公开(公告)号：US20170355460A1

公开(公告)日：2017-12-14

申请号：US15179585

申请日：2016-06-10

Applicant: X Development LLC

Inventor： Trevor Shannon ,  Zhefei Li

IPC: B64D1/02 ,  B64D9/00 ,  B64D3/00 ,  B64C39/02

CPC classification number: B64D1/02 ,  B64C39/024 ,  B64C2201/042 ,  B64C2201/127 ,  B64C2201/128 ,  B64C2201/141 ,  B64C2201/145 ,  B64C2201/146 ,  B64D3/00 ,  B64D9/00

Abstract: Described herein are apparatuses for passively releasing a payload of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). An example apparatus may include, among other features, (i) a housing; (ii) a swing arm coupled to the housing, wherein the swing arm is operable to toggle between an open position and a closed position; (iii) a spring mechanism adapted to exert a force on the swing arm from the open position toward the closed position; (iv) a receiving system of a UAV adapted to receive the housing, wherein the receiving system causes the swing arm to be arranged in the open position; and (v) a spool operable to unwind and wind a tether coupled to the housing, wherein unwinding the tether causes a descent of the housing from the receiving system, and wherein winding the tether causes an ascent of the housing to the receiving system.

公开(公告)号：US20180072418A1

公开(公告)日：2018-03-15

申请号：US15389138

申请日：2016-12-22

Applicant: X Development LLC

Inventor： Trevor Shannon ,  Andre Prager ,  Zhefei Li ,  Kyle Liske

IPC: B64D1/12 ,  B64C39/02 ,  B64D1/22 ,  G06Q10/08

Abstract: An unmanned aerial vehicle system is provided including an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) having a fuselage, a tether having a first end secured to a winch system positioned in the UAV and a second end secured to a payload coupling apparatus, a payload coupling apparatus receptacle positioned in the fuselage of the UAV, a payload having a handle, wherein the handle of the payload is positioned within a slot in the payload coupling apparatus. A method of securing a payload to a UAV is also provided.