公开(公告)号：US20230242274A1

公开(公告)日：2023-08-03

申请号：US18114030

申请日：2023-02-24

Applicant: Workhorse Group Inc.

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

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

CPC classification number: B64F1/364 ,  B60L5/36 ,  B60L50/66 ,  B60L53/14 ,  B60L53/80 ,  B64C1/30 ,  B64C1/061 ,  B64C25/001 ,  B64C39/024 ,  B64D1/10 ,  B64D1/12 ,  B64D1/22 ,  B64D27/24 ,  B64D31/00 ,  B64D41/00 ,  B64F1/32 ,  B64U20/70 ,  B66D1/48 ,  G05D1/0094 ,  G05D1/101 ,  G05D1/106 ,  G08G5/0069 ,  B60L2200/10 ,  B64D2045/0085 ,  B64U10/13 ,  B64U30/20 ,  B64U50/13 ,  B64U50/19 ,  B64U70/00 ,  B64U80/70 ,  B64U80/86 ,  B64U2101/60 ,  B64U2201/10

Abstract: A method according to certain embodiments generally involves operating a system including an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) and a base station. The base station includes a nest including an upper opening having an upper opening diameter and a lower opening having a lower opening diameter less than the upper opening diameter. The lower opening is accessible from within the base station. The method generally includes landing the UAV within the nest such that a portion of the UAV is accessible via the lower opening, releasably attaching a load to the UAV, and operating the UAV to deliver the load to a destination.

公开(公告)号：US11472572B2

公开(公告)日：2022-10-18

申请号：US17725926

申请日：2022-04-21

Applicant: Workhorse Group Inc.

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

IPC: B60L53/14 ,  B64F1/36 ,  B64C39/02 ,  B64C25/00 ,  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 ,  B64D45/00

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：US11254446B2

公开(公告)日：2022-02-22

申请号：US17223501

申请日：2021-04-06

Applicant: Workhorse Group Inc.

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

IPC: B64D1/00 ,  B64D1/12 ,  B64C39/02 ,  B64D1/22 ,  G08G5/00 ,  G05D1/00 ,  G05D1/10 ,  B64F1/36 ,  B64C25/00 ,  B60L53/14 ,  B60L53/80 ,  B60L50/60 ,  B60L5/36 ,  B64D27/24 ,  B64D31/00 ,  B64D41/00 ,  B64D1/10 ,  B66D1/48 ,  B64F1/32 ,  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 motor operable to lower a free end of a line. The free end of the line is operable to engage a parcel to be delivered by the unmanned aerial vehicle. The control system is configured to operate the motor to cause the free end of the line to accelerate toward a delivery surface as the free end of the line passes through a first portion of a distance between the unmanned aerial vehicle and the delivery surface, and to decelerate as the free end of the line passes through a lower portion of the distance.

公开(公告)号：US20210380242A1

公开(公告)日：2021-12-09

申请号：US17223501

申请日：2021-04-06

Applicant: Workhorse Group Inc.

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

IPC: B64D1/12 ,  B64C39/02 ,  B64D1/22 ,  G08G5/00 ,  G05D1/00 ,  G05D1/10

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 motor operable to lower a free end of a line. The free end of the line is operable to engage a parcel to be delivered by the unmanned aerial vehicle. The control system is configured to operate the motor to cause the free end of the line to accelerate toward a delivery surface as the free end of the line passes through a first portion of a distance between the unmanned aerial vehicle and the delivery surface, and to decelerate as the free end of the line passes through a lower portion of the distance.

公开(公告)号：US12037137B2

公开(公告)日：2024-07-16

申请号：US18114030

申请日：2023-02-24

Applicant: Workhorse Group Inc.

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

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 ,  B64F1/32 ,  B64U20/70 ,  B66D1/48 ,  G05D1/00 ,  G08G5/00 ,  B64D45/00 ,  B64U10/13 ,  B64U30/20 ,  B64U50/13 ,  B64U50/19 ,  B64U70/00 ,  B64U80/70 ,  B64U80/86 ,  B64U101/60

CPC classification number: B64F1/364 ,  B60L5/36 ,  B60L50/66 ,  B60L53/14 ,  B60L53/80 ,  B64C1/061 ,  B64C1/30 ,  B64C25/001 ,  B64C39/024 ,  B64D1/10 ,  B64D1/12 ,  B64D1/22 ,  B64D27/24 ,  B64D31/00 ,  B64D41/00 ,  B64F1/32 ,  B64U20/70 ,  B66D1/48 ,  G05D1/0094 ,  G05D1/101 ,  G05D1/106 ,  G08G5/0069 ,  B60L2200/10 ,  B64D2045/0085 ,  B64U10/13 ,  B64U30/20 ,  B64U50/13 ,  B64U50/19 ,  B64U70/00 ,  B64U80/70 ,  B64U80/86 ,  B64U2101/60 ,  B64U2201/10

Abstract: A method according to certain embodiments generally involves operating a system including an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) and a base station. The base station includes a nest including an upper opening having an upper opening diameter and a lower opening having a lower opening diameter less than the upper opening diameter. The lower opening is accessible from within the base station. The method generally includes landing the UAV within the nest such that a portion of the UAV is accessible via the lower opening, releasably attaching a load to the UAV, and operating the UAV to deliver the load to a destination.

公开(公告)号：US20240043140A1

公开(公告)日：2024-02-08

申请号：US18380910

申请日：2023-10-17

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 ,  B64C1/30 ,  G05D1/00 ,  G08G5/00 ,  B64U20/70 ,  B64C1/06

CPC classification number: B64F1/364 ,  B64C39/024 ,  B64C25/001 ,  B60L53/14 ,  B60L53/80 ,  B60L50/66 ,  B60L5/36 ,  B64D27/24 ,  B64D31/00 ,  B64D41/00 ,  B64D1/10 ,  B66D1/48 ,  G05D1/101 ,  B64F1/32 ,  B64D1/12 ,  B64D1/22 ,  B64C1/30 ,  G05D1/106 ,  G05D1/0094 ,  G08G5/0069 ,  B64U20/70 ,  B64C1/061 ,  B60L2200/10 ,  B64D2045/0085

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, a plurality of arms extending outward from the chassis, a plurality of rotors, and a support structure mounted atop the chassis. Each rotor is mounted to a corresponding arm of the plurality of arms, is in communication with the control system, and is operable to generate lift under control of the control system. The support structure includes a plurality of arched struts that connect to one another at an apex region of the support structure.

公开(公告)号：US20240043139A1

公开(公告)日：2024-02-08

申请号：US18380888

申请日：2023-10-17

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 ,  B64C1/30 ,  G05D1/00 ,  G08G5/00 ,  B64U20/70 ,  B64C1/06

CPC classification number: B64F1/364 ,  B64C39/024 ,  B64C25/001 ,  B60L53/14 ,  B60L53/80 ,  B60L50/66 ,  B60L5/36 ,  B64D27/24 ,  B64D31/00 ,  B64D41/00 ,  B64D1/10 ,  B66D1/48 ,  G05D1/101 ,  B64F1/32 ,  B64D1/12 ,  B64D1/22 ,  B64C1/30 ,  G05D1/106 ,  G05D1/0094 ,  G08G5/0069 ,  B64U20/70 ,  B64C1/061 ,  B60L2200/10 ,  B64D2045/0085

Abstract: An example carriage is configured for mounting to an unmanned aerial vehicle. The carriage generally includes a housing assembly configured for mounting to the unmanned aerial vehicle, a movable grip mounted to the housing assembly for movement between a capturing position and a releasing position, a latch device, and a driver. The latch device has a latching state and an unlatching state, is configured to retain the movable grip in the capturing position when the latch device is in the latching state, and is configured to permit movement of the movable grip from the capturing position to the releasing position when in the unlatching state. The driver is operable to transition the latch device from the latching state to the unlatching state.

公开(公告)号：US11787563B2

公开(公告)日：2023-10-17

申请号：US17223421

申请日：2021-04-06

Applicant: Workhorse Group Inc.

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

IPC: B64U20/70 ,  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 ,  B64C1/30 ,  G05D1/00 ,  G08G5/00 ,  B64C1/06 ,  B64D45/00 ,  B64U10/13 ,  B64U30/20 ,  B64U50/13 ,  B64U50/19 ,  B64U70/00 ,  B64U80/70 ,  B64U80/86 ,  B64U101/60

CPC classification number: B64F1/364 ,  B60L5/36 ,  B60L50/66 ,  B60L53/14 ,  B60L53/80 ,  B64C1/061 ,  B64C1/30 ,  B64C25/001 ,  B64C39/024 ,  B64D1/10 ,  B64D1/12 ,  B64D1/22 ,  B64D27/24 ,  B64D31/00 ,  B64D41/00 ,  B64F1/32 ,  B64U20/70 ,  B66D1/48 ,  G05D1/0094 ,  G05D1/101 ,  G05D1/106 ,  G08G5/0069 ,  B60L2200/10 ,  B64D2045/0085 ,  B64U10/13 ,  B64U30/20 ,  B64U50/13 ,  B64U50/19 ,  B64U70/00 ,  B64U80/70 ,  B64U80/86 ,  B64U2101/60 ,  B64U2201/10

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, a plurality of arms extending outward from the chassis, a plurality of rotors, and a support structure mounted atop the chassis. Each rotor is mounted to a corresponding arm of the plurality of arms, is in communication with the control system, and is operable to generate lift under control of the control system. The support structure includes a plurality of arched struts that connect to one another at an apex region of the support structure.

公开(公告)号：US20220242590A1

公开(公告)日：2022-08-04

申请号：US17725926

申请日：2022-04-21

Applicant: Workhorse Group Inc.

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

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