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 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 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.

Provided herein is a pneumatic tube system station having a rotating carriage with multiple carrier ports. The multiple carrier ports allow for receiving multiple carriers and/or staging multiple carries for dispatch. In one arrangement, one or more carriers may be securely maintained within the station while permitting users to continue utilizing the station.

Provided herein is a pneumatic tube system station having a rotating carriage with multiple carrier ports. The multiple carrier ports allow for receiving multiple carriers and/or staging multiple carries for dispatch. In one arrangement, one or more carriers may be securely maintained within the station while permitting users to continue utilizing the station.

A pneumatic transport system for histological samples includes a transport tube within which a carrier containing samples is transported. A station for loading/unloading the samples into/from the carrier is arranged at one tube end. When the carrier is arriving at the station, a blower of the system is deactivated and the carrier is braked, allowing stopping within the station against a stop member. Thereafter, a motor imparts, via the stop member, rotation to said carrier until a carrier door is at an angular position substantially corresponding to an angular position of a station door. Thereafter, the carrier is stopped and the doors are opened by an actuator, this enabling activation of an operating cycle of loading/unloading of the samples. Upon completion, the doors are closed, a carrier locking device is deactivated and the blower is activated, allowing departure of the carrier from the station and its transport within the tube.

A system, apparatus and method (i.e., utility) is provided for increasing the resource utilization of a pneumatic tube system (PTS). This utility allows for moving two or more carriers during a single air source cycle. That is, air pressure or vacuum during a single cycle of an air source may be utilized to move multiple carriers and thereby reduce the total number of cycles required to complete two or more transactions. Accordingly, the throughput of the PTS may be increased.

A system, apparatus and method (i.e., utility) is provided for increasing the resource utilization of a pneumatic tube system (PTS). This utility allows for moving two or more carriers during a single air source cycle. That is, air pressure or vacuum during a single cycle of an air source may be utilized to move multiple carriers and thereby reduce the total number of cycles required to complete two or more transactions. Accordingly, the throughput of the PTS may be increased.

Landing gear, aspects of which are usable by an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), comprises a first leg with a first leg landing end and a first leg connection end, and a second leg with a second leg landing end and a second leg connection end. The first leg connection end is directly coupled to the second leg connection end at an engagement location. A tensioning member applies a rotational force about the engagement location, biasing the first leg landing end in the direction of the second leg landing end. The first leg and the second leg are configured to rotate against the rotational force when a downward force is applied to the engagement location.

Landing gear, aspects of which are usable by an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), comprises a first leg with a first leg landing end and a first leg connection end, and a second leg with a second leg landing end and a second leg connection end. The first leg connection end is directly coupled to the second leg connection end at an engagement location. A tensioning member applies a rotational force about the engagement location, biasing the first leg landing end in the direction of the second leg landing end. The first leg and the second leg are configured to rotate against the rotational force when a downward force is applied to the engagement location.