A removable battery to provide motive power for an aircraft includes a battery frame and removable, interchangeable battery modules. Each of the battery modules defines module common space through which liquid heat transfer fluid flows during charging of the battery when the battery is removed from the aircraft and through which air as a heat transfer fluid flows during discharge of the battery, as during flight. The module common space also defines a combustion conduit to convey heated air and products of combustion safely outside the battery in the event of a cell fire during flight. The removable battery frame is a structural component of the aircraft.

Systems and methods include UAVs that serve to assist carrier personnel by reducing the physical demands of the transportation and delivery process. A UAV generally includes a UAV chassis including an upper portion, a plurality of propulsion members configured to provide lift to the UAV chassis, and a parcel carrier configured for being selectively coupled to and removed from the UAV chassis. UAV support mechanisms are utilized to load and unload parcel carriers to the UAV chassis, and the UAV lands on and takes off from the UAV support mechanism to deliver parcels to a serviceable point. The UAV includes computing entities that interface with different systems and computing entities to send and receive various types of information.

The present disclosure is directed toward a system for autonomously landing an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) within an unmanned aerial vehicle ground station (UAVGS) and removing a battery assembly from within the UAV while landed. In particular, systems described herein enable a battery arm to engage a battery assembly and remove the battery assembly from within the UAV. Additionally, the battery arm can include one or more sensors that detect a pattern of sensor contacts arranged on an end of the battery assembly. In particular, the sensors on the battery arm can detect and identify the battery assembly based on the particular pattern of sensor contacts on the end of the battery assembly.

A cleaning method includes controlling an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) to fly to a region of a wall body according to a path to be cleaned, and, in response to detecting a cleaning prohibition identifier associated with the region, recognizing the region as a cleaning prohibition region and controlling the UAV to fly over the cleaning prohibition region without cleaning the cleaning prohibition region.

A configurable unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) may include swappable components that may be selectable to configure a customized UAV just prior to deployment of the UAV that is configured to deliver a package to a destination. The UAV may include a plurality of ports that may accept swappable components. The ports may be coupled to a logic board to enable control of the swappable components. The ports and swappable components may enable quick replacement of a malfunctioning components, such as an image sensor, which may avoid subjecting a UAV to significant downtime for service. The malfunctioning component may then be serviced after the UAV is readied for a subsequent flight or deployed on a subsequent flight.

Provided is a system for point to point wireless power transmission including: a plurality of autonomous and semi-autonomous unmanned systems configured as a mobile transmitting and/or receiving power station, through which unmanned systems can navigate, maneuver, beam ride, and recharge from point to point. Provided is a method of adapting unmanned systems to receive and transmit power point-to-point amongst themselves. The method includes controlling a swarm formed from a plurality of autonomous synchronized unmanned systems to form a larger transmitter and receiver for a mobile power station.

Provided is a system for point to point wireless power transmission including: a plurality of autonomous and semi-autonomous unmanned systems configured as a mobile transmitting and/or receiving power station, through which unmanned systems can navigate, maneuver, beam ride, and recharge from point to point. Provided is a method of adapting unmanned systems to receive and transmit power point-to-point amongst themselves. The method includes controlling a swarm formed from a plurality of autonomous synchronized unmanned systems to form a larger transmitter and receiver for a mobile power station.

There is disclosed a system for enhanced aerial delivery capability. In an embodiment, there is provided a system for enhanced aerial delivery capability. The system includes a UAV having a primary battery to provide power to one or more electrical motors for powered flight. The system includes a pod having a cargo portion to selectively carry a payload, the pod having a supplemental battery to selectively supply power to the UAV. The system includes an autonomous mounting system configured to provide selective and autonomous mechanical connection of the pod with the UAV. The mounting system is configured to provide selective and autonomous electrical connection of the supplemental battery of the pod to the UAV. This configuration selectively powers the one or more electrical motors of the UAV with the stored electrical power from the supplemental battery. Other embodiments are also disclosed.

Various embodiments of a docking station configured for semi-autonomous or fully autonomous management of drones. In various embodiments, the station can identify the exact location and angle of a drone on a landing pad, and modify the location and angle in order for a robot to retrieve a used battery from the drone and also insert a fully charged replacement battery. The station may also determine the charge status of a drone's battery, the exact type of battery used by a particular drone, and select for replacement into the drone the specific battery needed. There are various embodiments of a system with such a docking station, command & control software, a database, and a network control center. Various embodiments are of methods to identify the need to replace a battery, identify the type of battery required, and effect replacement in an automated manner.

Various embodiments of a docking station configured for semi-autonomous or fully autonomous management of drones. In various embodiments, the station can identify the exact location and angle of a drone on a landing pad, and modify the location and angle in order for a robot to retrieve a used battery from the drone and also insert a fully charged replacement battery. The station may also determine the charge status of a drone's battery, the exact type of battery used by a particular drone, and select for replacement into the drone the specific battery needed. There are various embodiments of a system with such a docking station, command & control software, a database, and a network control center. Various embodiments are of methods to identify the need to replace a battery, identify the type of battery required, and effect replacement in an automated manner.