Abstract: Line capture devices for unmanned aircraft, and associated systems and methods are disclosed. A system in accordance with a particular embodiment includes a line capture device body having a line slot with an open end and a closed end. A retainer is positioned proximate to the line slot and has a rotor with a plurality of rotor arms positioned to extend at least partially across the line slot as the rotor rotates relative to the body. A joint rotatably couples the rotor to the body, and a ratchet device is operably coupled to the rotor to allow the rotor to rotate in a first direction and at least restrict the rotor arm from rotating in a second direction opposite the first. In other embodiments, the retainer can include other arrangements, for example, one or more wire-shaped elements.

Abstract: Stations for deployment, recharging and/or maintenance of a plurality of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are disclosed herein. Such deployment stations can be implemented in a container that includes a robotic arm and a conveyor system. The robotic arm can secure a UAV hovering outside the station, move the UAV inside the station, and transfer the UAV to the conveyor. The conveyor can couple to and move multiple UAVs. Further, charging systems may be integrated in such deployment stations to charge UAVs when coupled to and moving along the conveyer. Further, process pieces may be utilized to simplify mechanical and electrical interfacing between a UAV, the robotic arm, the conveyor, the charging system and/or other systems at the UAV station.

Abstract: A vortex generator arrangement comprising a section that defines an opening to a corresponding cavity, an aircraft airflow modification device disposed within the cavity, and at least one fluidic muscle actuator arrangement coupled to the airflow modification device.

Abstract: An aircraft region comprising an aisle section extending in a longitudinal direction of the aircraft region, a bench seat oriented transversely with respect to the longitudinal direction and having a first seat adjacent to the aisle section and a second seat arranged remote from the aisle section, and an aircraft stowage bin system having a first stowage bin arranged at least in part above the first seat and a second stowage bin arranged at least in part above the second seat. The first stowage bin has a first rear side facing away from the aisle section, and the second stowage bin has a second rear side facing away from the aisle section. The second stowage bin is arranged above the second seat such that it is accessible for a person sitting on the second seat or standing in the longitudinal direction in front of the second seat.

Abstract: Core structures for composite panels, aircraft including the same, and related methods. A core structure includes a core body defining a first body side, a second body side, and a plurality of core cells. Each core cell includes at least one cell wall and defines a tubular cell void. Each core cell includes a bulk region and a transition region. Each cell wall is flared within the transition region to increase a surface area of the first body side relative to an average transverse cross-sectional area of the core body. A composite panel includes a core structure with at least one laminate ply coupled to the first body side of a core body. A method of manufacturing a composite panel includes forming a core body via an additive manufacturing process and operatively attaching at least one laminate ply to the core body.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a system includes an unmanned, multirotor helicopter and a fixed-wing aircraft. The multirotor helicopter may couple to the fixed-wing aircraft to support and hold the fixed-wing aircraft. The multirotor helicopter may then elevate the fixed-wing aircraft from a launch site to a release altitude. The multirotor helicopter may also accelerate the fixed-wing aircraft to a release speed and upon reaching the release speed, release the fixed-wing aircraft. The unmanned, multirotor helicopter may then return to the launch site.

Abstract: A composite edge of an aircraft wing includes a composite wing box skin panel, attached to an outward wing spar in an attachment region, and a composite ramp, upon an outer surface of, and co-cured with, the composite wing box skin panel. The composite wing box skin panel has a proximal end and a distal end, with an overhanging edge, with substantially constant thickness and ply count in the attachment region. The composite ramp has a maximum ramp thickness at the distal end, the distal end being set back from the overhanging edge, defining a shoulder on the overhanging edge. A composite wing edge skin panel, having a thickness substantially equal to the maximum ramp thickness, is attached to the composite wing box skin panel at the shoulder and adjacent to the distal end of the ramp.

Abstract: The present application provides a gimbal quick assembly/disassembly apparatus and an unmanned aerial vehicle having the same. The gimbal quick assembly/disassembly apparatus includes a fuselage seat component, a gimbal seat component and a locking component. The fuselage seat component is fixedly mounted on a bearing member, the gimbal seat component is fixedly mounted on a gimbal and the gimbal seat component includes a gimbal seat. The locking component is mounted on the fuselage seat component or on the gimbal seat component and the gimbal seat component and the fuselage seat component are detachably mounted together by using the locking component. The gimbal is detachably mounted on the unmanned aerial vehicle, resolving problems of complex assembled/disassembled operations and low efficiency that are caused when the gimbal is fixedly mounted on the unmanned aerial vehicle and realizing quick assembly/disassembly of the gimbal to/from the unmanned aerial vehicle.

Abstract: A gas turbine engine includes an inlet duct that is formed with a generally elliptical shape. The inlet duct includes a vertical centerline and a fan section that has an axis of rotation. The axis of rotation is spaced from the vertical centerline and is disposed within an inlet duct orifice.

Abstract: A folding wing having a wing tip device (3) rotatable between flight and ground configurations, about an Euler axis of rotation (11). The wing tip device (3) and a fixed wing (1) are separated along an oblique cut plane (13) passing through the upper and lower surfaces of the folding wing. A rotational joint (15) for coupling the wing tip device (3) to the fixed wing (1) during rotation between the ground and flight configurations. The rotational joint includes a follower (17a) and a guide (17b), one which being fixed relative to the wing tip device and the other being fixed relative to the fixed wing. The follower and guide interlock such as by interlocking rings. The follower is received in the guide such that during rotation between the ground and flight configurations the follower moves along the arcuate path defined by the guide.

Abstract: A mechanical joiner for an airframe includes a joiner core and first and second caps. The joiner core has a first side with a first cradle shaped to hold a first structural member and a second side with a second cradle shaped to hold a second structural member. The first cap is shaped to mate to the first side and clamp the first structural member into the first cradle. The joiner core includes a first hole for a first mechanical fastener to extend through and across the first cradle and secure the first cap to the joiner core. The second cap is shaped to mate to the second side and clamp the first structural member into the second cradle. The second cap includes second holes for second mechanical fasteners, distinct from the first mechanical fastener, to secure the second cap to the joiner core.

Abstract: An aerodynamic device for enhancing lift and reducing drag on a body, comprising a plurality of raised members, each having a symmetric profile and including a central portion having an elongated profile, and first and second outer portions having elongated profiles and arranged substantially parallel to and on opposing sides of the central portion, wherein the plurality of raised members are situated adjacent one another to form a continuous structure on or defining at least a portion of a surface of the body and oriented such that the raised members are substantially aligned with a direction of localized flow on the body. An aerodynamic device for enhancing lift and reducing drag of a flying disc, wherein the plurality of raised members are situated adjacent one another to form a continuous structure and the raised members are oriented in a substantially circumferential direction on the surface of the flying disc.

Abstract: A transport drone includes: a drone body; a transport unit for carrying an object to be transported; a balancing unit comprising a balancing frame and a swinging device, wherein the balancing frame is connected to the transport unit; the swinging device is respectively connected to the balancing frame and the drone body; the swinging device has rotational freedom; a sensor placed on the balancing frame for detecting a tilt angle of the balancing frame; and a controller electrically connected to both the sensor and the swinging device, wherein the controller controls rotation of the swinging device according to the tilt angle detected by the sensor, so as to adjust the tilt angle of the balancing frame and keep the transport unit in a horizontal state. The transport drone ensures that the items to be transported are in a horizontal state, effectively preventing dumping or damage of the items.

Abstract: A method for charging an aerial vehicle is implementable by an aerial vehicle and may comprise: obtaining a relative location of the aerial vehicle to a landing deck, and landing to the landing deck according to the relative location; sending an instruction signal to a charging apparatus located on the landing deck, to cause the charging apparatus to detect a movement route from the charging apparatus to the aerial vehicle; and docking to the charging apparatus via a charging end of the aerial vehicle.

Abstract: A drive train for a helicopter, which includes an engine, a reduction gear and a main gearbox, the reduction gear including an output shaft, which are received in assembled front and rear housings, the output shaft being supported and guided rotatably by a plurality of rolling bearings, mounted in the housings. The drive train includes a redundant mount arranged around the output shaft and between a wall of the main gearbox and the front end of the front housing, and the redundant mount is configured, sized and attached to the wall of the main gearbox and to the front end of the front housing so as to create, if the front housing breaks, a secondary path for absorbing loads passing via the redundant mount, via the output shaft of the reduction gear and via the bearings.

Abstract: A drone with a horizontal rotor includes one or more rotor(s) (115, 116) which rotate in a horizontal plane, each rotor (115, 116) being equipped with one or more rigid or non-rigid blades (120, 121), the blade end being mounted on an electric motor (110, 111) with a propeller.

Abstract: A pusher rotorcraft is provided in one example embodiment and may include at least one engine in mechanical communication with a drop-down gearbox; a driveshaft in mechanical communication with the drop-down gearbox, a main rotor gearbox, and a tail system gearbox; a main rotor system in mechanical communication with the main rotor gearbox; an anti-torque system in mechanical communication with the tail system gearbox; and a pusher propeller system in mechanical communication with the tail system gearbox.

Abstract: A vacuum lighter than air vehicle (VLTAV) includes a rigid frame of rods connected together to form a hexakis icosahedron. A membrane skin covers the rigid frame and defines therewith a vessel configured to hold an internal vacuum that allows the vessel to float in the air. The plurality of rods and membrane skin have weights and dimensions that result in a neutral and/or positive buoyancy for the vessel while preventing geometric instability.

Abstract: One variation of a tram system includes: a chassis; a latch configured to selectively engage a latch receiver mounted to an aircraft; an alignment feature adjacent the latch and configured to engage an alignment receiver mounted to the aircraft and to communicate acceleration and braking forces from the chassis into the aircraft; an optical sensor facing upwardly from the chassis; a drivetrain configured to accelerate and decelerate the chassis along a runway; and a controller configured to detect an optical fiducial arranged on the aircraft in optical images recorded by the optical sensor adjust a speed of the drivetrain to longitudinally align the alignment feature with the alignment receiver based on positions of the optical fiducial detected in the optical images, trigger the latch to engage the latch receiver once the aircraft has descended onto the chassis, and trigger the drivetrain to actively decelerate the chassis during a landing routine.

Abstract: An aircraft landing gear comprising at least an axle carried in the bottom portion of the landing gear, a wheel provided with a rim mounted on the axle of the landing gear via bearings in order to rotate about an axis of rotation, a brake threaded on the axle and including a torque tube extending around the axle, friction members mounted around the torque tube and extending between the torque tube and the rim of the wheel, and at least one brake actuator designed for selectively exerting a braking force on the friction members, the brake actuator being carried by an actuator carrier to which the torque tube is secured, and a rotary drive for driving the wheel in rotation comprising firstly an actuator for driving the wheel in rotation and secondly a transmission member for selectively transmitting movement in rotation from the rotation actuator to the rim of the wheel and extending between the axle and the torque tube.