An unmanned aerial vehicle for non-destructive testing includes: an outer protective cage, a propulsion system mounted inside the outer protective cage and fixed thereto, an arm having a first end attached to the outer protective cage, and a non-destructive testing sensor mounted at a second end of the arm. The arm extends outward from the outer protective cage, the arm having a length between 1 and 50 percent of an overall linear dimension of the outer protective cage.

An unmanned aerial vehicle for non-destructive testing includes: an outer protective cage, a propulsion system mounted inside the outer protective cage and fixed thereto, an arm having a first end attached to the outer protective cage, and a non-destructive testing sensor mounted at a second end of the arm. The arm extends outward from the outer protective cage, the arm having a length between 1 and 50 percent of an overall linear dimension of the outer protective cage.

An introduced autonomous aerial vehicle can include multiple cameras for capturing images of a surrounding physical environment that are utilized for motion planning by an autonomous navigation system. In some embodiments, the cameras can be integrated into one or more rotor assemblies that house powered rotors to free up space within the body of the aerial vehicle. In an example embodiment, an aerial vehicle includes multiple upward-facing cameras and multiple downward-facing cameras with overlapping fields of view to enable stereoscopic computer vision in a plurality of directions around the aerial vehicle. Similar camera arrangements can also be implemented in fixed-wing aerial vehicles.

The flying object of this disclosure is a flying object provided with a safety device that attenuates the fall velocity, wherein the safety device is mounted at an angle that decreases the drag force when traveling than when landing or hovering. Also, the safety device has a reduced frontal projected area when traveling than when landing or hovering.

The flying object of this disclosure is a flying object provided with a safety device that attenuates the fall velocity, wherein the safety device is mounted at an angle that decreases the drag force when traveling than when landing or hovering. Also, the safety device has a reduced frontal projected area when traveling than when landing or hovering.

The present invention provides an unmanned aerial vehicle with non-lethal neuromuscular incapacitation system comprising a body; a plurality of rotary assemblies secured to the body and configured to provide lift; a control system disposed within the body; a protective cage surrounding the body and the plurality of rotary assemblies; and one or more stinging stickers attached to a periphery of the protective cage. Each of the one or more stinging stickers can deliver an electrical charge. The stinging stickers may be removably attached to the protective cage or they may be fixed to the cage. An electrical charge is delivered from a battery and a power converter positioned on a first portion of the stinging sticker through a high voltage transformer positioned on a second portion of the stinging sticker.

The present invention provides an unmanned aerial vehicle with non-lethal neuromuscular incapacitation system comprising a body; a plurality of rotary assemblies secured to the body and configured to provide lift; a control system disposed within the body; a protective cage surrounding the body and the plurality of rotary assemblies; and one or more stinging stickers attached to a periphery of the protective cage. Each of the one or more stinging stickers can deliver an electrical charge. The stinging stickers may be removably attached to the protective cage or they may be fixed to the cage. An electrical charge is delivered from a battery and a power converter positioned on a first portion of the stinging sticker through a high voltage transformer positioned on a second portion of the stinging sticker.

A safety device capable of rapidly inflating a float, having sufficient buoyancy at the time of landing on water, and being lighter than a conventional safety device, and a flight vehicle including the safety device. A safety device includes a parachute, a bottomed cylindrical container that accommodates the parachute, and an ejection device that is provided in the container and ejects the parachute to the outside of the container. The parachute includes an umbrella body, a plurality of lines, a center cord, and a bag-shaped member. The bag-shaped member including an intake port connected to a ventilation port is provided outside a top portion of the umbrella body. The intake port of the bag-shaped member is provided with a check valve including a hinge portion and a plate member.

A safety device capable of rapidly inflating a float, having sufficient buoyancy at the time of landing on water, and being lighter than a conventional safety device, and a flight vehicle including the safety device. A safety device includes a parachute, a bottomed cylindrical container that accommodates the parachute, and an ejection device that is provided in the container and ejects the parachute to the outside of the container. The parachute includes an umbrella body, a plurality of lines, a center cord, and a bag-shaped member. The bag-shaped member including an intake port connected to a ventilation port is provided outside a top portion of the umbrella body. The intake port of the bag-shaped member is provided with a check valve including a hinge portion and a plate member.

Some embodiments include a high efficiency, lightweight solar sheet. Some embodiments include a solar sheet configured for installation on a surface of a UAV or on a surface of a component of a UAV. The solar sheet includes a plurality of solar cells and a polymer layer to which the plurality of solar cells are attached. Some embodiments include a kit for supplying solar power in a battery-powered or fuel cell powered unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) by incorporating flexible solar cells into a component of a UAV, affixing flexible solar cells to a surface of a UAV, or affixing flexible solar cells to a surface of a component of a UAV. The kit also includes a power conditioning system configured to operate the solar cells within a desired power range and configured to provide power having a voltage compatible with an electrical system of the UAV.