Abstract: An aerial drone for repairing holes or punctures in a membrane on a roof, characterized in that the aerial drone comprises at least one camera for recording a section of the membrane, an applicator adapted to apply material onto the section of the membrane, wherein the applicator is controllable wirelessly from a different altitude and/or the ground.

Abstract: A vibration control assembly includes a housing having an interior region and an inner mass including a cage disposed within the interior region of the housing and being rotatable within the housing about a first axis and a gyroscope wheel disposed within the cage and rotatable about a second axis other than the first axis. At least one driving source includes a stator and is operable to interact with a magnetic field of the inner mass to drive rotation of the inner mass about at least one of the first axis and the second axis, wherein the at least one driving source is mounted within the interior region of the housing.

Abstract: A wing tip device for a fixed wing aircraft is disclosed having an alular-like projection, a first leading edge region having a first sweep angle, a second leading edge region outboard of the first leading edge region in a spanwise direction and having a second sweep angle greater than the first sweep angle, a third leading edge region outboard of the second leading edge region in the spanwise direction and adjacent a tip end of the wing tip device and having a third sweep angle greater than the first sweep angle. The second leading edge region is adapted to generate a first vortex, and the third leading edge region is adapted to generate a second vortex which builds towards the tip end of the wing tip device.

Abstract: Systems and methods related to landing unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are provided. In one example, a method includes receiving a UAV on a surface of a landing platform. The method may further include operating a positioning device disposed under the surface to locate the UAV. The method may further include operating the positioning device to move the UAV to a location and/or an orientation on the surface. The UAV may comprise landing gear having a plurality of legs, where each leg comprises a shock absorption system. The method may further include operating the shock absorption system during the receiving operation to reduce force received at stress areas of the UAV, and after the receiving operation, operating the shock absorption system to dampen movement by the UAV. Related devices and systems are also provided.

Abstract: A flexible coupling includes a first flange having an outer edge, a first surface, a second surface opposite the first surface, and a first plurality of passages. A second flange including an outer edge section, a first surface section, a second surface section opposite the first surface section, and a second plurality of passages. A connecting element extends between and connecting the first flange and the second flange through one of the first plurality of passages and one of the second plurality passages. The connecting element includes a connecting member having a first stop element and a second stop element. A compliant component is arranged on the connecting element. The compliant component is positioned on the connecting member between one of: the first stop element and the first surface; the second stop element and the second surface section; and between the second surface and the first surface section.

Abstract: A moving body that can be transported in a state to stabilize the posture of the transport object, without affecting the transport object due to the inclination of the moving body when moving forward. A moving body comprising a holding mechanism that has a rotation unit that rotates in the pitch direction, and approximately horizontally holds an object to be transported from the side near the center of gravity of a transport unit capable of storage or above the center of gravity. Further, a moving body wherein the holding mechanism has a uniaxial rotation unit that rotates only in the pitch direction. Further, a moving body wherein the holding mechanism approximately horizontally holds the transport unit by active control. Alternatively, the holding mechanism approximately horizontally holds the transport unit by passive control.

Abstract: Rotorcraft including a fuselage and at least three rotor system arms each having a rotor system. Each rotor system includes a mast having at least two rotor blades and an electric rotor motor. At least one rotor system arm includes a support mechanism for pivotally supporting a floating mast about at least one pivot axis whereby the floating mast is tillable relative to a fiducial tilt position. The floating mast has a controllable cyclic rotor blade pitch. A mast tilt measurement mechanism provides a mast tilt feedback signal regarding a measured tilt position of a floating mast relative to its fiducial tilt position. A flight control system continuously controls the at least three electric rotor motors and the floating masts cyclic rotor blade pitch in response to a desired input maneuver and its mast tilt feedback signal.

Abstract: An inlet cover mechanism for an air launched vehicle includes a quick release pin, a chassis, a collar, and a piston pin. The inlet cover mechanism facilitates attachment and deployment of an inlet cover with the air launched vehicle. The quick release pin is connected to the inlet cover. The chassis is connected to the air launched vehicle. The collar is connected to the chassis and is releasably engageable with the quick release pin. The piston pin is slidably engaged within the chassis and is configured to contact the quick release pin.

Abstract: A heat dissipation structure includes a housing configured to accommodate a heating element of an aerial vehicle. The housing includes a first air vent configured to guide an airflow into the housing and a second air vent configured to guide the airflow out of the housing. The airflow includes a propeller-generated airflow generated by a propeller of the aerial vehicle during rotation. The housing is located at an end of an arm of the aerial vehicle, away from the propeller in a longitudinal direction of the arm. A projection of the housing on a plane on which an area of rotation of the propeller lies at least partially overlaps the area of rotation of the propeller.

Abstract: An aerial vehicle is configured to calculate ranges to objects around the aerial vehicle when operating within indoor spaces, using a LIDAR sensor or another range sensor. The aerial vehicle calculates ranges within a plurality of sectors around the aerial vehicle and identifies a minimum distance measurement for each of the sectors. Sets of adjacent sectors having distance measurements above a threshold are identified, and bearings and minimum distance measurements of the sets of adjacent sectors are determined. When the aerial vehicle detects an object within a flight path, the aerial vehicle selects one of the sets of adjacent sectors based on the minimum distance measurements and executes a braking maneuver in a direction of the selected one of the sets of adjacent sectors.

Abstract: An attitude control module is described for providing propellant-free attitude control and momentum desaturation to a spacecraft. The attitude control module includes at least one solar sail comprising a reflective surface for reflecting solar photons; and at least one robotic arm coupled to the at least one solar sail, said at least one robotic arm comprising at least 4 degrees of freedom for positioning and orienting the at least one solar sail relative to the spacecraft. A corresponding method for operating the attitude control module to unload excess momentum from a spacecraft is also described.

Abstract: The invention discloses an energy self-control base station for battery replacement based on solar power supply with independent UAV take-off and landing, which comprises a UAV take-off and landing device, an automatic battery replacement device and an energy supply device. The foldable solar panel structure is driven by a motor. The invention has simple structure and is convenient for automatic battery replacement. The UAV damage caused by UAV position deviation is effectively avoided when the platform descends. The invention adopts an electric mechanical claw to cooperate with a liftable battery compartment, so as to automatically replace UAV batteries. After the electric mechanical claw is aligned with the predetermined position, the batteries can be grasped and placed by lifting the battery compartment or the annular lifting platform, which simplifies the mechanical structure of the automatic battery replacement device.

Abstract: A hybrid propulsion system for an electric aircraft, the system including an electric aircraft including a fuselage. The fuselage including an energy source containing electric power. The electric aircraft further including at least a laterally extending element attached to the fuselage and extending laterally from the fuselage. The electric aircraft further including at least a propulsor electrically connected to the energy source. The system also including at least a power unit pod attached to the at least a laterally extending element and including an auxiliary power unit configured to generate electric power. The power unit pod also including a fuel tank in fluid communication with the auxiliary power unit and a power output line electrically connected to the energy source of the electric aircraft.

Abstract: A system enabling safe manned and unmanned operations at extremely high altitudes (above 70,000 feet). The system utilizes a balloon launch system and parachute and/or parafoil recovery.

Abstract: An aircraft is disclosed having a device and an aircraft wing. The aircraft wing includes a main wing element and a movable wing tip device attached to a tip end of the main wing element. The movable wing tip device includes an accumulator configured to store energy and the movable wing tip device can move relative to the main wing element to vary a span of the aircraft wing. The accumulator is configured to transmit power to the device. The accumulator enables energy to trickle between the main wing element and the movable wing tip device whilst still providing a suitable power source to the device. Additional embodiments include a method of maintenance, and a method of operating the aircraft wing to store energy in the movable wing tip device.

Abstract: A system (100) and method (300) for launching multiple satellites from a launch vehicle is provided. The system includes a mechanical structure (102) which has one or more mounting means (104A-F), a control unit (106) for controlling the one or more mounting means for positioning and separating the multiple satellites in the mechanical structure, an image capturing system for monitoring the positioning of each satellite in the mechanical structure. The mounting means are adapted to position the satellites in axial, inclined and radial separations at a distance to ensure that each satellite will not come in contact with each other in short duration as well as long duration of orbit evolution.

Abstract: The illustrative examples provide a slat movement system for use in an aircraft. An aircraft comprises a wing having a fixed edge and a wing front spar, and a moveable slat connected to the wing by a four bar linkage and a slat arm, the slat arm movable along a track comprising a slot terminating prior to the wing front spar.

Abstract: A system architecture for operation of aircraft flaps. The system architecture includes a first pair of motor drive units, the first pair comprising a first motor drive unit (MD1) and a second motor drive unit (MD3), and a second pair of motor drive units, the second pair comprising a third motor drive unit (MD2) and a fourth motor drive unit (MD4). The system further includes a first plurality of switches connected between the first motor drive unit (MD1) and the second motor drive unit (MD3), the first plurality of switches configured to operate a first electric motor and a second electric motor, and a second plurality of switches connected between the third motor drive unit (MD2) and the fourth motor drive unit (MD4), the second plurality of switches configured to operate a third electric motor and a fourth electric motor.

Abstract: A base station is disclosed for use with an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). The base station includes: an enclosure; a cradle that is configured to charge a power source of the UAV during docking with the base station; and a temperature control system that is connected to the cradle and which is configured to vary temperature of the power source of the UAV. The temperature control system includes: a thermoelectric conditioner (TEC); a first air circuit that is thermally connected to the TEC and which is configured to regulate temperature of the TEC; and a second air circuit that is thermally connected to the TEC such that the TEC is located between the first air circuit and the second air circuit. The second air circuit is configured to direct air across the cradle to thereby heat or cool the power source of the UAV when docked with the base station.

Abstract: The invention relates to an aircraft seat assembly (14a; 14b; 14c; 14d) comprising at least one aircraft seat device (46a; 46b; 46c; 46d) and at least one additional aircraft seat device (48a; 48b; 48c; 48d) which are arranged at least partly next to one another in at least one common column of seats (36a; 36b; 36c; 36d) and each of which can be adjusted between a sitting position and a lying position. According to the invention, the lying direction (64a; 64b; 64c; 64d) of the at least one aircraft seat device (46a; 46b; 46c; 46d) is oriented in the opposite direction to another lying direction (96a; 96b; 96c; 96d) of the at least one other aircraft seat device (48a; 48b; 48c; 48d).