Abstract: A remotely actuated aerial spreading device is provided. The device includes a plurality of components including a nose cone hingably and actuatably coupled to a first opening of a container, a rear door hingably and actuatably coupled to a second opening of the container, a plurality of actuators, a mounting block coupled to the container, and a housing having a plurality of operational components disposed therein. In operation, a wireless actuation signal is received by one of the plurality of operational components which causes an actuator to release a lock allowing the rear door to open, allowing suction to build in the container. After a brief delay a second actuator causes the nose cone to actuate introducing airflow into the first opening. Airflow introduced to the container through the first opening causes a payload to be dispersed.

Abstract: A takeoff and landing pad apparatus for an unmanned aerial vehicle includes: a pad including a takeoff and landing surface; a mooring mechanism configured to moor the unmanned aerial vehicle on the pad; a drive source configured to rotate the pad together with the mooring mechanism; and a controller configured to control operation with the mooring mechanism and the drive source. The controller drives, based on information about a wind direction to be acquired, the drive source to rotate such that a nose of the unmanned aerial vehicle on the takeoff and landing surface faces the wind direction.

Abstract: An aerial lighting system includes: two or more unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) each including a corresponding high-powered LED array arranged to illuminate an area beneath the UAVs when the UAVs are airborne; a base station configured to retain the UAVs when not airborne, wherein the base station includes a controller for controlling the UAVs; and a plurality of cables for transferring power and data, including: (i) a first cable detachably coupled between the base station and a first UAV, wherein the first UAV receives power from the base station and communicates with the controller via the first cable, and (ii) a second cable detachably coupled between the first UAV and a second UAV, wherein the second UAV receives power from the base station and communicates with the controller via the second cable.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an autonomous, electric, vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) aircraft that is low-noise, safe, and efficient to operate for cargo transportation over relatively long ranges. A VTOL aircraft includes a fuselage, a plurality of arms, a tail, and a plurality of propulsion systems mounted on the arms and the tail. The plurality of arms have parts that are rotatable and the tail has a part that is rotatable for transitioning the VTOL aircraft between a forward-flight configuration and a hover configuration.

Abstract: A centralized multi engine startup system including a pallet structure; an energized gas source supported by the pallet structure; an umbilical gas line fluidly coupled to the energized gas source; and a vehicle in operative communication with the umbilical gas line, wherein each of the energized gas source and umbilical gas line are coupled to the pallet structure and remain with the pallet structure responsive to a vehicle launch from the pallet structure.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides doorway protection assemblies with a base portion and two leg portions that can be positioned over and protect the exterior surrounding a doorway of a vehicle, such as an aircraft, from damage while cargo or other items are being loaded into or unloaded from the vehicle. Each assembly can include one or more attachment portions that wrap over and attach to the door sill area or side jambs of the vehicle doorway in order to secure the assembly in place. Each assembly can include a cushion layer between the various portions and the exterior of the aircraft to further avoid or reduce damage. Each assembly can include retention straps that releasably attach to anchors on the vehicle to further secure the assembly on the vehicle doorway.

Abstract: The electronic paper dispenser includes an upper compartment. The upper compartment includes an inner compartment, wherein the inner compartment contains a motion sensor, rollers, and a paper feeder. The paper feeder dispenses paper upon the activation of the motion sensor, which is in communication with a processor, which sends a signal to the rollers to release paper. The electronic paper dispenser includes an adjustable telescoping pole. The adjustable telescoping pole includes a top portion, which is connected to the upper compartment, wherein the top portion includes a height adjuster for adjusting the height of the electronic paper dispense. The adjustable telescoping pole incudes a bottom portion. The bottom portion is connected to a base.

Abstract: A chassis quick release device includes a housing including a base with a connected sliding channel and accommodating space therein and a cover assembled with the base, a locking block linearly movably set in the accommodating space, and an operating handle having a rod body positioned on the sliding channel and a grip assembled with the rod body. The rod body has a cylindrical joint that corresponds to the grip and has a shaft groove defined therein. The grip is provided with a sleeve corresponding to the cylindrical joint and defining therein an accommodating cavity. Moving the operating handle in the direction of the housing causes the locking block to slide out from the accommodating space to form a locked state. Pulling the operating handle away from the housing causes the locking block to move linearly in a second direction to form an unlocked state.

Abstract: A door management system on an aircraft includes a fuselage extending along a longitudinal axis in a fore-aft direction parallel to forward flight, an opening in a sidewall of the fuselage, a door mounted on the sidewall to slide in the fore-aft direction between a closed position covering the opening and an open position revealing the opening, a cable attached to the fuselage and the door and a speed governor operatively coupled to the cable to limit a velocity of the door as it moves between the open position and the closed position.

Abstract: An electrical propulsion assembly that includes: a propeller that has a rotation axis, at least two electric motors offset relative to one another in a longitudinal direction parallel to the rotation axis of the propeller, a main drive shaft parallel to the rotation axis of the propeller to which the electric motor are coupled, a transmission system including an output shaft connected to the propeller and an input shaft connected to the main drive shaft. Also an aircraft including at least one such electrical propulsion assembly.

Abstract: A watercraft storage system for storing and securing one or more watercraft and other equipment used in conjunction with the watercraft. Securing of the watercraft in a storage location of the watercraft storage system, and the other equipment in a compartment associated with the storage location, is achieved, at least in part, by a moveable, e.g., rotational, arm structure associated with the storage location being in a locked position and the size of at least one dimension of the watercraft exceeding the size of a corresponding dimension of the storage location including the moveable arm structure.

Abstract: An innovative landing system for a spacecraft according to the invention includes a foldable tether-based carrier structure that when unfolded assumes wheel-type shape and in its centre supports a carrier platform for the payload of the spacecraft.

Abstract: A window roller shade and dimming pane assembly includes a rigid frame having a first side member on a first side and a second side member on a second side opposite the first side. An outer pane and an inner pane are disposed within the rigid frame with a gap between the outer pane and the inner pane. A roller shade includes a motor for rolling and unrolling the roller shade. A first constant force spring and a second constant force spring are each configured to pull the roller shade downwardly through the gap while the motor is unrolling the roller shade. A dimming film is disposed on the inner pane for dimming light through the inner pane. A window interface is operatively coupled to the inner pane for receiving touch input for controlling the dimming film and the roller shade.

Abstract: A method for assembling aircraft panels by welding improves the flexibility thereof. Panels are butted together along longitudinal joining lines and fixed to one another via their longitudinal edges by welding without the longitudinal ends of their welded edges being connected to one another. Longitudinal hoops are fixed to partially cover the concave surface of the panels at least partially at the ends. The absence of welding at the ends introduces the desired flexibility. The disclosure also covers the fuselage portions formed by assembling panels according to this method and the aircraft including such portions.

Abstract: A shelf post coupler may include an upper insert end and a lower insert end, each dimensioned to be received within an insert slot defined by shelving post ends to be joined. Insert holes extend through the upper insert end and the lower insert end for receiving fasteners to secure the coupler to shelving post ends. The upper and lower insert ends may each have a first side and a second side that extends from a midline along different planes. A spacer including a protruding lip may be located between the upper insert end and the lower insert end. At least one of the upper insert end and the lower insert end may include a riser and a wing. The wing may extend a greater distance from the midline than the riser.

Abstract: The invention relates to a folding device for forming folded linen sheets, with a housing having opposite side walls, a rear side and a front side, a first conveyor defining a conveying surface for introducing linen sheets, wherein in operation of the folding device said linen sheets are cross-wise folded defining fold lines parallel and length-wise folded defining fold lines perpendicularly thereto, at least one length-wise folding station for forming length-wise folded linen sheets, wherein in a conveyor loop arranged in said housing below said length-wise folding station(s) and advancing said length-wise folded linen sheets to a housing part, said housing part including a number of cross-wise folding stations for cross-wise folding said length-wise folded linen sheets and including a number of secondary conveyor loops, said secondary conveyor loops carrying and advancing said folded linen sheets.

Abstract: A wing of a vehicle can include a rigid spar. The wing can include beams configured to inflate with a gas. The beams can be disposed from a leading edge of the wing to a trailing edge of the wing. The wing can include a component coupled with the rigid spar and coupled with the trailing edge of the wing, the component to deflect the trailing edge of the wing relative to the leading edge and curve the plurality of beams.

Abstract: A wing for an aircraft includes a leading edge as a first chordwise edge, a trailing edge as a second chordwise edge, an upper skin extending between the leading edge and the trailing edge, a lower skin extending between the leading edge and the trailing edge, at least one spar extending between the upper skin and the lower skin in a spanwise direction to create wing box with the upper skin and the lower skin, and at least one of a fluid line, an electrical line, and a mechanical power transfer device attached inside or reaching into the wing box at least partially.

Abstract: A clamp assembly for use with a solar module includes a first clamping arm operably coupled to a first portion of a solar module, a second clamping arm operably coupled to a second portion of the solar module and operably coupled to the first clamping arm and disposed in juxtaposed relation thereto, and a fastener operably coupled to a respective portion of each of the first and second clamping arms. The fastener is configured to draw each of the first and second clamping arms towards one another from a first, open position, where the solar module is free to move relative to first and second clamping arms to a second, closed position, where the solar module is inhibited from moving relative to the first and second clamping arms.

Abstract: A system for ablation treatment of tissues including at least one tissue ablation device, an ablation device controller communicatively connected to the at least one tissue ablation device, and an imaging component, wherein the imaging component is configured to capture a captured image that includes a representation of the tissue ablation device. The system further including an ablation device identification component configured to receive the captured image, generate a plurality of region proposals from the captured image, extract a plurality of feature vectors from the plurality of region proposals, determine a class for each region proposal of the plurality of region proposals, and determine the position and orientation of the tissue ablation device as a function of the classes for each region proposal.