An apparatus according to an embodiment includes a receptacle configured to be coupled to an aerial vehicle, a winch configured to be coupled to the receptacle and the aerial vehicle, and a grasper having a multi-bar linkage. The grasper is configured to be coupled to the winch by a tether. The multi-bar linkage of the grasper is configured to be releasably coupled to a package. The grasper is configured to be rotated to a predefined alignment as the winch raises the grasper and the grasper contacts the receptacle.

In an embodiment, an apparatus includes a first member, a second member configured to be coupled to a tether, a first link, a second link, a third link, and a fourth link. First end portions of the first and second links are each pivotably coupled to the second member. The third link has a distal end portion configured to interface with a package on a first side, a proximal end portion pivotably coupled to the first member, and an intermediate portion pivotably coupled to a second end portion of the first link. The fourth link has a distal end portion configured to interface with a package on a second side opposite the first side, a proximal end portion pivotably coupled to the first member, and an intermediate portion disposed between the distal and proximal end portions of the fourth link and pivotably coupled to a second end portion of the second link.

An apparatus according to an embodiment includes a winch and a grasper having a multi-bar linkage that can be releasably coupled to a package. A hook can be coupled to the winch and configured to be selectively releasably coupled to the package. The hook can move from a first position in which the hook is not coupled to the package to a second position in which the hook is coupled to the package, in response to an engagement signal sent by a controller coupled to the hook. The grasper can release, via the multi-bar linkage, the package (1) at a landing surface in response to the package being lowered by the tether and the package contacting the landing surface and (2) from a location a non-zero distance above the landing surface in response to the hook being moved from the second position towards the first position concurrently with a tension in the tether being removed or substantially reduced. The hook can move from the second position towards the first position in response to the controller sending a release signal.

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.

Automated systems for managing the curing of concrete employ drones that may be employed without contacting a surface of the concrete. The drones may include sensing drones, which may monitor one or more conditions of the concrete as it cures, application drones, which may apply moisture, curing aids, and/or other chemicals to the concrete to control the manner in which the concrete cures, and/or support drones that may carry conduits that extend between a source of moisture, a curing aid, and/or another chemical and an application drone to prevent the conduits from contacting the surface of the concrete. Such a system may also include a central control unit that receives information about the curing concrete and uses that information to manage curing of the concrete, including coordination of the movement and operation of various drones used to manage curing of the concrete.

Automated systems for managing the curing of concrete employ drones that may be employed without contacting a surface of the concrete. The drones may include sensing drones, which may monitor one or more conditions of the concrete as it cures, application drones, which may apply moisture, curing aids, and/or other chemicals to the concrete to control the manner in which the concrete cures, and/or support drones that may carry conduits that extend between a source of moisture, a curing aid, and/or another chemical and an application drone to prevent the conduits from contacting the surface of the concrete. Such a system may also include a central control unit that receives information about the curing concrete and uses that information to manage curing of the concrete, including coordination of the movement and operation of various drones used to manage curing of the concrete.

A device for attaching multiple components to power lines via drone. The invention includes a clamp which is attached to a power line following activation of an included trigger. Prior to activation on the power line the clamp is firmly attached to a drone payload arm. The payload arm attaches to the front of a drone and includes a track with a plurality of clamp attach points. The track can be rotated by a microcontroller and motor to allow installation of multiple clamps and attached payloads onto power lines in a single drone flight.

A device for attaching multiple components to power lines via drone. The invention includes a clamp which is attached to a power line following activation of an included trigger. Prior to activation on the power line the clamp is firmly attached to a drone payload arm. The payload arm attaches to the front of a drone and includes a track with a plurality of clamp attach points. The track can be rotated by a microcontroller and motor to allow installation of multiple clamps and attached payloads onto power lines in a single drone flight.

Methods and systems for navigating unmanned aircraft to capture images a consistent distance from a surface of a structure, such as a roof, are disclosed, including a system comprising a computer system having one or more processors and one or more non-transitory computer readable medium, the processor(s) executing instructions to cause the one or more processors to: generate unmanned aircraft information including flight path information for capturing images of a roof section having a plane, the flight path information configured to direct an unmanned aircraft to fly a flight path based at least in part on a pitch of the roof section and information from one or more sensor indicative of a location of the roof section, the flight path configured to include waypoints at which the unmanned aircraft captures images at a consistent distance from the plane of the roof section.

A door assembly for a fuselage of an aerial vehicle is described, including a pair of complementary door pieces, and an actuation mechanism that includes a first transmission member. The first transmission member actuates either one or both door pieces for portions thereof to be in a sliding action with respect to the fuselage while maintaining close conformity thereto as either one or both of them are actuated to either meet or separate. Further disclosed are various embodiments of the door assembly, and a related aerial vehicle and system for delivering goods.