate the reel under control of the control system to thereby cause the line to wind onto and off of the reel, thereby causing the free end of the line to raise and lower.

公开(公告)号：US20220135251A1

公开(公告)日：2022-05-05

申请号：US17533289

申请日：2021-11-23

Applicant: Workhorse Group Inc.

Inventor： Jay Ratajczak ,  Wei Wei ,  Haonan Zhang ,  Thaddeus Bort ,  Scott Wilson

IPC: B64F1/36 ,  B64C39/02 ,  B64C25/00 ,  B60L53/14 ,  B60L53/80 ,  B60L50/60 ,  B60L5/36 ,  B64D27/24 ,  B64D31/00 ,  B64D41/00 ,  B64D1/10 ,  B66D1/48 ,  G05D1/10 ,  B64F1/32 ,  B64D1/12

Abstract: An example charging station for an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), the charging station generally including a nest and a charging device. The nest includes an upper portion and a lower portion. The upper portion defines an upper opening sized and shaped to receive a landing apparatus of the UAV, and a diameter of the nest reduces from a first diameter at the upper opening to a second diameter at the lower portion. The charging device is mounted in the nest, and includes a first contact pad and a second contact pad. The charging device is configured to apply a voltage differential across the first contact pad and the second contact pad such that the charging station is operable to charge a power supply of the UAV via the landing apparatus.

公开(公告)号：US20210380243A1

公开(公告)日：2021-12-09

申请号：US17223474

申请日：2021-04-06

Applicant: Workhorse Group Inc.

Inventor： Jay Ratajczak ,  Wei Wei ,  Haonan Zhang ,  Thaddeus Bort

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

Abstract: An unmanned aerial vehicle according to certain embodiments generally includes a chassis, a power supply mounted to the chassis, a control system operable to receive power from the power supply, at least one rotor operable to generate lift under control of the control system, a line having one end coupled to the chassis and an opposite free end, wherein the free end is positioned below the chassis, and a severing mechanism operable to sever the line under control of the control system.

公开(公告)号：US11180263B2

公开(公告)日：2021-11-23

申请号：US17223673

申请日：2021-04-06

Applicant: Workhorse Group Inc.

Inventor： Jay Ratajczak ,  Wei Wei ,  Haonan Zhang ,  Thaddeus Bort ,  Scott Wilson

IPC: B64C39/02 ,  B60L53/14 ,  B64F1/36 ,  B64C25/00 ,  B60L53/80

Abstract: An example charging station for an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), the charging station generally including a nest and a charging device. The nest includes an upper portion and a lower portion. The upper portion defines an upper opening sized and shaped to receive a landing apparatus of the UAV, and a diameter of the nest reduces from a first diameter at the upper opening to a second diameter at the lower portion. The charging device is mounted in the nest, and includes a first contact pad and a second contact pad. The charging device is configured to apply a voltage differential across the first contact pad and the second contact pad such that the charging station is operable to charge a power supply of the UAV via the landing apparatus.

公开(公告)号：US20210309388A1

公开(公告)日：2021-10-07

申请号：US17223673

申请日：2021-04-06

Applicant: Workhorse Group Inc.

Inventor： Jay Ratajczak ,  Wei Wei ,  Haonan Zhang ,  Thaddeus Bort ,  Scott Wilson

IPC: B64F1/36 ,  B64C39/02 ,  B64C25/00 ,  B60L53/14 ,  B60L53/80

Abstract: An example charging station for an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), the charging station generally including a nest and a charging device. The nest includes an upper portion and a lower portion. The upper portion defines an upper opening sized and shaped to receive a landing apparatus of the UAV, and a diameter of the nest reduces from a first diameter at the upper opening to a second diameter at the lower portion. The charging device is mounted in the nest, and includes a first contact pad and a second contact pad. The charging device is configured to apply a voltage differential across the first contact pad and the second contact pad such that the charging station is operable to charge a power supply of the UAV via the landing apparatus.