A drone printer configured to print an image on a destination surface includes a flying management module (FMM) and a printing system (PS). The FMM comprises a positioning system configured to detect position of the drone printer in 3-Dimensional (3D) space, and generate a rendering flight plan (RFP) in the 3D space, said RFP being representative of routing path that the drone printer is to follow during printing of the image on the destination surface; and a stabilizer system configured to stabilize the drone printer in the 3D space during any or a combination of flying, aerial manoeuvring, and homing. The PS can include at least one colorant tank; and at least one printing device configured to draw colorant from the at least one colorant tank, and apply the colorant on the destination surface so as to print the image along at least a part of the RFP.

An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) includes a sprayer configured to generate a pressurized fluid flow and a nozzle configured to receive the pressurized fluid from the sprayer and to generate a spray fan to apply the fluid to a surface. The UAV includes sensors and a control unit to control both flight of the UAV and spraying by the sprayer. The fluid can be stored onboard the UAV in a reservoir or can be remotely stored and pumped to the UAV. The UAV control unit can be preloaded with a spray plan and a flight plan, or the UAV can be controlled by a user.

An aerial operations system for performing various tasks such as painting is provided. The modular aerial operations system includes an aerial vehicle capable of vertically taking off and landing, hovering and precisely maneuvering near walls and other structures. The aerial vehicle may be a rotorcraft such as a multicopter. In an aspect, as aerial vehicle paints one or more designated surfaces using detachable arms and equipment. The system may paint the designated surface in one of several available techniques using paint provided in a container such as an attached reservoir, a base station, a paint can, or the like. The aerial operations system provided may also be configured to perform a variety of other tasks.

An aerial paint spraying vehicle includes a body and a paint reservoir removably coupled to the body and configured to store paint. The aerial paint spraying vehicle includes a pressure vessel removably coupled to the body and configured to pressurize the paint from the paint reservoir. The aerial paint spraying vehicle includes a paint applicator assembly configured to receive the pressurized paint and expel the pressurized paint through a spray nozzle towards a target surface.

An Unmanned Aerial Vehicle includes a body, a boom, a rotor, and a nozzle. The rotor is connected to the body and rotates about an axis of rotation. The axis of rotation of the rotor is disposed at a fixed locations relative to the body. The boom is connected to the body. The nozzle is disposed at a distal end of the boom and is configured to controllably apply a liquid to a surface disposed proximate to the nozzle. The rotor, boom, and nozzle are arranged such that the nozzle is disposed further away from the body than the axis of rotation of the rotor.

A system includes processing circuitry and a drone. The drone includes a dispenser subassembly that includes a housing comprising an aerosol dispensing system and configured to receive a syringe such that an applicator of the syringe is positioned distally from the housing; a trigger that is positioned in contact with a nozzle of the aerosol dispensing system; an actuator arm; and an actuator motor configured to move the actuator arm in a reciprocating motion. Control logic of the drone is configured to navigate, based on navigation instructions received from the processing circuitry, the drone to an area associated with an object of potential survey interest (OoPSI) such that the applicator of the syringe or the nozzle of the aerosol dispensing system is proximate to the area associated with the OoPSI.

A painting system that makes use of drones such as modified quadrotors. The drone includes a support arm that carries a paint nozzle configured for pan and tilt motion. A power supply line is connected from an external power supply to the drone to allow extended flight time. A paint supply line is also connected from an external paint supply to the drone to allow extended painting time and/or surface coverage with each flight. The drone has an onboard controller so painting is autonomous with no human input being required. The drone stores a 3D model of the target structure annotated with the drone trajectory plus commands to control the pan-tilt paint nozzle to perform the painting. At runtime, the controller uses a sensor to view the target structure and localizes itself. The drone then traverses the stored trajectory and implements the painting commands to paint the 3D structure's surfaces.

Disclosed is an apparatus for applying a substance to a structure (1), comprising: a remotely piloted aircraft system, RPAS (100); means for ejecting the substance onto the structure; means (120) for supplying the substance from a reservoir (140) to the RPAS (100); a position maintenance system arranged to maintain a predetermined distance from the structure.

Systems and methods of coating an installed overhead conductor with an unmanned aerial vehicle are disclosed. The unmanned aerial vehicles can attach to an installed overhead conductor and can apply a coating composition from one or more canisters.

An example unmanned aerial vehicle includes an electromagnetic radiation (EMR) sensor. The EMR sensor detects a signal indicative of a substance to print. The unmanned aerial vehicle also includes a nozzle to eject the substance based on a location at which the signal is detected.