Abstract:
A method for autonomous in-flight transfer of a load from a first Aerial Vehicle, AV, to a second AV is provided. Each of the first AV and the second AV includes a frame with a vertical opening for receiving the load. A plurality of rotors are attached to the frame. The method comprising autonomously performing the following in-flight: fastening means of the first AV hold the load in the vertical opening of the first AV such that a bottom end of the load is accessible by the second AV; the second AV approaches the first AV from below in order to couple a fastening means of the second AV to the bottom end of the load; the fastening means of the first AV releases the load after the fastening means of the second AV couples to the bottom end of the load; and the fastening means of the second AV lower the load with respect to the frame of the second AV in order to move the load into a flight position.
Abstract:
An articulated tractor (10) for towing an aircraft comprising a front section (10A) including an engine means (18) and a rear section (10B) pivoted to the front section (10a), the rear section (10B) defining a nose wheel clamp means (34) for engaging and raising the nose wheel (36) of an aircraft. In another embodiment the clamping force applied to the nose wheel (36) by the nose wheel clamp means (34) is proportional to the mass of the nose wheel (32). Still in another embodiment the nose wheel clamp means (34) are provided with relief valve means to relieve if the raising force applied to the nose wheel (36) increases beyond a predetermined limit.
Abstract:
An autonomous vehicle (AV) delivery system is configured to deliver a payload or package in a rural and/or urban environment. The AV delivery system includes a first autonomous vehicle (AV). The first AV is configured to travel between a payload receiving location and a payload drop location. The AV delivery system further includes a second autonomous vehicle (AV) coupled to the first AV. The second AV is coupled to a payload and configured to travel between the first AV and a designated drop target adjacent to a ground or receiving surface at the payload drop location.
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 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:
The present invention provides a carrier-borne aircraft takeoff/landing system comprising a takeoff auxiliary mechanism and/or an integrated runway which are/is positioned on the aircraft carrier. The takeoff auxiliary mechanism can be a sliding vehicle or a simple pendulum type projectile mechanism, the integrated runway is a carrier-borne aircraft runway which can be extended out of the aircraft carrier. The carrier-borne aircraft takeoff/landing system of the present invention concentrates the advantages of current ways of catapult launch and ski-jump takeoff and abandons the faults existed, which can reduce the difficulties and risks involved during the traditional landing. The takeoff/landing system which is outstanding for its simple structure, significantly reduced research cost and energy consumption, with improved efficiency, easy operation and maintenance, high reliability, which are applicable to various carrier-borne aircraft for take off and/or landing.
Abstract:
A system for warning the driver (8) of a vehicle (2) towing an aircraft (1) comprises four transmitters (9a to 9d) which are carried by observers positioned adjacent to the nose, the tail and the wing tips of the aircraft. A receiver (4) and a siren (7) are positioned within the vehicle (2). The siren (7) is operatively associated with the receiver (4). The system is such that actuation of a transmitter (9a, 9b, 9c or 9d) transmits a warning signal to the receiver (4) which triggers the siren (7).
Abstract:
The invention relates to an aircraft ground support unit (1) (GSU) for supplying a specific service according to a specific set of service parameters to an aircraft (2) on the ground and consuming a specific service energy for supplying the specific service as a whole in a given available service duration, the GSU comprising: a rechargeable energy storage unit (3) (RESU) which, when fully charged, is configured for autonomously delivering the specific service energy required for supplying the specific service in the given available service duration, an energy sensor (4) configured for measuring an instantaneous state of energy parameters of the RESU, a control unit (5) configured for, • identifying the aircraft (2), preferably including an aircraft type and an airline, • identifying in the database the specific set of service parameters of the specific service to the thus identified aircraft, • establishing a specific service energy budget estimate corresponding to the specific set of service parameters in various ways, • determining an instantaneous charge level of the RESU based on the instantaneous state of the energy variables, • comparing the specific service energy budget estimate with the instantaneous charge level of the RESU, and for • generating an output signal representative of a capacity of the RESU to deliver the specific service energy budget estimate as a function of the instantaneous charge level of the RESU.