A system for basing drones is described. A network of geographically diverse hangars provides storage and charging locations as well as backhaul communications infrastructure and video monitoring. As drones are needed, a central command point tasks an available drone, which may or may not already be located in proximity to a target. If additional drones are needed, drones can be flown to the area of interest and continuous coverage provided by charging drones while an active drone is conducting the mission, then rotating charged drones into the active mission. Structures for the hangars, the overall system, and methods of operation are described.

An unmanned aerial vehicle according to certain embodiments generally includes a chassis, a power supply mounted to the chassis, a control system operable to receive power from the power supply, at least one rotor operable to generate lift under control of the control system, and a winch mounted to the chassis. The winch includes a reel and a motor. The reel has a line wound thereon, the line having a free end. The reel includes a circumferential channel in which a wound portion of the line is wound onto the reel. The circumferential channel includes an inner portion, an outer portion, and a passage connecting the inner portion and the outer portion. The motor is operable to rotate the reel under control of the control system to thereby cause the line to wind onto and off of the reel, thereby causing the free end of the line to raise and lower.

Disclosed herein is a drone docking station for deposit of items/goods delivered by a drone to a secured receptacle. Items can be delivered to a receptacle at a curb, mailbox, post, porch, mobile units, and window for a multi-parcel receptacle with a set of drawers with hot and cold sections in the station that has a specific residential/commercial address with various optional features. Features include communication systems between the station and drone; security; hot and cold temperature control and preservation of the goods before and after delivery; battery charging and exchange station; a collector to identify explosive materials, anthrax, etc.; ultraviolet system to eradicate disease, virus and harmful materials; an ozone applicator to eradicate disease, virus and harmful materials; weather monitoring; tag and track of vehicles and packages; facial recognition camera and software for pets and humans; and local two-way speakers; LED lights that strobe flash, and a flood light.

A mobile ground power unit includes a housing in which an engine and an electric generator are disposed. The housing features a canopy having an outer wall facing outside. The outer wall has a single piece covering an upper side of the engine and extending downwards along at least two different vertical sides of the ground power unit. The canopy has an inner wall facing inside. The inner wall features a horizontal area covering the upper side of the engine and is extending from the horizontal area downwards along the at least two different vertical sides. The inner wall and the outer wall define a hollow space between each other. The canopy has an integrated ducting system with an inlet opening within the outer wall of the canopy, whereby the hollow space constitutes an air channel for exchanging fluid between the inside and the outside of the housing.

A mobile ground power unit has a housing in which an engine and an electric generator are disposed. The housing features at least one rotor molded or rotor cast component the housing features at least one rotor molded or rotor cast component that serves as an outer shell or part of the outer shell of the housing, whereby the housing features as the at least one rotor molded or rotor cast component one of a canopy covering at least the upper side of the engine and/or the generator a cable tray arranged sideways in relation to the engine and/or the electric generator.

Supplying thermal energy to a consumer, such as a parked vehicle, e.g., a parked aircraft, while reducing carbon emission and expenditure on electricity, by charging an energy storage unit at a first location to obtain a charged energy unit, and then mobilizing the charged energy storage unit from the first location to a location of a consumer, where the charged energy storage unit can then be connected to the consumer and can be discharged at the location of the consumer, providing the consumer with thermal energy.

The disclosure relates to a Mobile ground power unit for supplying power to an aircraft parked on the ground, the ground power unit comprising an engine, an electric generator, whereby the electric generator is configured to be driven by the engine, a housing whereby the engine and the electric generator are disposed within the housing, and a fuel tank, wherein the fuel tank comprises a wall that forms at least one channel that allows air to pass from one side of the fuel tank to another side of the fuel tank. The disclosure further relates to a fuel tank for a ground power unit.

An unmanned aerial vehicle according to certain embodiments generally includes a chassis, a power supply mounted to the chassis, a control system operable to receive power from the power supply, at least one rotor operable to generate lift under control of the control system, and a motor operable to lower a free end of a line. The free end of the line is operable to engage a parcel to be delivered by the unmanned aerial vehicle. The control system is configured to operate the motor to cause the free end of the line to accelerate toward a delivery surface as the free end of the line passes through a first portion of a distance between the unmanned aerial vehicle and the delivery surface, and to decelerate as the free end of the line passes through a lower portion of the distance.

A material handling robot including a mobile base, a plurality of drones, and a plurality of docking stations on the mobile base for receiving the drones. The mobile base has motorized wheels for driving the mobile base, and a platform for supporting a load. Each drone has a power source and a drone sensor for monitoring environment around the drone. Each docking station has a power charger for recharging the power source, and a launch mechanism for deploying the drone. The robot also includes a controller for communicating with the mobile base and the drones. The controller has: a material handling mode for transporting loads on the platform of the mobile base; and a security mode where at least one of the drones is deployed to conduct surveillance using the drone sensor.

A taxi tug includes a chassis, a motive power source, and an auxiliary power services system. The chassis has at least one drive wheel. The motive power source is operatively connected to the at least one drive wheel. The auxiliary power services system is disposed on the chassis and is configured to provide at least one of electric power, pneumatic power, and low pressure conditioned air to an aircraft.