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 winch mounted to the chassis. The winch includes a reel and a motor. The reel has a line wound thereon, the line having a free end. The reel includes a circumferential channel in which a wound portion of the line is wound onto the reel. The circumferential channel includes an inner portion, an outer portion, and a passage connecting the inner portion and the outer portion. The motor is operable to rotate the reel under control of the control system to thereby cause the line to wind onto and off of the reel, thereby causing the free end of the line to raise and lower.

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.

The present invention relates to systems for protecting against sun's damaging rays, and against unwanted onlookers like drones. The systems comprise a drone and a covering member attached to the drone. In one aspect, a Flight Control System, FCS, flies the drone in a selected spot. In one embodiment, the covering member acts like an overhead covering, and a measuring device provides the FCS information for flying the drone on a holding position over a stationary user. In another embodiment, a measuring device enables the FCS to fly the drone over a non-stationary user and to tracking him. Further, the FCS adjusts the drone position with respect to the position of either the sun or a detected drone in the sky. In another embodiment, a radio control, transmitter receiver, pair is used to communicate user's requests to the FCS. One request may be to turn on the motors.

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, a line having one end coupled to the chassis and an opposite free end, wherein the free end is positioned below the chassis, and a severing mechanism operable to sever the line under control of the control system.

Expandable decoy unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are disclosed. A disclosed example decoy UAV includes an expandable body at least partially defining an exterior of the expandable decoy UAV, an expander to expand the expandable body to a desired footprint, and a propulsion device operatively coupled to the expandable body, the propulsion device to move the expandable decoy UAV.

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.

A ganged servo flight control system for an unmanned aerial vehicle is provided. The flight control system may include a swashplate having first, second, and third connection portions; a first control assembly connected to the first connection portion of the swashplate; a second control assembly connected to the second connection portion of the swashplate; and a third control assembly connected to the third connection portion of the swashplate. The first control assembly may include two or more servo-actuators connected to operate in cooperation with each other.

Due to their disease transmission, mosquitoes are the deadliest animal, killing over a million people each year. In addition, mosquitoes cause discomfort for adults and especially children who may suffer heavily from mosquito bites. Indeed, a study shows that most respondents considered mosquitoes to be a problem. Unfortunately, a combination of environmental change and urbanization help mosquitoes spread into new areas. Spraying mosquito repellent to eliminate mosquitoes was shown to be harmful for humans as well, and other devices fail to eliminate all mosquitoes. Therefore, we propose the development of an insect killer drone. The drone will include a tiny gun that, once the drone approaches the mosquito, will be able to eliminate it. The system also includes a docking station that detects the mosquitoes and controls the drone. The drone is intended to be autonomous but may allow manual control of the drone and tiny gun.

Due to their disease transmission, mosquitoes are the deadliest animal, killing over a million people each year. In addition, mosquitoes cause discomfort for adults and especially children who may suffer heavily from mosquito bites. Indeed, a study shows that most respondents considered mosquitoes to be a problem. Unfortunately, a combination of environmental change and urbanization help mosquitoes spread into new areas. Spraying mosquito repellent to eliminate mosquitoes was shown to be harmful for humans as well, and other devices fail to eliminate all mosquitoes. Therefore, we propose the development of an insect killer drone. The drone will include a tiny gun that, once the drone approaches the mosquito, will be able to eliminate it. The system also includes a docking station that detects the mosquitoes and controls the drone. The drone is intended to be autonomous but may allow manual control of the drone and tiny gun.

An unmanned helicopter platform includes a fuselage, a tail coupled with the fuselage, a payload rail coupled with and extending along the fuselage and a main rotor assembly coupled with the fuselage. The tail includes a tail rotor and a tail rotor motor. The main rotor assembly includes a main rotor having an axis of rotation and a main rotor motor. The payload rail allows mechanical connection of payloads to the fuselage and positioning of the payloads such that a center of gravity of the payloads is alignable with the axis of rotation.