An example carriage is configured for mounting to an unmanned aerial vehicle. The carriage generally includes a housing assembly configured for mounting to the unmanned aerial vehicle, a movable grip mounted to the housing assembly for movement between a capturing position and a releasing position, a latch device, and a driver. The latch device has a latching state and an unlatching state, is configured to retain the movable grip in the capturing position when the latch device is in the latching state, and is configured to permit movement of the movable grip from the capturing position to the releasing position when in the unlatching state. The driver is operable to transition the latch device from the latching state to the unlatching state.

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 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, a plurality of arms extending outward from the chassis, a plurality of rotors, and a support structure mounted atop the chassis. Each rotor is mounted to a corresponding arm of the plurality of arms, is in communication with the control system, and is operable to generate lift under control of the control system. The support structure includes a plurality of arched struts that connect to one another at an apex region of the support structure.

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 motor operable to lower a free end of a line. The free end of the line is operable to engage a parcel to be delivered by the unmanned aerial vehicle. The control system is configured to operate the motor to cause the free end of the line to accelerate toward a delivery surface as the free end of the line passes through a first portion of a distance between the unmanned aerial vehicle and the delivery surface, and to decelerate as the free end of the line passes through a lower portion of the distance.

An aircraft landing gear assembly having a bogie beam, first and second wheel assemblies mounted on the bogie beam on longitudinally opposite sides of the bogie beam with respect to a bogie mounting bearing, a jacking dome mounted on the bogie beam to face a ground plane, and a guard that is distinct from the jacking dome and removably coupled to the bogie beam on an opposite side of the jacking dome with respect to the bogie mounting bearing. The jacking dome projects towards the ground plane by a first distance, and the guard extends from the bogie beam towards the ground plane by a second distance which is at least 0.9 times the first distance.

A control method includes, when a landing gear of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) is at a zero position, controlling a yaw-axis motor of a gimbal of the UAV to rotate to different positions according to a specific strategy that includes the landing gear following the yaw-axis motor to rotate synchronously, determining an angle relationship parameter between a landing gear motor of the UAV and the yaw-axis motor by controlling the yaw-axis motor to rotate to the different positions, in a mode where the landing gear follows the yaw-axis to rotate, obtaining a real-time rotation angle of the yaw-axis motor, and controlling rotation of the landing gear motor according to the angle relationship parameter and the real-time rotation angle of the yaw-axis motor.

A multi-disk brake system comprises an electrical generator disposed therein. The electrical generator is configured to convert mechanical energy to electrical energy. The mechanical energy may be generated during a braking event of the multi-disk brake system. The electric generator may power various electrical components on the aircraft or store the electrical energy in a capacitor bank. The electric generator may also act as a motor and/or power a landing gear in a motor configuration.

A bushing is configured for installation in the hole of a lug, which has a protrusion extending radially inward from a surface of the hole. The bushing includes a first cylindrical body that is sized to be received within the hole of the lug. A flange extends radially outward from one end of the first cylindrical body, and a first recess is formed in the first cylindrical body to a radial face. The recess is sized and configured to receive the protrusion of the lug when the bushing is installed in the hole. Engagement of the protrusion with the recess preventing movement of the bushing relative to the lug.

An electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) vehicle is positioned to be in a charging position on the ground, wherein the eVTOL vehicle is capable of performing vertical take-offs and landings. The battery is charged while in the charging position on the ground using a wind turbine that includes the rotor.

A retainer for connecting two panels of a heat shield assembly, the retainer comprising: a central elongate panel having a length l and a width w, a top end, a bottom end and first and second long sides extending from the top end to the bottom end; a first side panel extending along the first long side of the central elongate panel and a second side panel extending along the second long side of the central elongate panel; a first U-shaped fold joining the central elongate panel first long side to the first side panel, and a second U-shaped fold joining the second long side to the second side panel.