Abstract:
Various embodiments of the present disclosure provide an apparatus and method for launch and retrieval of a hovering aircraft. Generally, the apparatus of the present disclosure is configured to capture a hovering aircraft between two or more fingers of an aircraft capturer, guide the captured aircraft into a docking station for servicing and/or storage, and launch the aircraft from the docking station. The apparatus of the present disclosure is thus configured to bring the aircraft from an imprecise, irregular hover into a secure and well-controlled rest state. The tolerance of imprecision provided by the apparatus makes it particularly suited for use under a practical conditions such as aboard a small boat in a rough sea.
Abstract:
This disclosure generally relates to an automotive drone deployment system that includes at least a vehicle and a deployable drone that is configured to attach and detach from the vehicle. More specifically, the disclosure describes the vehicle and drone remaining in communication with each other to exchange information while the vehicle is being operated in an autonomous driving mode so that the vehicle's performance under the autonomous driving mode is enhanced.
Abstract:
An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) copter for consumer photography or videography can be launched by a user throwing the UAV copter into mid-air. The UAV copter can detect that the UAV copter has been thrown upward while propeller drivers of the UAV copter are inert. In response to detecting that the UAV copter has been thrown upward, the UAV copter can compute power adjustments for propeller drivers of the UAV copter to have the UAV copter reach a predetermined elevation above an operator device. The UAV copter can then supply power to the propeller drivers in accordance with the computed power adjustments.
Abstract:
A UAV support vehicle carries a UAV support apparatus for launching and/or recovering a UAV while the UAV support vehicle is moving. The UAV support apparatus releases the UAV during launch and receives the UAV during recovery. An active suspension may be connected between the UAV support vehicle and at least a portion of the UAV support apparatus and reduce motion imparted to that portion of the UAV support apparatus. During UAV recovery, data from a synchronization link between the UAV and the UAV support vehicle may be used to maneuver the UAV and/or the UAV support vehicle.
Abstract:
A technique is directed to launching an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). The technique involves attaching a UAV launcher to a hand-held weapon, and installing a UAV onto the UAV launcher while the UAV launcher is attached to the hand-held weapon. The technique further involves activating the hand-held weapon to launch the UAV into flight from the UAV launcher. Since a user already may be carrying the hand-held weapon for firing ammunition, the user simply needs to further carry the UAV launcher and the UAV which, in some situations, can be packaged into an easy-to-carry container such as a backpack, a carrying case, and so on.
Abstract:
A system comprising an aerial vehicle or an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) configured to control pitch, roll, and/or yaw via airfoils having resiliently mounted trailing edges opposed by fuselage-house deflecting actuator horns. Embodiments include one or more rudder elements which may be rotatably attached and actuated by an effector member disposed within the fuselage housing and extendible in part to engage the one or more rudder elements.
Abstract:
A system of software and hardware components is disclosed comprising a system designed to deploy, manage, and control unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). The integrated UAVs can be deployed from vehicles, buildings, and other types of fixed locations. The present disclosure enables users to deploy UAVs to perform pre-defined flight maneuvers and fly to pre-designated locations. The present disclosure also and affords the ability for users to maintain the UAVs flight control locally or transfer control of a deployed UAV to remotely located system operators.
Abstract:
Equipment and methods which combine the use of wave powered vehicles and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs or drones). A UAV can be launched from a wave-powered vehicle, observe another vessel and report the results of its observation to the wave-powered vehicle and the waves-powered vehicle can report the results of the observation to a remote location. The UAV can land on water and can then be recovered by the wave-powered vehicle.
Abstract:
An assembly comprising a drone (1) and at least one releasable load (37) mounted on the drone, the drone comprising an on-board data processing system, the releasable load (37) comprising at least one sensor delivering a piece of information that can be used to ascertain the path of same and actuators for controlling flight control surfaces allowing it to be oriented as it falls, being linked to the drone (1) by an optical fibre (70), the load and the drone being arranged to exchange information via the optical fibre while the load is falling, the load transmitting data originating from said at least one sensor and the drone transmitting data for controlling the actuators, established taking into account that received from the load, in order to guide the load towards a predefined target.
Abstract:
Systems, devices, and methods that may include: determining one or more take-off variables for a vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aerial vehicle; increasing an altitude of the VTOL aerial vehicle to a first altitude, where increasing the altitude comprises substantially vertical flight of the VTOL aerial vehicle; performing a first pre-rotation check of the VTOL aerial vehicle; adjusting a pitch of the VTOL aerial vehicle to a first pitch angle via motor control; adjusting the pitch of the VTOL aerial vehicle to a second pitch angle via at least one of: motor control and one or more effectors; and adjusting the pitch of the VTOL aerial vehicle to a third pitch angle via the one or more effectors, where the third pitch angle is substantially perpendicular to a vertical plane.