An example method of manufacturing a wing includes providing a wing frame. The wing frame includes a primary spar, a drag spar, a plurality of transverse frame elements having at least one spar joiner, and a plurality of mounting elements. The primary spar is coupled to the drag spar via the at least one spar joiner. The method further includes placing the wing frame into a mold, wherein the mold defines a shape of the wing. The method also includes injecting the mold with an air-filled matrix material, such that the air-filled matrix material substantially encases the wing frame and fills the defined shape of the wing, and such that the plurality of transverse frame elements provide torsional rigidity to the wing.

In some examples, an apparatus comprises a surface and at least one flange extending from the surface. The fitting is operable to rotate from a first angular position to a second angular position based on contact between the at least one flange and a fastener and a torque applied to the fastener. In the first angular position, a gap separates the at least one flange from a barrier. In the second angular position, the at least one flange prevents rotation of the fastener based on contact between the barrier and the at least one flange. In some embodiments, the at least one flange comprises a plurality of flanges.

A component alignment system for an aircraft includes a first component having a first surface including first shaped projections that repeat in at least two directions along the first surface. The component alignment system also includes a second component having a second surface including second shaped projections that repeat in at least two directions along the second surface. The first shaped projections are complementary to the second shaped projections such that the first surface is translationally and rotationally constrained relative to the second surface when the first and second shaped projections are in an interlocked position.

An unmanned vehicle including a body and a frame structure extending from the body and supporting a plurality of propeller assemblies, each propeller assembly including at least one propeller and a corresponding motor with the motor housed in a watertight housing or coated and made corrosion resistant. The propellers comprise a first subset of propellers of the propeller assemblies and a second subset of propellers of the propeller assemblies which rotate in a plane positioned below a plane in which the first subset of propellers rotate, wherein said first and second subset of propellers are configured for independent operation of one another as the vehicle transitions from an air medium to a water medium.

A payload module of a stratospheric drone including a casing (10), and payload equipment contained in the casing (10), wherein the casing includes a support structure (12) and a cover (15), the support structure being suitable for attachment to the drone at the front end thereof, relative to the direction of movement of the drone, and for extending forward from said front end, and in that the cover (15) and the payload equipment are supported by the support structure (12).

A battery assembly is configured to be installed on a drone. The battery assembly includes a battery, a chassis and some of swing arms. The chassis has a space within and is configured to accommodate the battery. The swing arms are pivotally connected with the chassis respectively and are located in the space. Each of the swing arms has a hook and a bump. The hooks at least partially face to each other. The bumps at least partially face to each other. When the battery is located in the space, the bumps are compressed by the battery to make the swing arms respectively rotate relative to the chassis, such that the hooks move close to each other and the battery is buckled and fixed in the space. At least one electrical connector located on the hooks contacts a conductor located on a side of the battery.

The invention relates to aviation equipment. An object of this invention is to develop a new aerodynamic device which can extend the range of aerodynamic devices for aviation, increase the efficiency of the air flow power use, increase the efficiency of the lifting force and improve the efficiency of controlling the wing resultant forces. For this purpose, the aerodynamic device has an aerodynamic wing (2) with a blower (1) of gaseous working fluid (such as air) mounted above the wing (2), in accordance with the invention, the aerodynamic wing (2) has a specific shape it is designed in the form of a double-curved open surface made up by a system of longitudinal grooves (7,8) along the whole wing surface The wing (2) has a convergent segment (4) and a divergent segment (6); between the convergent and the divergent segments there is a smooth transitional segment (5). The wing outlines have end elements (11). In the convergent and the divergent segments of the wing lower surface which is not blown by air, there is a controlled drive system (10) for the wing surface cambering and area changing. The divergent segment tip on the wing trailing edge has a deflectable controlled element (9). The structural parts of the present invention meet special conditions.

An apparatus, system, and/or method for carrying a power line device from an aircraft, such as an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), and for performing work on electrical power lines and/or splices on electrical power lines. The apparatus or system may include an attachment flange selectively and releasably coupled to the aircraft, a payload support frame selectively and releasably coupled to the attachment flange, an intermediary frame selectively and releasably coupled to the payload support frame, and a base frame selectively and releasably coupled to the power line device. The payload support frame may include at least three elongated rigid segments, each including a hollow elongated pole, at least three upper flexible segments, each at an upper end of a corresponding rigid segment, and at least three lower flexible segments, each at a lower end of a corresponding rigid segment.

An apparatus, system, and/or method for carrying a power line device from an aircraft, such as an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), and for performing work on electrical power lines and/or splices on electrical power lines. The apparatus or system may include an attachment flange selectively and releasably coupled to the aircraft, a payload support frame selectively and releasably coupled to the attachment flange, an intermediary frame selectively and releasably coupled to the payload support frame, and a base frame selectively and releasably coupled to the power line device. The payload support frame may include at least three elongated rigid segments, each including a hollow elongated pole, at least three upper flexible segments, each at an upper end of a corresponding rigid segment, and at least three lower flexible segments, each at a lower end of a corresponding rigid segment.

In a general aspect, a handheld controller device includes a housing and a trigger assembly. The housing is configured to be held in the hands of a user. The trigger assembly includes a pair of triggers extending outward from a side of the handheld controller device and configured to move along respective trigger paths. The trigger assembly also includes a guide and coupling assemblies. The guide assembly is disposed inside the housing and includes, for each trigger, a channel that extends at least partially along the trigger path of the trigger. The coupling assembly is disposed inside the housing and is connected to the pair of triggers. The coupling assembly is configured to transfer motion between the pair of triggers such that, when one trigger moves towards the housing along its respective trigger path, the coupling assembly moves the other trigger away from the housing along its trigger path.