Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for controlling a netting by an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV). A mesh netting includes a plurality of nettings arranged as interspersed layers in a mesh form. Each of the plurality of nettings has fire-resistant property. Further, a battery powered UAV is present at an aerial location. The mesh netting is coupled to the UAV such that the UAV maintains the mesh netting afloat and adjusts at a position such that a particular source of flying embers is covered with the mesh netting. Also, a lifting kite coupled to the UAV at one end and attached to the mesh netting at another end is provided. The lifting kite carries and holds the mesh netting aloft when the UAV brings the lifting kite at an aloft position such that a particular source is covered with the mesh netting.

Abstract: The present invention includes a hybrid propulsion system for an aircraft comprising: an engine disposed within a fuselage of the aircraft, two electrical generators disposed within the fuselage and connected to the engine, and two nacelles. Each nacelle comprises a proprotor, and each nacelle houses two electric motors connected to the proprotor. Each electrical generator is connected to the two electric motors in each nacelle. The proprotors provide lift for vertical takeoff and landing in a helicopter mode. A fan is coupled to the fuselage and connected to two additional electric motors. Each additional electric motor is connected to one of the two electric generators. The fan provides thrust for forward flight during an airplane mode. The airplane mode includes increasing power to the fan while decreasing power to the proprotors to zero.

Abstract: In a flying object, a PCU has a plurality of operation modes in which an engine and/or a motor generator is used as a driving source for a pusher propeller. In accordance with the state of the flying object, the PCU controls the engine, a clutch, and the motor generator in one of the operation modes.

Abstract: A drone or an aircraft for personal air mobility includes at least one horizontal planar structure having four ducted propeller rotors with vertical axis, which are substantially coplanar with each other. Each of the rotors has a rotating ring rotatably mounted within a circular opening. The rotating ring is configured as to define an annular wall for ducting of air flow produced by the rotor. Each of the rotors has one or more blades which extend towards the central axis of the rotor, and have tips terminating at a distance from the axis of the propeller, such that each rotor is an annular propeller. The rotating ring of each rotor is controlled by an actuator.

Abstract: Examples include a cargo container for carrying items in an aircraft. The cargo container includes a first sidewall including a first length and a second sidewall including a second length extending transversely from the first sidewall. The first length is greater than the second length. The cargo container further includes a base sidewall extending from the first sidewall and the second sidewall, where the base sidewall is configured to support the cargo container on a cargo support surface of the aircraft. The cargo container further includes a lid configured to couple to the first sidewall, the second sidewall, or the base sidewall to at least partially cover a cavity formed by the first sidewall, the second sidewall, and the base sidewall.

Abstract: In a flying object, a PCU has a plurality of operation modes in which an engine and/or a motor generator is used as a driving source for a pusher propeller. In accordance with the state of the flying object, the PCU controls the engine, a first clutch, the motor generator, and a second clutch in one of the operation modes.

Abstract: The present invention provides an aircraft design which incorporates a modular design including the use of one or more multi-motor assemblies where the motors are in series within the multi-motor assembly. Still further, the multi-motor assemblies may be configured to include modular motor assemblies or modular sections. Ultimately, the present invention provides an aircraft with the ability to easily assemble or expand the multi-motor assemblies and, in doing so, modify the characteristics of the aircraft. The modularity also enhances the ability to maintain the aircraft by enabling motors or the units housing each motor to easily be replaced.

Abstract: A hybrid electric aircraft powerplant arrangement can include a first wing pair of powerplants for a first wing of an aircraft, the first wing pair comprising a first electric powerplant configured to drive a first air mover and a first heat engine powerplant configured to drive a second air mover separate from the first air mover. The arrangement can include a second wing pair of powerplants for a second wing of the aircraft, the second wing pair comprising a second electric powerplant configured to drive a third air mover separate from the first and second air movers, and a second heat engine powerplant configured to drive a fourth air mover separate from the first, second, and third air movers.

Abstract: Apparatus for a motive device that combines a prime mover integrated with one or more drivers for multimodal locomotion. The motive device has an axle configured to connect to a vehicle and has a ground configuration for land travel and a fan configuration for lift and flight. The motive device includes a prime mover integrated with a ground driver and a fan driver. The motive device includes a multitude of stator windings attached to the axle and a multitude of magnets attached to rotors. The ground driver includes a wheel with the spokes extending from at least one rotor. The wheel rotates for land-based locomotion when in the ground configuration. The fan driver includes blades extending from another rotor. The blades rotate for lift and flight when in the fan configuration.

Abstract: Described herein are systems for automated docking of an unmanned aerial vehicle. For example, some systems include a landing surface configured to hold an unmanned aerial vehicle; a box configured to enclose the landing surface in a first arrangement of the dock and expose the landing surface in a second arrangement of the dock; and a retractable arm, wherein the landing surface is positioned at an end of the retractable arm and the retractable arm is configured to extend to move the landing surface outside of the box and contract to pull the landing surface inside of the box.

Abstract: Described herein are systems for automated docking of an unmanned aerial vehicle. For example, some systems include an unmanned aerial vehicle including a propulsion mechanism, a battery, and a processing apparatus; and a dock including a landing surface with a funnel geometry shaped to fit a bottom surface of the unmanned aerial vehicle at a base of the funnel, wherein tapered sides of the funnel form corners at the base of the funnel, and a battery charger configured to charge the battery of the unmanned aerial vehicle while the unmanned aerial vehicle is on the landing surface, wherein conducting contacts of the battery charger are on the landing surface, positioned at the bottom of the funnel.

Abstract: An aerial vehicle including a main body having a leading edge. An inlet is recessed aft from the leading edge. Forward protrusions extend from the main body on opposite sides of the inlet. An outlet nozzle is proximate to an aft end. The inlet is in fluid communication with the outlet nozzle. Wings extend from the main body.

Abstract: An aircraft is described that comprises: a fuselage with a first axis of longitudinal extension; and a tail portion arranged at a tail end of the fuselage; the tail portion comprises two surfaces arranged in a V-shape, inclined to each other and symmetrical with respect to the first axis; each surface comprises an associated winglet arranged transversely with respect to the surface and fixed with respect to the surface.

Abstract: A parachute device includes a parachute, a parachute accommodation section configured to accommodate the parachute, at least one flying body including a flying body main body section connected to the parachute, and a gas generating device configured to generate gas. The parachute device further includes an ejection section configured to eject the flying body, and a lead wire configured to ignite the gas generating device. The flying body main body section is engaged with the ejection section, the gas generating device is disposed in an internal space defined by the ejection section and the flying body main body section, and the lead wire is led out from the internal space in a different direction from an ejection direction of the flying body in a state with one end connected to the gas generating device.

Abstract: A mission pod configured to be carried by a UAV or other aerial vehicle and accompanying systems and methods to allow the unattended accomplishment of diverse mission types is described. The mission pod having means for communication between the pod and UAV, mechanisms for removably attaching the pod to, and detaching the pod from, the UAV without the intervention of ground crew, mechanisms for facilitating power, fuel, and/or data transfer between the pod and UAV, means for securing various mission components within the pod, and pod configurations supporting various sensing modalities and other mission requirements.

Abstract: An unmanned aerial vehicle according to the present invention include: a main body; plural arms as supports that extend from the main body and support rotors; cloth-like parts held in a standby state in which the cloth-like parts are folded at positions close to the main body; and deployment mechanisms that are provided in the arms and each configured to move a portion of the cloth-like part in a direction away from the main body so that the cloth-like part-is switched from the standby state to a deployed state in which the cloth-like part is spread between the arms in plan view.

Abstract: An aircraft is provided. The aircraft includes a ducted wing portion and a fan chamber. The fan chamber is attached to a bottom of the ducted wing portion. A fan assembly is provided in the fan chamber and is operative to blow air through the ducted wing portion. The ducted wing portion is configured to direct air blown by the fan assembly down to provide lift for the aircraft.

Abstract: Described herein are systems for automated docking of an unmanned aerial vehicle. For example, some systems include an unmanned aerial vehicle including a propulsion mechanism, an image sensor, and processing apparatus; and a dock including a landing surface configured to hold the unmanned aerial vehicle and a fiducial on the landing surface, wherein the processing apparatus is configured to: control the propulsion mechanism to cause the unmanned aerial vehicle to fly to a first location in a vicinity of the dock; access one or more images captured using the image sensor; detect the fiducial in at least one of the one or more images; determine a pose of the fiducial based on the one or more images; and control, based on the pose of the fiducial, the propulsion mechanism to cause the unmanned aerial vehicle to land on the landing surface.

Abstract: The present invention provides an aircraft design which incorporates a modular design including the use of one or more multi-motor assemblies where the motors are in series within the multi-motor assembly. Still further, the multi-motor assemblies may be configured to include modular motor assemblies or modular sections. Ultimately, the present invention provides an aircraft with the ability to easily assemble or expand the multi-motor assemblies and, in doing so, modify the characteristics of the aircraft. The modularity also enhances the ability to maintain the aircraft by enabling motors or the units housing each motor to easily be replaced.

Abstract: Example methods and systems for coupling and controlling transport of cargo using an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) are provided, comprising coupling at least one electronically-controllable attachment device positioned on an underside of the UAV to a sling cable, the sling cable being secured to the cargo. The UAV flies to a predetermined area above the cargo, and responsive to determining that the UAV is positioned within the predetermined area, the UAV elevates above the initial operating height to lift the cargo and navigates to a target location.