An aircraft includes: a plurality of rotor units each including a propeller and a motor that drives the propeller; a plurality of shock absorbers including a first shock absorber and a second shock absorber different from the first shock absorber, the first shock absorber defining a first gas chamber containing a first gas that is less dense than air; and a release unit that is disposed on the first shock absorber and configured to release the first gas contained in the first gas chamber at a predetermined timing.

In one aspect, an example system includes: (i) a base including a bottom surface and a first coupling-point; (ii) a vertically-oriented elongate structure comprising a lower end, an upper end, and an inner channel, wherein the inner channel comprises an upper access-point disposed proximate the upper end, wherein the base is coupled to the elongate structure proximate the lower end; (iii) a deployable cushioning-device coupled to the elongate structure; and (iv) a tether comprising a first portion, a second portion, a third portion, and a fourth portion, wherein the first portion is coupled to the first coupling-point, the second portion is coupled to a second coupling-point of the UAV, the third portion extends through the inner channel, the fourth portion extends from the upper access-point to the second coupling-point, and the fourth portion has a length that is less than a distance between the upper access-point and the bottom surface.

Fuselage configurations in which window seats project into and partially occupy inter-frame spaces. In accordance with some embodiments, a frame in proximity to a window seat is equipped with a riser duct closure cover for defining a riser duct for passing a volume of air through a supply duct located below a floor of a passenger cabin through the riser duct and through a crown distribution duct located above a ceiling of the passenger cabin. In accordance with other embodiments, the frames in proximity to window seats are equipped with respective airbags. More specifically, for each pair of adjacent frames in which the forward frame of the pair is located forward of the window seat, the aft frame of the pair is located aft of the window seat, the forward frame is equipped with an airbag.

An aircraft includes: a plurality of rotor units each including a propeller and a motor that drives the propeller; a balloon that laterally covers the plurality of rotor units, across the height of the plurality of rotor units in the up-and-down direction; a camera that protrudes, along a predetermined axis, beyond the balloon; and a holding component that holds the camera and whose overall length can be shortened along the predetermined axis.

To provide a flying object including a lift generating member deployment device that makes it easier than before to automatically avoid collision with an obstacle. A flying object 30 includes an obstacle detecting unit 5, a control unit 6, a battery 7, a storage unit 8 that stores information transmitted from the control unit 6, a transmitting/receiving unit 9 that receives an operation signal from a controller 40 and transmits information regarding the flying object 30 to the controller 40, and others. The obstacle detecting unit 5 is to detect the altitude of the flying object 30 and outputs an altitude detection signal, which represents the detected altitude information, to the control unit 6. In addition, upon detecting an obstacle present within a predetermined distance, the obstacle detecting unit 5 outputs an obstacle detection signal to the control unit 6, detects the distance between the flying object body 31 and the obstacle, and outputs a distance detection signal, which represents the detected distance information, to the control unit 6. The control unit 6 determines whether or not to actuate left and right brake cord pulling devices 10 in accordance with the signal received from the obstacle detecting unit 5.

An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) airbag may protect protection for a UAV or other objects when making contact with one another. The UAV airbag may at least partially surround the UAV while allowing the UAV to remain at least partially operable. In some embodiments, the UAV airbag may be inflated just prior to making contact with another object. After inflation, the UAV airbag may be at least partially sealed to reduce or inhibit deflation of the UAV airbag, but possibly not to completely prevent airflow from the UAV airbag upon contact with another object. The UAV airbag may exhaust some air upon impact, thereby reducing a deceleration of a UAV contained inside of the UAV airbag.

In one aspect, an example system includes: (i) a base including a bottom surface and a first coupling-point; (ii) a vertically-oriented elongate structure comprising a lower end, an upper end, and an inner channel, wherein the inner channel comprises an upper access-point disposed proximate the upper end, wherein the base is coupled to the elongate structure proximate the lower end; (iii) a deployable cushioning-device coupled to the elongate structure; and (iv) a tether comprising a first portion, a second portion, a third portion, and a fourth portion, wherein the first portion is coupled to the first coupling-point, the second portion is coupled to a second coupling-point of the UAV, the third portion extends through the inner channel, the fourth portion extends from the upper access-point to the second coupling-point, and the fourth portion has a length that is less than a distance between the upper access-point and the bottom surface.

A protective assembly includes a gas bag and a fuel container which includes a first wall. The fuel container is positioned within an aircraft and the gas bag extends along the first wall of the fuel container. A method for assembling a protective assembly includes the step of positioning a gas bag within an aircraft such that the gas bag extends along a first wall of a fuel container.

Multi-chamber airbag systems for use in aircraft and other vehicles are described herein. In some embodiments, an occupant restraint system includes a multi-chamber airbag that deploys from an occupant restraint (e.g., a lap seat belt) in an aircraft. The multi-chamber airbag can include a first portion that inflates generally upward in front of the occupant's torso, and a second portion that inflates in front of the first portion. The first portion and/or the second portion can include multiple chambers (e.g., generally cylindrical-shaped chambers) that, when inflated, provide the airbag with a shape and/or contact surfaces which can help to maintain the position of the airbag between the occupant and a strike object or hazard. In other embodiments, multi-chamber airbags configured in accordance with the present disclosure can me mounted to a structure (e.g., a monument, console, seat back, etc.) positioned generally in front of the occupant. The structure-mounted airbag can deploy generally toward the occupant in the event of a vehicle impact or other potentially harmful event to protect the occupant from impact injury.

A personal air vehicle may feature an air module that may be attached to a ground module. The air module may be equipped with exit vanes or vectored engine exhaust to provide redundant control effectors to the cyclic or collective pitch of at least one rotary wing under the control of a control system.