Certain aspects of the present disclosure provide a vehicle, comprising: a housing; a battery comprising a plurality of layers and disposed within the housing; and a first removable battery compression device disposed within the housing and configured to apply compressive force to the plurality of layers of the battery via a first side of the battery.

A reconfigurable system capable of autonomously exchanging material from unmanned vehicles of various types and sizes. The system comprises an environmental enclosure, a landing area, a universal mechanical system to load and unload material from the unmanned vehicle, and a central processor that manages the aforementioned tasks. The landing area may comprise a one or more visible or non-visible markers/emitters capable of generating composite images to assist in landing the unmanned vehicle upon the reconfigurable, autonomous system.

A system for operating a vehicle includes a first temperature sensor located at a first location and configured to measure a first temperature; a second temperature sensor located at a second location configured to measure a second temperature; and one or more processors. The one or more processors are individually or collectively configured to receive information regarding the first temperature and/or the second temperature; process the information; and impose a restriction affecting operation of the vehicle based on the processed information.

An example UAV landing structure includes a landing platform for a UAV, a cavity within the landing platform, and a track that runs along the landing platform and at least a part of the cavity. The UAV may include a winch system that includes a tether that may be coupled to a payload. Furthermore, the cavity may be aligned over a predetermined target location. The cavity may be sized to allow the winch system to pass a tethered payload through the cavity. The track may guide the UAV to a docked position over the cavity as the UAV moves along the landing platform. When the UAV is in the docked position, a payload may be loaded to or unloaded from the UAV through the cavity.

A landing gear system that can be used with unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) retrieves and releases canisters suitable for delivering items. To do so, the landing gear comprises a first leg and a second leg. The first landing leg and the second landing leg are rotationally engages at a first leg connection end and a second leg connection end. A tensioning member applies a rotational force about the engagement location, biasing the first leg toward the second leg. Each of the first and second legs can include a curved portion. A UAV comprising the landing gear can be lowered over a canister, and the canister is secured in place within the curved portions of the legs. To release, the landing legs are rotated against the bias, which can be facilitated by landing the UAV and placing the rotors into a reverse thrust.

A payload container for delivering canisters having payloads is provided. The payload container includes an open end and a closed end. The open end is configured to couple to a terminal end of a tube of a pneumatic delivery system to receive or provided a canister. The payload container further comprises a gas vent having a first gas vent opening located at the closed end of the payload container and a second gas vent opening located at the open end of the payload container. The open end is configured to couple to an air hose outlet of the pneumatic delivery system, which delivers air into the payload container to push the canister into the pneumatic delivery system tube. A depressed landing platform aids in guiding an unmanned aerial vehicle, having a payload container, into a position where a canister can be delivered to or from the pneumatic delivery system.

A pneumatic delivery system is used to facilitate delivery of canisters comprising delivery payloads by unmanned systems, such as unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). The pneumatic delivery system comprises a tube having a channel within a tube wall, where a canister is configured to move through the tube. The tube comprises a tube opening and a transfer mechanism proximate the tube opening. The transfer mechanism engages a canister having a payload that is moved within the tube. The transfer mechanism moves the canister through the tube opening by extending from a first transfer position to a second transfer position. At the second transfer position, the transfer mechanism orients the tube and releases it to a UAV for delivery.

A case for carrying loads by an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) comprises a first end comprising a first cap and a first opening and a second end comprising a second cap and a second opening, the second opening being smaller than the first opening. The case also comprises a rechargeable battery pack that, when the case is secured to the UAV, is configured to provide a power source for the UAV and the first cap and the second cap each comprising at least one metal connector for providing power to the UAV.

A package delivery apparatus of a vehicle may include a servo, a servo arm rotated by the servo, a latch that rotates responsive to rotation of the servo arm, and a rod and slider that moves responsive to rotation of the servo arm. The components of the package delivery apparatus may move between a plurality of positions, including a loading position, a locking position, a sensing position, and a release position. The rotation of the latch may control loading, locking, sensing, and release of a package within a package path of the vehicle, and the movement of the rod and slider may control movement of a door assembly of the vehicle between open and closed positions.

An unmanned aerial system (UAS) may comprise an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) configured to search and recover persons and things, collect and produce data of an emergency situation for display on a vehicle navigation system, or explore for natural resources. The UAS may include a landing pad, and/or a sensor such as a ground penetrating sensor configured to search for a person trapped underground. The UAS may be configured to receive data from the one or more sensors. An analyzer may be used to assess surrounding environment and the status of the person or thing, and send a signal to the UAV. The components attached to the UAV may include connectors, a robotic arm, a sensor, and/or a portable power source. The UAS may be configured to, for example, detect an emergency situation and determine the nature and location of the emergency situation. The UAS may be configured to explore for oil, gas, and mineral sources, and/or excavate location using a robotic arm.