A system for delivering objects from a fixed-wing aircraft has a first tether having a connector on a deployed end, an anchor apparatus fixed to a point on the ground, a slide ring assembled over the first tether, a drag line connected to the slide ring by one end, and a drag-producing device connected to at a second end, and an object carrying apparatus connected by a support line. The aircraft is flown at an altitude in an orbit at a diameter and a speed such that the deployed first tether assumes a spiral pattern. An object is placed in the object-carrying apparatus and released from the aircraft, with the slide ring guiding along the first tether, and the drag-producing element slows descent of the object in the carrying apparatus in the spiral pattern until the object reaches the ground, where the object is removed from the object-carrying apparatus.

Methods, apparatus, systems and articles of manufacture are disclosed for a first link to rotate about a pin joint, a second link rotatably coupled to the first link, the second link having a nozzle at a first end and a weight at a second end opposite the first end, and a fluid inlet including a funnel portion and an opening, the funnel portion having a conical taper converging towards the opening.

The present disclosure relates to an in-place alignment method for wireless charging of an urban air mobility and a device and a system therefor. A wireless charging method in an urban air mobility includes acquiring location information of a supply device for supplying wireless power, moving to the supply device based on the location information, performing a horizontal alignment based on a distance to the supply device, performing a longitudinal alignment based on completion of the horizontal alignment, and performing the wireless charging after the urban air mobility stops based on completion of the longitudinal alignment. Therefore, the present disclosure has an advantage of maximizing a wireless charging efficiency and minimizing a power waste by quickly and accurately aligning wireless power transmitting/receiving pads of the urban air mobility and the supply device with each other in place.

The present disclosure relates to an in-place alignment method for wireless charging of an urban air mobility and a device and a system therefor. A wireless charging method in an urban air mobility includes diagnosing a state of at least one sensor included in the urban air mobility, requesting the supply device to drive a sensor included in the supply device through wireless communication based on a result of the diagnosing, measuring a location of the supply device by sensing a sensor signal of the supply device, moving the urban air mobility to the supply device based on the measured location of the supply device, and stopping the urban air mobility, performing alignment of wireless power transmission/reception pads for wireless charging, and performing wireless charging based on completion of the alignment. Therefore, the present disclosure has an advantage of maximizing a wireless charging efficiency and minimizing a power waste by quickly and accurately aligning wireless power transmitting/receiving pads of the urban air mobility and the supply device with each other in place.

A wireless power transfer system is provided. The wireless power transfer system comprises a resonator comprising a capacitor. The capacitor comprises at least two active electrodes; and a passive electrode adjacent the active electrodes and configured to encompass the active electrodes to at least partially eliminate environmental influences affecting the active electrodes and to increase the overall capacitance of the system. The resonator further comprises at least one inductive coil electrically connected to the active electrodes, wherein the resonator is configured to extract power from a generated electric field via resonant electric field coupling.

The purpose of the present invention is to provide a cable used to at least moor a moving body to be moored and supply power thereto, such that weight of the whole cable can be reduced. A cable according to the present invention connects a moving body to be moored to a unit assembly including a power supply unit. The cable is used to at least moor the moving body to be moored to the unit assembly and supply power from the power supply unit to the moving body to be moored. The cable includes a conductor constituted with element wires, and at least part of the element wires is a high-strength aluminum-based conductor.

A multicopter (100) having a plurality of propellers (1) is provided with electric motors (2), at least one main battery (3), a generator (4), and an engine (5). The electric motors (2) drive the propellers (1). The main battery (3) is a first electric power source that supplies the electric power to the electric motors (2). The generator (4) is a second electric power source that supplies the electric power to the electric motors (2). The engine (5) drives the generator (4). When a remaining capacity of the main battery (3) is less than a threshold, the generator (4) charges the main battery (3) with the electric power that has been converted from motive power from the engine (5).

An aerial platform receives power in the form of light, for example laser light, transmitted via an optical fiber from a remote optical power source. The platform comprises a receiver which converts at least a portion of the light to a different form of power, for example electric power. The platform also comprises a propulsion element which consumes the different form of power to generate propulsive thrust. Supplying power to the aerial platform from a remote source enables the platform to remain aloft longer than a battery or fuel tank carried by the platform would allow. Transmitting the power in the form of light is preferable in many cases to transmitting electric power, because electrical conductors are generally heavier than optical fibers, and are hazardous in the presence of lightning or a high-voltage power line.

A method of harvesting and managing energy from air currents, by small unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) having a plurality of powered and unpowered rotors, to increase the aircraft's flight time, especially where the mission requires extensive hovering and loitering, is provided. Conventional powered rotors create lift for the aircraft. Unpowered rotors can either be: 1) Free-wheeling rotors which increase the plan form area of aircraft as they rotate, increasing lift, and reducing the power draw on the battery, and/or 2) Rotors connected to micro-generators, which serve as a brake on the unpowered rotors, create electrical power to charge the aircraft batteries or directly power the aircraft's electronics. The invention's folding rotor arm design results in a compact package that is easily transported by a single user (man portable). The aircraft can be removed from its protective tube, unfolded and launched for flight in less than a minute. Extended flight times, compact easily transported design, and ability to host flight software on a user's tablet/PC result in low total cost of ownership.

A mechanically secure docking platform for unmanned VTOL aircraft (“drone”) or other automated vehicle, acting as an automated battery recharging system for drones or a battery quick change system for drones. The system also is capable of enabling an automated data logistics system for drones, an autonomous guidance system for landing and docking for drones, and/or an autonomous guidance system for undocking and takeoff for drones.