A vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) storage and launch system includes a UAV pod having a UAV pod processor and a UAV selectively enclosed in the UAV pod, the UAV having only two rotors.

An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) storage and launch system includes a UAV pod having an open position and a closed position, the closed position establishing an interior that is weather resistant to an environment external to the UAV pod and a vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) UAV enclosed in the UAV pod so that the UAV pod in the closed position provides a weather resistant interior for the VTOL UAV.

A delivery site and delivery method are provided, the delivery site includes: a building having a storage space configured to store an article and a drone apron configured to allow a drone to land thereon, an article receiving device at least partially arranged in the building and configured to receive an article unloaded from the drone on the drone apron, and an article sorting device arranged in the building, and configured to sort a received article into the storage space.

A ground handling facility (1) for passenger-transporting aircraft (100), in particular vertical takeoff and landing multicopters, including: at least one first platform (2) which is designed as a landing platform (2) for a passenger-transporting aircraft (100), wherein a) the at least one first platform is simultaneously designed as a takeoff platform for a passenger-transporting aircraft (100), or b) wherein a second platform (3) is provided which is designed as a takeoff platform (3) for a passenger-transporting aircraft (100); at least one region (4) which is designed as weather protection for the passengers and the aircraft (100), in particular by provision of a canopy; and at least one conveying device (5.1; 5.2; 5.3) for the aircraft (100) that is designed to move the aircraft (100) from the landing platform (2) through the region (4) to the takeoff platform (3), in which region there is provided at least one station (6.1-6.4) which is configured for a predetermined interaction with the aircraft (100).

The present invention is directed to multiple arrangements of a self-disengaging pitot tube cover, which can be triggered by a plurality of different environmental conditions while the cover admits to a plurality of different latching mechanisms and opening configurations to guarantee the expeditious, automatic removal of the pitot tube cover while avoiding damage or contamination of the pitot tube itself.

A device and a method for introducing a drone (3) to an area of interest (10) are presented. The drone delivery system (1) may include a housing (2), a drone (3), either a timer (4) or a receiver (49), a lock mechanism (8), and a biasing mechanism (48). The housing (2) further includes a pair of parts (6) with or without subparts (13). At least one sensor (7) is attached to the drone (3). The timer (4) or the receiver (49) is secured to the housing (2) and communicable with the lock mechanism (8) to control function thereof. The lock mechanism (8) is adapted to releasably secure the parts (6) or the subparts (13). The drone (3) is enclosed within the housing (2) in a CLOSED configuration (9) when the lock mechanism (8) is locked. The biasing mechanism (48) separates the parts (6) or the subparts (13) to an OPEN configuration (11) when the lock mechanism (8) is unlocked so that the drone (3) is not surrounded by the housing (2). The drone (3) is introducible to the area of interest (10) in the CLOSED configuration (9) and separable from the housing (2) in the OPEN configuration (11).

Disclosed are unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) facilities suitable for use by both emergency and non-emergency UAVs. The facilities comprise a housing having first and second moveable platforms. A cover is arranged above the second moveable platform. A drive system operates the first and second moveable platforms and the cover.

Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), including multi-processor UAVs with secured parameters, and associated systems, devices, and methods are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a UAV includes a flight controller configured to control flight operations of the UAV based at least in part on system parameters provided to the UAV. The UAV can additionally include an oversight processor configured to (i) monitor operations of the flight controller and (ii) intercede when the oversight processor determines the flight controller is operating in violation of the system parameters. In some embodiments, the system parameters are secured (e.g., digitally signed and/or encrypted) and provided to the UAV. In these and other embodiments, the UAV is configured to verify the secure systems parameters and/or to autonomously execute a flight plan after verifying the system parameters. In some embodiments, the system parameters define an operational envelope specifying airspace to which autonomous flight of the UAV is constrained.

A drone docking port (DDP) preferably mounted on a pole and having an openable and closable convertible top (CT), a docking plate having integrated battery wired or wireless recharging pads, and a control module. The control module (CM) is adapted to preferably autonomously control all functions of the DDP including actuation of the CT and relay of video, audio, and flight control information between the CM and a central monitoring center and/or emergency personnel. The DDP is preferable positioned in close proximity to an intended monitoring site. When the CT is in an open position, a drone may initiate flight from the DDP and when a drone flight is completed and a drone has re-docked therein, the CT may be closed to protect the drone docked therein from external weather. The DDP may further include Electro-Optical/Infra-Red (EO/IR) cameras and sensors to detect disruptive or other predetermined behavior.

A vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) storage and launch system includes a UAV pod having a UAV pod processor and a UAV selectively enclosed in the UAV pod, the UAV having only two rotors.