A system for the remote care of an item of vegetation used as a potential source of food for an animal, to include at least one of a proximity tag, RFID tag, transponder device, a predetermined machine-readable pattern, and geo-location device associated with the item of vegetation, and an aerial drone. The aerial drone includes a microprocessor, a sensor coupled to the microprocessor and configured to detect the at least one of the proximity tag, RFID tag, transponder device, predetermined machine-readable pattern, and the geo-location device, and a carrier configured to carry a substance comprising at least one of a solid, gas, and liquid. The aerial drone is configured to act in response to instructions issued by the microprocessor.

According to some examples of the presently disclosed subject matter there is provided a system and method for deploying a plurality of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) by an airborne carrier aircraft for dispersing payload material, each UAV comprising at least one container containing payload material and being configured to disperse the payload material at a designated dispersion area in an event site.

According to some examples of the presently disclosed subject matter there is provided a system and method for deploying a plurality of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) by an airborne carrier aircraft for dispersing payload material, each UAV comprising at least one container containing payload material and being configured to disperse the payload material at a designated dispersion area in an event site.

The present invention is an Electric servo system which controls and automates gate openings based on GPS speed and position data that results in precise and reliable modern variable and constant rate application. The Electric servo system also allows for Mechanical gate linkages to remain intact, resulting in few changes to the aircraft and redundancy of emergency components. A Mechanical input connect/disconnect is used to effortlessly transfer between the automated Electric servo system and the Mechanical gate system.

The present invention is an Electric servo system which controls and automates gate openings based on GPS speed and position data that results in precise and reliable modern variable and constant rate application. The Electric servo system also allows for Mechanical gate linkages to remain intact, resulting in few changes to the aircraft and redundancy of emergency components. A Mechanical input connect/disconnect is used to effortlessly transfer between the automated Electric servo system and the Mechanical gate system.

A dump gate system for a fluid hopper in a firefighting aircraft. A gate sealably engages a gate opening in the hopper at a closed position. The gate is hingedly connected about the gate opening, and a drive shaft is supported within the hopper. A crank arm is fixed to the drive shaft and is further coupled to the gate by a connecting link. The crank arm and the connecting link define an over-center geometry while the gate is at the closed position, such that weight of the fluid on the gate induces torque on the drive shaft in a gate-closing direction. An electric motor is selectively coupled to rotate the drive shaft in a gate-opening direction to thereby enable control of the fluid flow from the hopper according to an angular position of the drive shaft.

Some example systems and methods for retrofitting bulk product dispersal mechanism of aircrafts (e.g., aerial crop dusters, air tankers, airplanes and helicopters) involve replacing one link of the dispersal mechanism's linkage assembly with a powered linear actuator. The linkage assembly connects a manually operated lever in the cockpit to a movable gate at an outlet of a bulk container of the aircraft. The bulk container carries a bulk product, such as dry fertilizer or fire extinguishing liquid. In some examples, the pilot can operate the lever to control the release and aerial dispersion of the bulk material. With the powered linear actuator, however, the lever can be latched at a stationary position, while the powered linear actuator extends or retracts to respectively open or close the gate. In an emergency, a brake on the linear actuator allows the pilot to seamlessly switch from a power mode to a manual mode.

Some example systems and methods for retrofitting bulk product dispersal mechanism of aircrafts (e.g., aerial crop dusters, air tankers, airplanes and helicopters) involve replacing one link of the dispersal mechanism's linkage assembly with a powered linear actuator. The linkage assembly connects a manually operated lever in the cockpit to a movable gate at an outlet of a bulk container of the aircraft. The bulk container carries a bulk product, such as dry fertilizer or fire extinguishing liquid. In some examples, the pilot can operate the lever to control the release and aerial dispersion of the bulk material. With the powered linear actuator, however, the lever can be latched at a stationary position, while the powered linear actuator extends or retracts to respectively open or close the gate. In an emergency, a brake on the linear actuator allows the pilot to seamlessly switch from a power mode to a manual mode.

According to an aspect, a computer-implemented method for water volume estimation includes detecting water based at least in part on sensor-based data; determining a volume of water based at least in part on the sensor-based data; determining a location at the water for an aircraft to retrieve water via a water retrieving apparatus; and translating the location of the water into pilot inputs to guide the aircraft to the water.

According to an aspect, a computer-implemented method for water volume estimation includes detecting water based at least in part on sensor-based data; determining a volume of water based at least in part on the sensor-based data; determining a location at the water for an aircraft to retrieve water via a water retrieving apparatus; and translating the location of the water into pilot inputs to guide the aircraft to the water.