A method according to certain embodiments generally involves operating a system including an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) and a base station. The base station includes a nest including an upper opening having an upper opening diameter and a lower opening having a lower opening diameter less than the upper opening diameter. The lower opening is accessible from within the base station. The method generally includes landing the UAV within the nest such that a portion of the UAV is accessible via the lower opening, releasably attaching a load to the UAV, and operating the UAV to deliver the load to a destination.

A method according to certain embodiments generally involves operating a system including an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) and a base station. The base station includes a nest including an upper opening having an upper opening diameter and a lower opening having a lower opening diameter less than the upper opening diameter. The lower opening is accessible from within the base station. The method generally includes landing the UAV within the nest such that a portion of the UAV is accessible via the lower opening, releasably attaching a load to the UAV, and operating the UAV to deliver the load to a destination.

An unmanned aerial vehicle according to certain embodiments generally includes a chassis, a power supply mounted to the chassis, a control system operable to receive power from the power supply, at least one rotor operable to generate lift under control of the control system, and a winch mounted to the chassis. The winch includes a reel and a motor. The reel has a line wound thereon, the line having a free end. The reel includes a circumferential channel in which a wound portion of the line is wound onto the reel. The circumferential channel includes an inner portion, an outer portion, and a passage connecting the inner portion and the outer portion. The motor is operable to rotate the reel under control of the control system to thereby cause the line to wind onto and off of the reel, thereby causing the free end of the line to raise and lower.

An unmanned aerial vehicle according to certain embodiments generally includes a chassis, a power supply mounted to the chassis, a control system operable to receive power from the power supply, at least one rotor operable to generate lift under control of the control system, and a winch mounted to the chassis. The winch includes a reel and a motor. The reel has a line wound thereon, the line having a free end. The reel includes a circumferential channel in which a wound portion of the line is wound onto the reel. The circumferential channel includes an inner portion, an outer portion, and a passage connecting the inner portion and the outer portion. The motor is operable to rotate the reel under control of the control system to thereby cause the line to wind onto and off of the reel, thereby causing the free end of the line to raise and lower.

An example charging station for an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), the charging station generally including a nest and a charging device. The nest includes an upper portion and a lower portion. The upper portion defines an upper opening sized and shaped to receive a landing apparatus of the UAV, and a diameter of the nest reduces from a first diameter at the upper opening to a second diameter at the lower portion. The charging device is mounted in the nest, and includes a first contact pad and a second contact pad. The charging device is configured to apply a voltage differential across the first contact pad and the second contact pad such that the charging station is operable to charge a power supply of the UAV via the landing apparatus.

An example charging station for an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), the charging station generally including a nest and a charging device. The nest includes an upper portion and a lower portion. The upper portion defines an upper opening sized and shaped to receive a landing apparatus of the UAV, and a diameter of the nest reduces from a first diameter at the upper opening to a second diameter at the lower portion. The charging device is mounted in the nest, and includes a first contact pad and a second contact pad. The charging device is configured to apply a voltage differential across the first contact pad and the second contact pad such that the charging station is operable to charge a power supply of the UAV via the landing apparatus.

A method according to certain embodiments generally involves operating a system including an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) and a base station. The base station includes a nest including an upper opening having an upper opening diameter and a lower opening having a lower opening diameter less than the upper opening diameter. The lower opening is accessible from within the base station. The method generally includes landing the UAV within the nest such that a portion of the UAV is accessible via the lower opening, releasably attaching a load to the UAV, and operating the UAV to deliver the load to a destination.

A method according to certain embodiments generally involves operating a system including an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) and a base station. The base station includes a nest including an upper opening having an upper opening diameter and a lower opening having a lower opening diameter less than the upper opening diameter. The lower opening is accessible from within the base station. The method generally includes landing the UAV within the nest such that a portion of the UAV is accessible via the lower opening, releasably attaching a load to the UAV, and operating the UAV to deliver the load to a destination.

The present invention relates to the technical field of train power supply and operation control, and provides a three-rail power supply control system for an electrical railway train. Power supply rails in the system are divided into a first power supply rail, a second power supply rail, and a third power supply rail, wherein the first power supply rail, the second power supply rail, and a running rail constitute a three-phase AC power supply loop, and the third power supply rail and the running rail constitute a DC power supply loop. An AC-DC-AC variable voltage variable frequency device supplies power to a train traction motor by means of the three-phase AC power supply loop and current collectors. Frequency modulation and voltage regulation power supply is conducted by means of the AC-DC-AC variable voltage variable frequency device on the ground to achieve train driving and operation control. The DC power supply loop is powered by means of a rectifying device on the ground, and power is supplied to auxiliary electric equipment of the train by means of the current collectors. By changing the power supply mode of the system and optimizing the system structure, the weight and axle load of train-mounted equipment are effectively reduced, lightweight of the train is achieved, and the bearing efficiency of the train is improved, and moreover, automatic control and unmanned driving for train operation are achieved in the most economical way.

The present invention relates to the technical field of train power supply and operation control, and provides a three-rail power supply control system for an electrical railway train. Power supply rails in the system are divided into a first power supply rail, a second power supply rail, and a third power supply rail, wherein the first power supply rail, the second power supply rail, and a running rail constitute a three-phase AC power supply loop, and the third power supply rail and the running rail constitute a DC power supply loop. An AC-DC-AC variable voltage variable frequency device supplies power to a train traction motor by means of the three-phase AC power supply loop and current collectors. Frequency modulation and voltage regulation power supply is conducted by means of the AC-DC-AC variable voltage variable frequency device on the ground to achieve train driving and operation control. The DC power supply loop is powered by means of a rectifying device on the ground, and power is supplied to auxiliary electric equipment of the train by means of the current collectors. By changing the power supply mode of the system and optimizing the system structure, the weight and axle load of train-mounted equipment are effectively reduced, lightweight of the train is achieved, and the bearing efficiency of the train is improved, and moreover, automatic control and unmanned driving for train operation are achieved in the most economical way.