An apparatus in which electric power is generated for an electrical load from differentials in electric field strengths within a vicinity of powerlines includes: a plurality of electrodes separated and electrically insulated from one another for enabling differentials in voltage resulting from differentials in electric field strength experienced there at; and electrical components electrically connected therewith and configurable to establish one or more electric circuits whereby voltage differentials cause a current to flow through the established electric circuit for powering the electrical load. Preferably, the apparatus includes a control assembly having one or more voltage-detector components configured to detect relative voltages of the electrodes; and a processor enabled to configure—based on the detected voltages and based on voltage and electric current specifications for powering the electrical load—one or more of the electrical components to establish an electric circuit for powering the electrical load.

A UAV in which electric power is generated for an electric load from differentials in electric field strengths within a vicinity of powerlines includes: a plurality of electrodes separated and electrically insulated from one another for enabling differentials in voltage resulting from differentials in electric field strength experienced thereat; and electrical components electrically connected therewith and configurable to establish one or more electric circuits whereby voltage differentials causes a current to flow through the established electric circuit for powering an electric load. Preferably, the UAV includes a control assembly having one or more voltage-detector components configured to detect relative voltages of the electrodes; and a processor enabled to configure—based on the detected voltages and based on voltage and electric current specifications for powering the electric load—one or more of the electrical components to establish an electric circuit for powering the electric load.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment, a charging station for charging of a UAV within a vicinity of powerlines includes an interface for electric coupling with the UAV for charging of a rechargeable battery of the UAV; a power supply having first and second electrodes separated and electrically insulated from each other for enabling a differential in voltage at the first and second electrodes resulting from a differential in electric field strength experienced at the first and second electrodes when within the vicinity of the powerlines; and electrical components electrically connected with the first and second electrodes and configured to establish a circuit with the rechargeable battery of the UAV when electronically coupled with the interface. The differential in voltage between the first and second electrodes causes electric current to flow through the electric circuit for charging the battery of the UAV.

A method, apparatus, and system for charging an electrical storage system in a vehicle. The vehicle comprises a support frame, a propulsion, an electric storage system, an extendable structure, and a power management unit. The propulsion system, the electrical storage system, and the power management unit are physically coupled to the support frame. The electrical storage system supplies the electrical energy to the propulsion system. The group of thermoelectric modules physically is physically coupled to the extendable structure and generates a current in response to a heat being transferred through the group of modules. The power management unit is electrically coupled to the electrical storage system and the group of thermal thermoelectric modules and controls storing the electrical energy in the electrical storage system using the current from the group of thermoelectric modules and supplying the electrical energy to the propulsion system.

A flying object 20 is provided with a rotor blade 200 that generates lift and thrust by rotating and a rotating electrical machine unit that rotates the rotor blade 200. The rotor blade 200 receive wind power and rotate when not flying. The rotating electrical machine unit generates electric power based on a power that rotates the rotor blades 200 when not flying. In addition, the flying object 20 may be provided with a power storage device 230 that stores electric power generated by the rotating electrical machine unit. In addition, the flying object 20 may be provided with a detachably connected cartridge 260 that has a desired function.

According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a capacitive coupler structure, including: power transmitters, each including a first metal plate and a second metal plate, and power receivers, each including a third metal plate and a fourth metal plate, where the first metal plate and the third metal plate form a first capacitor, the second metal plate and the fourth metal plate form a second capacitor, and each center of gravity of the first metal plate through the fourth metal plate is aligned on a single vertical line, and the first metal plate through the fourth metal plate form capacitive couplings.

The modular delivery vehicle system provides vehicle delivery services realized through delivery driver control or through remote operator interface involving a control network to manage delivery vehicles, delivery drones and delivery robots to deliver payloads to various locations including no-fly zones. Accordingly, the delivery drones and delivery robots may comprise propellers for aerial delivery service, comprise drive wheels land based delivery service, or comprises a combination of thereof in order to navigate inside the delivery vehicle to attain payloads, and to navigate on streets, bike lanes, sidewalks, courtyards, or inside buildings, etc. to drop-off payloads or pick-up payloads. In various elements the delivery vehicles, delivery drones and delivery robots comprise robotic mechanisms to affix boxed payloads onto loading brackets or in compartments of delivery drones and delivery robots, or may use robotic arms and loading mechanisms to pick-up or to drop-off payloads.

A UAV package delivery system includes a cabinet for deployment inside a merchant facility. The cabinet is configured for storing and charging UAVs on-site at the merchant facility remote from a command and control of the UAVs. The cabinet includes a plurality of cubbies, power circuitry, communication circuitry, and a controller. The cubbies are each sized and shaped to receive one of the UAVs. The power circuitry is configured for charging the UAVs when the UAVs are stowed within the cubbies. The communication circuitry is configured for communicating with the UAVs when the UAVs are proximate to the cabinet or stowed within the cubbies and for communicating with the command and control. The controller causes the UAV package delivery system to retrieve status information from the UAVs, relay the status information to the command and control, and relay mission data between the command and control and the UAVs.

A drone comprises at least one propeller for generating lift and an article containment area for containing an article to be carried by the drone. The floor of the article containment area comprises a dynamic support surface for supporting the article and allowing the article to move into, out of and through the article containment area. The dynamic support surface may be a conveyor belt forming the floor of the article containment area.

An apparatus for housing an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) in or on a vehicle includes a landing connection component configured to form a connection between the UAV and the vehicle when the UAV is landed in or on the vehicle, and a cover movable between a plurality of positions to permit the UAV to take off and land in or on the vehicle. The cover includes an antenna or a satellite dish integrated thereto. An orientation of the antenna or the satellite dish is adjustable for tracking a motion of the UAV when the UAV is in flight.