A system for temporary storage and offloading of granular materials is presented. The system comprises a tank for storage of a granular material and a suction head for offloading granular material from the tank. The suction head comprises a lower end, an outlet for removing granular material from the suction head, and sidewalls, extending from the lower end to the outlet. The suction head ) further comprises at least one opening for the inflow of granular material into the suction head and one or more nozzles configured to emit a pressurized fluid. The one or more nozzles comprise one or more inner nozzles, configured to generate a helical flow within the suction head, and one or more outer nozzles, configured to generate a helical flow around the suction head in the same direction as the inner nozzles. Also presented is a method for storage and offloading of granular materials.

A dynamically controlled cargo loading system for an aircraft includes electrical cargo conveying devices for conveying cargo items on a cargo loading deck; speed sensors, which are configured to capture current conveying speeds of the cargo conveying devices and/or the conveyed cargo items; electrical measuring devices, which are configured to capture current electrical parameters of the cargo conveying devices; and a control device which is configured to control the cargo conveying devices depending on the captured current conveying speeds and/or the recoded current electrical parameters such that at least one of the following variables is optimized: the electrical power consumption of the cargo conveying devices, the mechanical wear of the cargo conveying devices, the mechanical load action on the cargo items, the conveying time of the cargo items and the noise generation during the conveying of the cargo items.

A dynamically controlled cargo loading system for an aircraft includes electrical cargo conveying devices for conveying cargo items on a cargo loading deck; speed sensors, which are configured to capture current conveying speeds of the cargo conveying devices and/or the conveyed cargo items; electrical measuring devices, which are configured to capture current electrical parameters of the cargo conveying devices; and a control device which is configured to control the cargo conveying devices depending on the captured current conveying speeds and/or the recoded current electrical parameters such that at least one of the following variables is optimized: the electrical power consumption of the cargo conveying devices, the mechanical wear of the cargo conveying devices, the mechanical load action on the cargo items, the conveying time of the cargo items and the noise generation during the conveying of the cargo items.

A package delivery system for enhanced delivery receivals including a door access panel, a first housing, a controller, a wireless communication interface, a delivery handling device, a second housing, and a transfer device. The door access panel may accept delivery of packages via a passageway that may be formed in a door. The first housing may be attached to the door access panel. The first housing may be in communication with the passageway to house packages delivered through the door access panel. The controller may selectively move the door between the opened position and the closed position. The delivery handling device may be moveable between an engaged position and a disengaged position. The second housing may be carried by the delivery handling device to receive a package from the first housing. The transfer device may move the package from the first housing to the second housing.

A row of docking stations to stow containers or trolleys is provided along at least one side of a van cargo storage area and a corridor for loading and unloading containers or trolleys individually or in groups from the rear of the van is provided. Preferably, the docking stations are automated. Interference with the storage and removal of containers or trolleys by the wheel wells of the vans or other vehicles is eliminated. Motorized mechanisms capture and lift the containers or trolleys above the level of the wheel wells for stowage in the docking stations to maximize the available storage area beyond that available on the floor of the cargo area. Individual containers or trolleys may be maintained in docking stations until needed.

A row of docking stations to stow containers or trolleys is provided along at least one side of a van cargo storage area and a corridor for loading and unloading containers or trolleys individually or in groups from the rear of the van is provided. Preferably, the docking stations are automated. Interference with the storage and removal of containers or trolleys by the wheel wells of the vans or other vehicles is eliminated. Motorized mechanisms capture and lift the containers or trolleys above the level of the wheel wells for stowage in the docking stations to maximize the available storage area beyond that available on the floor of the cargo area. Individual containers or trolleys may be maintained in docking stations until needed.

A center server manages first position information of a first delivery source where an article to be delivered is handled and an unmanned vehicle is deployed, and second position information of a second delivery source where the article is handled and no unmanned vehicle is deployed, and acquires attribute information of an article which is designated as a delivery target by a user and third position information of a delivery destination of the article. The center server selects, on the basis of attribute information of the article, a delivery method of a first delivery method for delivering the article handled at the first delivery source to the delivery destination by the unmanned vehicle or a second delivery method for delivering the article handled at the second delivery source to the delivery destination by an unmanned vehicle deployed at a base located at a place different from the second delivery source.

A center server manages first position information of a first delivery source where an article to be delivered is handled and an unmanned vehicle is deployed, and second position information of a second delivery source where the article is handled and no unmanned vehicle is deployed, and acquires attribute information of an article which is designated as a delivery target by a user and third position information of a delivery destination of the article. The center server selects, on the basis of attribute information of the article, a delivery method of a first delivery method for delivering the article handled at the first delivery source to the delivery destination by the unmanned vehicle or a second delivery method for delivering the article handled at the second delivery source to the delivery destination by an unmanned vehicle deployed at a base located at a place different from the second delivery source.

A cargo handling system. The cargo handling system includes a plurality of power drive units. Each power drive unit in the plurality of power drive units includes a drive roller, a motor configured to rotate the drive roller, and a controller. The controller is configured to directly communicate with at least one other power drive unit of the plurality of power drive units to drive cargo in a predetermined direction.

A cargo handling system. The cargo handling system includes a plurality of power drive units. Each power drive unit in the plurality of power drive units includes a drive roller, a motor configured to rotate the drive roller, and a controller. The controller is configured to directly communicate with at least one other power drive unit of the plurality of power drive units to drive cargo in a predetermined direction.