A drone equipped with piezoelectric structures and/or a self-energizing capability has increased functionality. The piezoelectric structures can act as a variety of sensors and/or can implement or perform a variety of tasks, especially those associated with assisting a vehicle. The self-energizing capability can extend operations and/or permit a drone low on power to sufficiently recharge to fly home.

A drone equipped with piezoelectric structures and/or a self-energizing capability has increased functionality. The piezoelectric structures can act as a variety of sensors and/or can implement or perform a variety of tasks, especially those associated with assisting a vehicle. The self-energizing capability can extend operations and/or permit a drone low on power to sufficiently recharge to fly home.

A handsfree autonomous umbrella assembly for shielding a user from the elements includes an umbrella and a drone module. The umbrella comprises a shaft and a frame, which has a canopy engaged thereto. The frame is engaged to a first end of the shaft and can be selectively positioned in a collapsed configuration and a deployed configuration, wherein the frame has a concave face and a convex face. The shaft extends from the concave face. The drone module is engaged to the shaft and receives commands to selectively provide directional thrust. A control unit transmits commands to the drone module, enabling the drone module to track the control unit. The control unit is positioned to command the drone module to maintain a relative position above a user who possesses the control unit. The canopy thus shields the user from the elements.

A rotor hub is presented that uses a low profile and frontal area design that reduces drag and combines the advantages of utilizing a virtual flapping hinge and a soft in-plane rotor hub.

A method of selectively preventing flapping of a rotor hub includes providing a flapping lock proximate to a rotor hub and shaft assembly and moving the flapping lock from an unlocked position to a locked position, the flapping lock operable in the locked position to prevent at least some flapping movement of the rotor hub relative to the shaft, the flapping lock operable in the unlocked position to allow the at least some flapping movement of the rotor hub relative to the shaft.

A method of selectively preventing flapping of a rotor hub includes providing a flapping lock proximate to a rotor hub and shaft assembly and moving the flapping lock from an unlocked position to a locked position, the flapping lock operable in the locked position to prevent at least some flapping movement of the rotor hub relative to the shaft, the flapping lock operable in the unlocked position to allow the at least some flapping movement of the rotor hub relative to the shaft.

An aerial system includes a body, a propeller coupled to the body, and a motor coupled to the propeller. The motor is configured to rotate the propeller in a first direction, wherein an other portion of the aerial system rotates in an opposing second direction. The other portion of the aerial system that rotation in the opposing second direction may be the body or a second propeller. The aerial system also includes a processing system configured to control the motor to cause the aerial system to hover in a substantially fixed pose, and a camera configured to obtain images of an environment proximate the aerial system while the aerial system is hovering.

An aerial vehicle includes a body defining a stowage compartment, and a flight module supported by the body in the stowage compartment. The flight module includes rotors operable to generate aerodynamic force, and is reconfigurable between a stowage configuration and a flight configuration. In the stowage configuration, the flight module is housed by the stowage compartment, with each rotor tucked inboard the body in a stowage position. In the flight configuration, each rotor is perched outboard the body with a skyward-facing orientation in a flight position. Aerodynamic force generated by the rotors is thereby usable for flying through the air.

An aerial vehicle includes a body defining a stowage compartment, and a flight module supported by the body in the stowage compartment. The flight module includes rotors operable to generate aerodynamic force, and is reconfigurable between a stowage configuration and a flight configuration. In the stowage configuration, the flight module is housed by the stowage compartment, with each rotor tucked inboard the body in a stowage position. In the flight configuration, each rotor is perched outboard the body with a skyward-facing orientation in a flight position. Aerodynamic force generated by the rotors is thereby usable for flying through the air.

The present invention discloses an unmanned aerial vehicle including a main body, a plurality of arms, a propulsion assembly and a battery assembly, where each arm is coupled to the main body and the propulsion assembly is disposed on the each arm. The battery assembly is accommodated in a battery compartment of the main body. The battery assembly includes a shell, a battery body substantially disposed in the shell, a clamp button, and a restorable elastic piece. An end of the clamp button is mounted or connects to the shell, and the other end of the clamp button is detachably coupled to the main body. An end of the restorable elastic piece is disposed on the shell or connect to the shell, and the other end of the restorable elastic piece contacts the clamp button.