Abstract: A battery assembly is configured to be installed on a drone. The battery assembly includes a battery, a chassis and some of swing arms. The chassis has a space within and is configured to accommodate the battery. The swing arms are pivotally connected with the chassis respectively and are located in the space. Each of the swing arms has a hook and a bump. The hooks at least partially face to each other. The bumps at least partially face to each other. When the battery is located in the space, the bumps are compressed by the battery to make the swing arms respectively rotate relative to the chassis, such that the hooks move close to each other and the battery is buckled and fixed in the space. At least one electrical connector located on the hooks contacts a conductor located on a side of the battery.

Abstract: Vertical take-off, landing and horizontal straight flight of an aircraft includes activation a plurality of front and rear lifting propellers, each of which is connected to a respective independently operating electric motor. In addition, horizontal straight flight of the aircraft includes activation of additional left and right pushing in-ring propellers, each of which is connected to an independently operating electric motor. The front and rear lifting propellers are respectively positioned generally horizontally and symmetrically opposite to one another and equidistantly relative to a longitudinal axis of the aircraft. The right pushing in-ring propeller and the left pushing in-ring propeller are positioned generally vertically and symmetrically opposite to one another and equidistantly relative to the longitudinal axis of the aircraft.

Abstract: A weed-guarded hook assembly includes a first weed guard body that is attached to a fishing hook. The first weed guard body defines at least one aperture that is configured to receive a weed guard member. The weed guard member can extend through an eyelet so as to define first and second segments of the weed guard member. The first segment can extend into a first aperture of the first weed guard body, and the second segment can extend into a second aperture of the first weed guard body.

Abstract: An example charging station for an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), the charging station generally including a nest and a charging device. The nest includes an upper portion and a lower portion. The upper portion defines an upper opening sized and shaped to receive a landing apparatus of the UAV, and a diameter of the nest reduces from a first diameter at the upper opening to a second diameter at the lower portion. The charging device is mounted in the nest, and includes a first contact pad and a second contact pad. The charging device is configured to apply a voltage differential across the first contact pad and the second contact pad such that the charging station is operable to charge a power supply of the UAV via the landing apparatus.

Abstract: An artificial bait with a split ring has a high tensile strength and an easily detachable hook and prevents the hook from freely rotating in water. In the artificial bait provided with the split ring with the replaceable hook, the split ring is characterized in that at least one end of the wire formed in a ring shape is curved in a direction away from the intermediate portion.

Abstract: An unmanned aerial vehicle system includes an unmanned aerial vehicle, a tether assembly selectively coupled to the unmanned aerial vehicle, a processor, and a memory. The memory contains instructions thereon, which, when executed by the processor, cause the system to disconnect the tether assembly from the unmanned aerial vehicle.

Abstract: A flexible fishing lure is provided that includes a outer shape having a transverse opening for receiving a plurality of alternatively formed lure fin members allowing a user to change the action of a lure by fin selection without replacing the lure. Multiple internal channels within the lure are adaptively provided for receiving a variety of scent sticks, sound generators, light generators, flavor generating means. Flow internal channels extend from a front opening to gill openings allowing a water flow along an inserted scent or flavor stick member to pass through the lure body and exit proximate fin, nair, belly, or other locations simulating an injured or wounded fish leaking bodily fluids or blood. Other features to simulate wounded features. Replacement fins and weighting constructions allow a user to tailor a weight and action enabling a circling or injured motion during retrieval.

Abstract: An unmanned aerial vehicle system includes a tether assembly, an unmanned aerial vehicle, a processor, and a memory. The unmanned aerial vehicle comprising a housing and a slider plate supported by the housing. The memory containing instructions thereon, which, when executed by the processor, cause the unmanned aerial vehicle to move the slider plate relative to the housing to selectively decouple the tether assembly from the housing.

Abstract: An aircraft includes a fuselage and propellers, wherein the propellers can be retracted beneath the fuselage.

Abstract: In a first embodiment, a fishing lure comprising, a body having a fish like design with a first end and second end and a groove distal to the second end incorporated into the body, a hook integrated into the first end of the body, a stem extending a predetermined distance from the second end of the body, wherein the stem is capped, a bead inserted onto the stem, a spinner blade having at least three openings, attached to the stem by a first opening, wherein the spinner blade can rotate 360 degrees about a center axis of the stem, and a line attachment secured through a second and third opening of the spinner blade.

Abstract: A unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) battery changing station includes a UAV landing area configured to support a UAV coupled to a first battery when the UAV is resting on the battery changing station, a movable battery storage unit including a holding station configured to store a second battery, and a battery replacement member configured to retrieve the second battery from the holding station and couple the second battery to the UAV. The movable battery storage unit is configured to permit the holding station to rotate about an axis of rotation.

Abstract: Lure apparatus for fishing and associated methods are disclosed. In some embodiments, the lure apparatus includes (1) a head portion; (2) a tail portion; and (3) an optional weight portion. The head portion and the tail portion are operably engaged. The head portion has a center opening, which enables a fishing line or wire to pass through. The optional weight portion is positioned inside the head portion to adjust the weight of the overall lure apparatus. The head portion has two side openings. The tail portion has two arms, each of which has a protrusion configured to be positioned in a corresponding one of the two side openings of the head portion. Once the two protrusions are positioned in the side openings, the two protrusions engage with the head portion and restrain the tail portion from moving relatively to the head portion.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for automated launch, retrieval, and servicing of a hovering aircraft is provided. The apparatus includes a line which is elevatable while maintaining a principally horizontal axis. For retrieval, the aircraft translates principally spanwise over the line, following a path which is principally horizontal and normal to the line. At an appropriate moment, the line is elevated and contacts the aircraft's wing. As the aircraft continues translating, the line slides along the wing until captured in a cleat. The aircraft is then stably tethered in hover, and its position can be manipulated by articulating the line, such as to guide the aircraft into a docking station. For launch the aircraft lifts itself into hover while tethered to the line. Articulation of the line guides the aircraft into a launch position, at which point the line is disconnected from the cleat, thereby releasing the aircraft.

Abstract: An aero vehicle with a dual mode propulsion system that can operate in a first mode below a ramjet speed and a second mode at a ramjet speed. The first mode is operated using a compressor driven by an electric motor supplied with electrical power from a power pack. When the vehicle has reached a speed where the ramjet engine can operate, the power pack is dropped from the vehicle to decrease the weight of the vehicle.

Abstract: An aircraft undercarriage including a wheel, a support, a drive system, a mover system, a first pair of links, and a locking actuator. The drive system drives rotation of the wheel and is mounted to move relative to the support between an engaged position and a disengaged position. The mover system moves the drive system between the engaged and disengaged positions. The first pair of links are hinged to each other about a first hinge axis to pivot during the movement of the drive system between the engaged and disengaged positions. The locking actuator acts on a first target to lock or unlock the drive system. The first target is carried by one of the links.

Abstract: Automated launch and retrieval of a “tail-sitting” VTOL aircraft is accomplished by exploiting the natural stability of hover when restrained in tension by an upwind wing tip. For retrieval, a flexible rod is lifted into contact with the trailing edge of the upwind wing as the aircraft translates downwind overhead. Sliding between the rod and wing leads to interlocking of hooks at the rod end and wing tip, while the aircraft swings into a stable tethered hover downwind of the rod. The rod is then used to pull the aircraft upwind into a fixture for secure parking and servicing. After servicing, the aircraft lifts-off into tethered hover, and power margin for climb is assessed. If the aircraft is judged to have sufficient power safely to proceed, then the interlocking hooks are disengaged, leaving the aircraft to climb away in free flight.

Abstract: A device for trapping a rodent includes one or more of a floor, walls connected to the floor, an aperture in at least one of the walls, and a platform positioned within the container. The platform is positioned adjacent to the aperture and elevated above the floor. An adhesive is positioned on the floor. The aperture is sized to permit a rodent to gain access to the platform.

Abstract: Disclosed is a spacecraft including: a housing defining an exterior space, the housing having a first face and a second face; and first and second radiators carried by the first and second faces, the first and second radiators each having an inner main face, an outer main face, and side faces. The spacecraft includes a first auxiliary radiator and a first auxiliary heat transfer device thermally connecting the first auxiliary radiator to the inner main face of the second radiator, the first auxiliary radiator being arranged in a first portion of the exterior space defined by the outer main face of the first radiator and by first planes containing the side faces of the first radiator. The first auxiliary heat transfer device includes a heat conducting device. The first auxiliary radiator is composed solely of one or two radiating panels supporting the heat conducting device.

Abstract: An electric powered paraglider is provided. An electric powered paraglider includes a frame which includes a plurality of connector points. The electric powered paraglider also includes a propulsion unit mechanically coupled to the frame. The propulsion unit includes at least one propeller and configured to generate a predefined amount of thrust using at least one electric motor. The electric powered paraglider also includes a throttle controller unit physically or wirelessly connected to the flight control unit. The throttle controller unit includes at least three switches. The at least three switches are configured to operate one or more parameters of the paraglider. The electric powered paraglider also includes a power latching unit mechanically coupled to the frame. The power latching unit includes a plurality of batteries. The power latching unit is configured to allow a user to swap the plurality of batteries by implementing a power latching mechanism.

Abstract: An aircraft is provided including a fuselage that extends along a longitudinal direction between a forward end and an aft end. A boundary layer ingestion fan is mounted to the fuselage at the aft end and is configured for ingesting boundary layer airflow off the surface of the fuselage. The fuselage defines a profile proximate the boundary layer ingestion fan that is optimized for ingesting a maximum amount of boundary layer air and improving propulsive efficiency of the aircraft. More specifically, the fuselage defines a cross sectional profile upstream of the boundary layer ingestion fan that has more cross sectional area in a top half relative to a bottom half as defined relative to a centerline of the boundary layer ingestion fan.