Patent classifications
B64D9/003
MULTICOPTER SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR TRANSFERRING GOODS
A multicopter system according to one aspect of the present invention includes a multicopter configured to fly in a state of holding a package and a mooring device that is installed at a target position of a flight of the multicopter and includes a linear member that extends in a predetermined direction from the target position, the multicopter including a reception portion that has the shape of a recess including an opening open toward one direction and is configured to receive the linear member via the opening.
MODULAR CONTAINER TRANSPORT SYSTEMS
Disclosed are apparatus, systems, and methods, including a ground transport drive container comprising an outer container having a cuboid shape and comprising a plurality of fittings for securing the outer container to another apparatus; and a drive wheel assembly. The drive wheel assembly comprises one or more wheels and a deployment mechanism secured to the one or more wheels. An actuating member actuates the drive wheel assembly between a stowed configuration and one or more deployed configurations. In the stowed configuration, the drive wheel assembly is housed entirely within the outer container. In the one or more deployed configurations, the drive wheel assembly extends from the outer container.
SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR LOADING AND SECURING PAYLOAD IN AN AIRCRAFT
In an aspect a system for loading and securing a payload in an electrical vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft may comprise a fuselage further comprising structural elements configured to provide physical support for the aircraft fuselage. An eVTOL aircraft may also comprise a swing nose, where a portion of the nose of the aircraft may swing on a hinge in a radial direction orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the aircraft. The hinge may be coupled to at least a portion of the fuselage and at least a portion of the nose of the aircraft. A latching mechanism may be configured to secure a payload in an aircraft fuselage. A conveyor mechanism may be configured to transport a payload into the fuselage from the opening of the aircraft.
Translating payload bay pallet for aircraft
A system is described and includes a first track assembly for connecting a top surface of a pallet supporting payload to an upper interior surface of a payload bay of an aircraft; a second track assembly for connecting a side surface of the pallet to a side interior surface of the payload bay; and a pallet actuator system for selectively moving the pallet along the first and second track assemblies between a first position in which the pallet is fully extended from the payload bay and a second position in which the pallet is fully retracted into the payload bay.
Systems and methods for assembling large cargo and loading it onto a cargo aircraft
Methods and systems for efficiently loading cargo transports, such as cargo aircraft, are described. The methods and systems rely upon payload profiles for various payloads where the payloads include repeatable payloads that have the same characteristics. Based on the payload profile, the payload is positioned at a designated location in an interior cargo bay of the cargo transport. The designated location is denoted by one or more pre-formed markings in the interior cargo bay that establish where a payload having the respective payload profile should be positioned in the bay. The payload can then be secured in the bay. Because the designated location accounts for centers of gravity, the payload can be loaded and secured in the bay without having to run various calculations each time a payload is loaded. Systems and methods related to how the payloads are packaged in an efficient, expeditious manner are also provided.
FREIGHT CARRIER FOR BEING RECEIVED IN THE FREIGHT REGION OF AN AIRCRAFT HAVING DISPLACEABLE ROLLER ELEMENTS
A freight carrier for a freight region of an aircraft, having a base element with a support side and roller elements. Each of the roller elements is retained on a retention member to be rotatable about a rotation axis, wherein each of the retention members is displaceable between a deployed position and a retracted position, wherein the spacing of the roller elements from the base face is greater in the deployed position. The rotation axes of the roller elements are in a common rotation axis plane when the retention members are in the deployed position, the roller elements retained on the base element so the rotation axis of each of the roller elements is rotatable about a vertical axis, wherein the vertical axis extends parallel with and with spacing from an axis which extends through the rotation axis of the roller element and perpendicularly to the rotation axis plane.
Devices and methods for extending aircraft cargo bays with replacement tailcones
Systems and methods for extending the interior cargo bay of fixed-wing cargo aircraft into a replaceable tailcone bay are disclosed. The system includes an aircraft and a removable tailcone configured couple to the aft end of the fuselage. The aircraft fuselage includes a cargo bay and an aft end opening into the cargo bay. The tailcone, when attached, encloses the aft end opening the cargo bay. The tailcone can include an interior volume configured to extend the fuselage cargo bay such that the interior volume defines an aft end of a cargo bay of the cargo aircraft. In some examples, the tailcone includes a plurality of segments, which can be configured to extend from the aft end of the aircraft to adjust a length of the cargo extension provided by the tailcone.
SYSTEMS, APPARATUS, AND METHODS FOR DETECTING AND VERIFYING AN ENVIRONMENTAL ANOMALY USING MULTIPLE COMMAND NODES
A system for detecting and verifying an environmental anomaly within a shipping container (transported on a transit vehicle having an external transceiver) has wireless sensor-based ID nodes at different locations within the container and multiple command nodes mounted to the container. A first command node is programmatically configured to be operative to detect the sensor data broadcasted from the ID nodes; responsively identify the anomaly based upon the sensor data detected by that command node; and transmit a validation request to another command node. The other command node is configured to be operative to also detect the sensor data broadcasted from the ID nodes; receive the validation request from the first command node; verify the anomaly in response to the validation request and based upon the sensor data detected by the second command node; and broadcast a verification message based upon whether the anomaly for the shipping container is verified.
ANTI-ROLLOUT ASSEMBLIES AND SYSTEMS FOR CARGO HANDLING SYSTEM
An anti-rollout assembly may comprise: a housing defining a cavity; a guide/restraint head pivotably coupled to the housing at a first end of the cavity; an overridable trigger pivotably coupled to the housing at a second end of the cavity, the second end opposite the first end; and a locking system operably coupled to the guide/restraint head and the overridable trigger, the locking system configured to bias the guide/restraint head into an upright position, the locking system configured to retract the guide/restraint head into the cavity in response to a first lateral force driving the overridable trigger. The locking system may comprise a drive link and a locking link and be configured to lock the guide/restraint head in a raised state.
Aircraft cargo platform assemblies and aircraft modular auxiliary fuselage fuel tank systems employing the same
Cargo load platform assemblies are especially adapted to provide support for a variety of cargo, such as auxiliary aircraft fuel tanks. According to certain embodiments herein, a load platform is provided which is adapted to being positioned onto a cargo deck of a cargo aircraft. At least one anti-rattle device is operatively associated with the load platform for positionally fixing the load platform to a tie-down ring of the cargo deck of a cargo aircraft. The cargo load platform may support a rigid fuel tank thereon so that auxiliary fuel tankage systems can be provided as may be needed.