This specification describes systems for unmanned aerial vehicle carrying and deployment. In some examples, an unmanned vehicle includes a drive system and a chassis. The chassis includes a platform for carrying an unmanned aerial vehicle and a retainer configured to secure the unmanned aerial vehicle to the platform while the drive system drives the unmanned vehicle. The clamping system includes at least a first rotating bar and a protrusion from the first rotating bar.

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.

A charging and recharging drone assembly system and apparatus are provided. The system has a unique charging pad having a plurality of cones which direct the legs of a charging drone into a specific location on the charging pad for charging/re-charging. A QR code may be located in the middle of a cover of a charging pad so that the charging drone may detect the charging pad from the air and may direct the charging drone to land on a specific spot on the landing pad for charging. The movable cover may cover the charging pad when the charging pad is not in use to protect the charging pad.

Remote control system and method to support separate operation of an animal disclosed. Remote control system to support separate operation of an animal includes a drone, capable of performing a separation operation, a wearable device, in form of being wearable on an animal and configured for docking the drone, a server, configured for communicating at least one of the drone and the wearable device to gather information that at least one of the drone or and the wearable device collects, and configured for transmitting a user command to at least one of the drone or and the wearable device, and a user terminal, configured for receiving and outputting the gathered information in communication with the server, and configured for receiving the user command regarding the drone and the wearable device.

A flight module for a vertical take-off and landing aircraft comprises multiple drive units arranged on a supporting framework structure that comprises struts interconnected at node points. Each drive unit comprises an electric motor and a propeller that is operatively connected to the electric motor. Some of the drive units are arranged outside the node points.

Disclosed is a charging station (2) for a vertical take-off and landing aircraft (1) comprising one or more energy stores, the station having a charging device for transferring electrical energy to the energy store or stores. Also disclosed is a combined charging station (12) for vertical take-off and landing aircraft, each aircraft comprising one or more energy stores, the combined charging station (12) having multiple charging stations.

An aerial vehicle securing system for use with a base portion of an aerial vehicle, comprising: at least one substantially flat platform for supporting said base portion upon landing of the vehicle thereon; at least one magnetizable element configured to be integrated in one of said platform or base portion; at least one electropermanent magnet configured to be integrated in another one of said platform or base portion, said electropermanent magnet configured for generating a magnetic field, so that upon a distance between said base portion and said platform reaching a pre-determined value during the landing of the vehicle on the platform, said magnetic field is configured to cause magnetizable element to be attracted to at least said one electropermanent magnet; and a power supply module configured for generating an electric current to said at least one electropermanent magnet for selectively generating and cancelling said magnetic field.

An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) storage and launch system includes a UAV pod having an open position and a closed position, the closed position establishing an interior that is weather resistant to an environment external to the UAV pod and a vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) UAV enclosed in the UAV pod so that the UAV pod in the closed position provides a weather resistant interior for the VTOL UAV.

A position setting system including a first side plate, a second side plate and a bottom plate with two sides parallel to a length direction, each of the two sides abutting a respective side plate. The position setting system also has a first positioning device and a second positioning device configured to move along at least one of the two sides of the bottom plate, towards each other to guide and position a landing gear of the UAV to be between the first positioning device and the second positioning device during landing. During take-off, the first positioning device and the second positioning device are moved away from each other.

Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to systems and methods for autonomously performing and/or facilitating drone diagnostic functions. Prior to a mission of a UAV, an inspection station comprising at least one imaging sensor and at least one directional force sensor may be used to perform a plurality of air worthiness inspections and/or maintenance checks with little to no human intervention. Once the UAV has been determined to be air worthy, it is approved for a subsequent mission.