B64F3/00

TETHERED ROBOTIC SYSTEM WITH ENHANCED MOBILITY
20210292007 · 2021-09-23 ·

An unmanned robot system for a tethered robot, for example, a tethered aircraft, is disclosed. The unmanned system, in one embodiment, includes an unmanned aircraft tethered to a ground station by a tether cable. In one embodiment, an aerial winch and cable unit is provided on the aircraft to manage cable release. Alternatively, winch and cable units may be provided on both the aircraft and ground station. As the aircraft is now able to freely operate cable release to overcome any disturbances along the cable length, the operational effectiveness of the aircraft is greatly improved.

Aerial spraying apparatus, unmanned aerial vehicle system, and unmanned aerial vehicle

An aerial spraying apparatus (unmanned aerial vehicle system) includes one or more drones (unmanned aerial vehicles), and a station on the ground that is connected by wire to at least one of the one or more drones. Each of the one or more drones is equipped with a drone side cable connected to the station or another drone, and a drone side cable mechanism that performs paying out or pulling in of the drone side cable.

SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR MODULAR UNMANNED VEHICLES
20210171198 · 2021-06-10 ·

An unmanned vehicle (UV) is provided. The UV comprises an aircraft component, an interposer component electrically and mechanically coupled to the aircraft component, and a payload component electrically and mechanically coupled to the interposer component. The interposer component comprising a processor and a memory storing instructions which when executed by the processor configured the processor to receive a communication from one of the aircraft component or the payload component, and sent the communication to the other of the aircraft component or the payload component.

SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR MODULAR UNMANNED VEHICLES
20210171198 · 2021-06-10 ·

An unmanned vehicle (UV) is provided. The UV comprises an aircraft component, an interposer component electrically and mechanically coupled to the aircraft component, and a payload component electrically and mechanically coupled to the interposer component. The interposer component comprising a processor and a memory storing instructions which when executed by the processor configured the processor to receive a communication from one of the aircraft component or the payload component, and sent the communication to the other of the aircraft component or the payload component.

MONITORING SYSTEM AND POWER SUPPLY CONTROL METHOD

A power supply control method and a monitoring system configured to implement the power supply control method are provided. The monitoring system includes a base station, a drone, and a processor. The base station includes a charging device. The charging device includes a power supply connector and a power source coupled to the power supply connector and outputting electric power through the power supply connector. The drone includes a battery configured to provide electric power to the drone and a charging connector configured to connect the battery and the power supply connector. When the charging connector is connected to the power supply connector, the processor determines an abnormal situation on the power supply connector or the drone according to an electrical characteristic during charging the battery by the power source. The abnormal situation is associated with a foreign object formed on the power supply connector or the drone.

PAYLOAD RELEASE SYSTEM FOR VERTICAL LAUNCH
20210179248 · 2021-06-17 · ·

The technology provides a launch rig structure capable of filling a very large balloon envelope while the balloon is arranged vertically. The filled balloon is capable of staying aloft in the stratosphere with its payload for months or longer. The launch rig structure is configured to rotate up to 360° in response to current wind conditions. It includes an integrated lifting boom and gas handling system to fill the envelope. A payload release assembly is configured to couple with a rigid connection member of the balloon, enabling the envelope to be filled while in a vertical orientation. The payload release assembly is part of a launch cart that is positioned within the interior space of the launch rig. A gripper assembly engages with the rigid connection member. Once the envelope is filled, the gripper assembly disengages from the connection member so that the balloon floats away from the launch rig.

System and method for generating power

A power generation system includes an aircraft that includes a propulsor and a platform attached to a structure and configured to support the aircraft. The propulsor is configured to generate electrical power via a wind rotating the propulsor while the aircraft is supported by the platform. A method for using a propulsor of an aircraft to generate electrical power includes positioning the aircraft such that the aircraft is supported by a structure and generating the electrical power via a wind rotating the propulsor while the aircraft is supported by the structure.

High-Place Observation Device
20210149279 · 2021-05-20 · ·

[Object] To provide a high-place observation device for stably performing a fixed-point observation of a target object from a high place. [Solution] Provides a long pole 30 which is formed to extend and contract freely and which stands on the installation surface E, a rotorcraft 40 for positioning the pole 30 to a desirable height position by extending and contracting the pole 30 by a floating force in a connected state, a winding mechanism 22 which fixes and maintains the height position of the pole 30 to the height position set by the rotorcraft 40, and a camera 50 attached to the rotorcraft 40.

High-Place Observation Device
20210149279 · 2021-05-20 · ·

[Object] To provide a high-place observation device for stably performing a fixed-point observation of a target object from a high place. [Solution] Provides a long pole 30 which is formed to extend and contract freely and which stands on the installation surface E, a rotorcraft 40 for positioning the pole 30 to a desirable height position by extending and contracting the pole 30 by a floating force in a connected state, a winding mechanism 22 which fixes and maintains the height position of the pole 30 to the height position set by the rotorcraft 40, and a camera 50 attached to the rotorcraft 40.

LAUNCH AND LAND SYSTEM FOR A TETHERED AIRCRAFT
20210107685 · 2021-04-15 ·

Launch and land system for a tethered aircraft (in connection with FIG. 1) The invention provides for a launch and land system (1) for a tethered aircraft (90) comprising a runway (12) for the aircraft and a winch (62) for the tether (92), wherein the runway comprises a funnel-shaped target area (14) with a wide end oriented towards one end of the runway and a narrow end opposite of the wide end, wherein said target area is laterally bordered by restriction devices (80) extending from one end of the target area to the other for preventing the aircraft to roll out of the target area.