An impact mitigation system for an aircraft and method of deploying the impact mitigation system is disclosed. A state parameter of the aircraft is obtained. The state parameter is used with an aircraft performance model to determine an acceleration capability of the aircraft. A trajectory of the aircraft is predicted using the state parameter of the aircraft and the acceleration capability of the aircraft. A location of an object with respect to the aircraft is determined and the impact mitigation system is deployed when the predicted trajectory indicates a contact with the object at a predicted contact velocity higher than a threshold velocity at a future time.

An impact mitigation system for an aircraft and method of deploying the impact mitigation system is disclosed. A state parameter of the aircraft is obtained. The state parameter is used with an aircraft performance model to determine an acceleration capability of the aircraft. A trajectory of the aircraft is predicted using the state parameter of the aircraft and the acceleration capability of the aircraft. A location of an object with respect to the aircraft is determined and the impact mitigation system is deployed when the predicted trajectory indicates a contact with the object at a predicted contact velocity higher than a threshold velocity at a future time.

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.

A sensor (1) comprising a casing (2) delimiting an internal volume (3) and having a passage (31) between the internal volume and a first external zone (Z1) external to the casing; a moving part (4) moveable inside the internal volume (3); detector (5) for detecting a movement of the moving part (4) comprising a detection portion (51) extending in the passage (31) and having a groove (52) open to the outside of the detection portion (51), the groove (52) extending between the first external zone (Z1) external to the casing and the internal volume (3) internal to the casing. The sensor (1) comprises first sealing structure (14) positioned around the detection portion (51) inside the passage (31), the first sealing structure (14) being arranged in such a way as to prevent fluid from passing between the internal volume (3) and the first external zone (Z1) via the groove (52).

An aircraft spring assembly includes a helical spring having a hollow core. A polymer damping member is confined within the core and is narrower than the internal spring diameter so as to be free to move along the core.

A tail skid shock absorber including an outer shock absorber canister, a crushable indicator cartridge disposed within the outer shock absorber canister, and an indicator rod coupled to the crushable indicator cartridge so as to move with a portion of the crushable indicator cartridge as a unit.

A dynamic bearing for an aircraft landing gear. The bearing comprises a lug, a shaft comprising a first material, and a bearing surface comprising a second material that is softer than the first material. The bearing surface defines a bore and is arranged to support the shaft when the shaft is movably housed within the bore in use. The bearing surface is defined by the lug or a coating applied to the lug.

The present disclosure relates to unmanned aerial vehicles (“UAVs”), systems, and methods for efficiently and safely landing while improving flight performance. In particular, the disclosure incudes a light-weight, gravity-fed, self-deploying landing gear assembly that aligns to the direction of the runway upon landing. For example, the landing gear assembly can include a pin switch and a tear-through barrier that releases and deploys the landing gear assembly. Additionally, the landing gear assembly can include castering wheels that rotate (i.e., swivel) while the UAV is in flight. Furthermore, the landing gear assembly can include friction-disks to reduce the rotation of the castering wheels when the landing gear assembly contacts the ground and receives the weight of the UAV. Moreover, the landing gear assembly can detect that the UAV has landed and can signal the UAV to initiate a roll stop mechanism.

An aircraft landing gear assembly (112) including a shock absorber strut (114), a bogie (120), a link assembly (124), and a movement detector (132). The shock absorber strut includes an upper and a lower telescoping parts (118, 116), the upper part being connectable to the airframe of an aircraft and the lower part being connected to the bogie such that the bogie may adopt different pitch angles. The link assembly extends between the upper and lower telescoping parts, such that relative movement between the upper and lower telescoping parts causes relative movement between parts of the link assembly. The movement detector is arranged to detect movement of the link assembly relative to the bogie. The movement detector detects movement by sensing a change in linear displacement of, or angle between, one or more members.

A magnetic end effector utilizing a switchable Halbach array includes a pair of opposing members that can move towards and away from each other. The switchable Halbach arrays are located on or near the inner surface of the opposing members. A mechanical switching system is used to control the switchable Halbach arrays by moving one or more magnets that make up the switchable Halbach arrays. When manipulated in a certain way, the switchable Halbach arrays cause the opposing members to move towards each other, and when manipulate in a different manner, cause the opposing members to move away from each other.