Abstract:
An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) ground station, comprising: a landing surface having a perimeter and a center; a plurality of pushers held above the landing surface by a plurality of linear actuators; at least one electro-mechanical connector attached to one of the plurality of pushers, mechanically adapted to be electrically connected to a compatible electro-mechanical connector of a UAV; and a landing detection controller adapted to instruct the plurality of linear actuators to move the plurality of pushers simultaneously from the perimeter toward the center when a landing event related to the UAV is detected.
Abstract:
A system and method is provided for alerting a crew member of a rotorcraft that at least one tie-down device is still attached to the rotorcraft is provided. The system includes or cooperates with at least one source of tie-down sensor data. A processor is operationally coupled to the source of tie-down sensor data and to a source of rotorcraft data and causes a warning to be generated if at least one attached tie-down device is sensed.
Abstract:
A system that includes a ground unit that includes: a takeoff and landing platform; a landing and takeoff assisting module; and a housing. The takeoff and landing platform is arranged to hold and support an aerial unit during a first part of a landing process of the aerial unit and a first part of takeoff process of the aerial unit. The aerial unit is coupled to the ground unit via a connecting element. The effective length of the connecting element increases during the takeoff process and decreases during the landing process. The landing and takeoff assisting module is coupled to the takeoff and landing platform and is arranged to (a) lower the takeoff and landing platform into the housing during a second part of the landing process and (b) elevate the takeoff and landing platform during a second part of the takeoff process.
Abstract:
An anchoring device in a helicopter deck, where a housing that is provided with an open top and lowered into the helicopter deck, contains a fastener which is vertically displaceable between a withdrawn, inactive position and an active position where an upper fastener portion extends at least partly up from the helicopter deck. The upper fastener portion is arranged to be detachably connected to an anchoring means. The housing is provided with a detachable lid arranged to be able to close tightly against the housing.
Abstract:
Some embodiments relate to a system and method of automatically transporting cargo from a loading station to an unloading station using a vehicle. Loading and unloading of cargo may be accomplished automatically without the need for human operators of either the loading station, the unloading station, or the vehicle. The unloading and loading station each comprise guide rails and a plurality of directional signal sources used by the vehicle to control its current position so that it may retrieve and deliver a target load. The vehicle comprises at least one sensor for detecting modulated directional signals and a controller to control the current position of the vehicle based on the received signals.
Abstract:
The harpoon comprises a bistable actuator (34) having a rod (56) for actuating the finger (32) the rod being movable between a retracted resting position and an extended position of deployment of the finger (32).The bistable actuator (34) comprises a tappet (52) that is movable during a first impulse comprising a stroke (34) in a first direction and then a stroke in a second direction opposite to the first direction in order to cause the switch of the rod (56) from its retracted position to its extended position.The tappet (52) is movable during a second impulse comprising a stroke in the first direction and then a stroke in the second direction in order to cause the switch of the rod (56) from its extended position to its retracted position.The actuator (34) is configured so as to allow the return of the rod (56) to its retracted position when the tappet (52) moves along the first stroke in the first direction during the second impulse.
Abstract:
An aerial unit, a method and a system are provide, the system includes a ground unit; an aerial unit and a connecting element arranged to connect the ground unit to the aerial unit. The ground unit may include a connecting element manipulator, a ground unit controller for controlling the connecting element manipulator; and a ground unit location sensor arranged to generate ground unit location information indicative of a location of the ground unit. The wherein the aerial unit may include a first propeller, a frame, a first propeller motor, at least one steering element; and an aerial unit location sensor arranged to generate aerial unit location information indicative of a location of the aerial unit. At least one of the ground unit and the aerial unit includes a controller that is arranged to control, at least in response to a relationship between the aerial unit location information and the ground unit location information, at least one of the first propeller motor and the at least one steering element to affect at least one of the location of the aerial unit and an orientation of the aerial unit.
Abstract:
Various embodiments of the present disclosure provide an apparatus configured to automatically retrieve, service, and launch an aircraft. For retrieval, the aircraft drops a weighted cable, and pulls it at low relative speed into a broad aperture of the apparatus. In certain instances, the cable is dragged along guiding surfaces of the apparatus into and through a slot until its free end is captured. The aircraft becomes anchored to the apparatus, and is pulled downward by the cable into a receptacle. Guiding surfaces of the receptacle adjust the position and orientation of a probe on the aircraft, directing the probe to mate with a docking fixture of the apparatus. Once mated, the aircraft is automatically shut down and serviced. When desired, the aircraft is automatically started and tested in preparation for launch, and then released into free flight. A full ground-handling cycle is thus accomplished with a simple, economical apparatus.
Abstract:
Various embodiments of the present disclosure provide an apparatus configured to automatically retrieve, service, and launch an aircraft. For retrieval, the aircraft drops a weighted cable, and pulls it at low relative speed into a broad aperture of the apparatus. In certain instances, the cable is dragged along guiding surfaces of the apparatus into and through a slot until its free end is captured. The aircraft becomes anchored to the apparatus, and is pulled downward by the cable into a receptacle. Guiding surfaces of the receptacle adjust the position and orientation of a probe on the aircraft, directing the probe to mate with a docking fixture of the apparatus. Once mated, the aircraft is automatically shut down and serviced. When desired, the aircraft is automatically started and tested in preparation for launch, and then released into free flight. A full ground-handling cycle is thus accomplished with a simple, economical apparatus.
Abstract:
Various embodiments of the present disclosure provide an apparatus configured to automatically retrieve, service, and launch an aircraft. For retrieval, the aircraft drops a weighted cable, and pulls it at low relative speed into a broad aperture of the apparatus. In certain instances, the cable is dragged along guiding surfaces of the apparatus into and through a slot until its free end is captured. The aircraft becomes anchored to the apparatus, and is pulled downward by the cable into a receptacle. Guiding surfaces of the receptacle adjust the position and orientation of a probe on the aircraft, directing the probe to mate with a docking fixture of the apparatus. Once mated, the aircraft is automatically shut down and serviced. When desired, the aircraft is automatically started and tested in preparation for launch, and then released into free flight. A full ground-handling cycle is thus accomplished with a simple, economical apparatus.