Abstract: A poultry behavioral development system includes a left end plate and right end plate; a top beam, attachable to upper ends of the left end plate and right end plate; a plurality of connection assemblies, which each include a connection beam that detachably attaches between the left end plate and right end plate; such that preadolescent poultry perch and jump between the top beam and the plurality of connection beams.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, systems and a vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) vehicle are provided. The VTOL vehicle includes: a fuselage having longitudinally a front section, a central section and a rear section; a first lifting surface comprising two wings respectively secured to opposite sides of the rear section of the fuselage; a second lifting surface comprising two wings respectively secured to opposite sides of the front section of the fuselage; where each wing comprises at least one engine module, each of the engine modules being pivotally coupled to the wing and each engine module being independently controlled for transitioning between a vertical mode of flight and a horizontal mode of flight.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of air vehicle technologies and provides an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), including a vehicle body and arms connected to the vehicle body. The arm is hinged to the vehicle body by using a spherical hinge portion and may be folded or unfolded relative to the vehicle body. Through the forgoing manner, the arm is connected to the vehicle body of the UAV by using the spherical hinge. The arm can be folded and unfolded smoothly without interference, which conforms to known operation habits of users, so that after the entire UAV is folded, the structure becomes more compact and easier to carry. In addition, it can be effectively avoided that the UAV is damaged due to impact in the carrying process.

Abstract: A flower water receiver includes a main body formed in a cylindrical shape with an open top to store water, a self-watering module installed on a central portion of a bottom of the main body to form water by condensing moisture in the air, a support formed on a part of the main body in the vicinity of a circumference of the self-watering module to support a circumference of a lower portion of a flower pot placed in an upper portion of the main body, and a wick support member, when the flower pot is placed in the upper portion of the main body, supporting a wick configured to absorb water in the lower portion of the main body and transfer the water to the inside of the flower pot, to be inserted into an inside of a drain hole of the lower portion of the flower pot.

Abstract: An animal feeding device is provided including at least one cassette including a frame including wall elements defining upper and lower compartments, side wall elements defining a width of the upper compartment, a food container housed in the upper compartment, supported by at least one wall element, and a food delivery device housed in the lower compartment. The food container communicates with the food delivery device through an opening provided in a bottom portion of the food container. The food container has front, end, and side walls. The side walls are parallel in a longitudinal direction, have a constant distance therebetween in the longitudinal direction, are opposite to each other, are connected to and separated by the front wall in one end, and are connected to and separated by the end wall in an opposite end. The end wall has an inclination towards the bottom portion of the food container.

Abstract: An aerial vehicle and a method of taking a measurement using a sensor mounted on an aerial vehicle. The aerial vehicle has one or more propellers and one car more motors which are selectively operable to drive the one or more propellers to rotate to cause the vehicle to fly. A sensor is mounted on the aerial vehicle. The method includes operating the one or more motors to drive the one or more propellers to cause the vehicle to fly. At a first time instant, the one or more motors are slowed down or turned off. When the one or more motors are slowed down or turned off, a measurement is taken using the sensor; at a second time instant, which is after the measurement has been taken using sensor, operating the one or more motors again to drive the one or more propellers to cause the vehicle to fly.

Abstract: An aircraft of a modular type including: at least one rotor suitable for providing in full or in part propulsion and/or lift for the aircraft; at least one power plant of the combustion engine type or of the electric motor type; a main gearbox, for mechanically transmitting drive torque generated by the at least one power plant to the at least one rotor; and an avionics system for assisting in piloting the aircraft. In accordance with the invention, the avionics system is configured for automatically providing the assistance in piloting the aircraft when the aircraft has a first power plant only or when the aircraft has a first power plant and a second power plant.

Abstract: A system and method of controlling a fuel system on an aircraft includes selectively supplying fuel from either a main fuel tank or at least one wing fuel tank to a fuel consumer by varying a speed of at least one main fuel tank pump associated with the main fuel tank relative to a speed of at least one wing fuel tank pump associated with the at least one wing fuel tank.

Abstract: An integrated protective fishing case for storing and protecting fishing rod, reel, line and pretied lure. The protective fishing case includes a handle section and a rod sleeve section thereby forming a protective case with an outwardly protruding belly section. The case includes the features: The handle section cover with an outwardly protruding section having an internal cavity for covering and protecting a fishing reel; the internal cavity includes a protective double padded section, internal protective right hand and left hand pockets for storing pretied lures; perforated material allowing ventilation and moisture to escape, thereby protecting the fishing tackle stored in the case from rust; to custom fit fishing rod blanks of varying lengths, the rod tip section length is adjustable.

Abstract: An aerial vehicle may include a first wing structure. The aerial vehicle may further include a first propeller and a second propeller disposed along the first wing structure. The aerial vehicle may further include a second wing structure disposed to intersect the first wing structure to form a cross configuration. The aerial vehicle may further include a third propeller and a fourth propeller disposed along the second wing structure. In a hovering orientation of the aerial vehicle, respective propeller rotational axes of the first and second propellers may be angled off-vertical in respective planes which may be perpendicular to a transverse axis of the first wing structure, and respective propeller rotational axes of the third and fourth propellers may be angled off-vertical in respective planes which may be perpendicular to a transverse axis of the second wing structure.

Abstract: A propeller driving unit for an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). The propeller driving unit comprises a motor unit comprising a first motor module and a second motor module, with the first motor module being adapted to independently drive a first propeller or a first set of propellers, the second motor module being adapted to independently drive a second propeller or a second set of propellers; wherein the first and second motor modules are coaxially arranged within the motor unit. The invention also relates to an unmanned aerial vehicle comprising the described propeller driving unit.

Abstract: A flapping-wing aircraft includes a support frame, a motor coupled to the support frame, a pair of wings coupled to the support frame, and a linkage assembly coupled to the support frame and configured to translate an output torque of the motor into flapping motion of the wings, wherein the linkage assembly includes a first link coupled to a rotational output of the motor, a second link pivotably coupled to the first link at a first pivot joint, a third link pivotably coupled to the second link at a second pivot joint, and a fourth link pivotably coupled to the support frame and slidably coupled to the third link, and wherein the fourth link is coupled to a first wing of the pair of wings.

Abstract: A drone comprises at least one propeller for generating lift and an article containment area for containing an article to be carried by the drone. The floor of the article containment area comprises a dynamic support surface for supporting the article and allowing the article to move into, out of and through the article containment area. The dynamic support surface may be a conveyor belt forming the floor of the article containment area.

Abstract: An animal trap stabilizing system includes a body trap having a pair of jaws, a trigger engaging the jaws, and a torsion spring being attached to the jaws. The torsion spring is engaged with a plate. The plate has a top side, a bottom side, a first edge, a second edge, a third edge, and a fourth edge. The torsion spring includes a plurality of loops. The loops are attached to the plate such that arms of the torsion spring extend away from the fourth edge. The third edge is positioned on a ground surface such that an animal receiving orifice of the body trap is vertically orientated.

Abstract: A rodent trap comprising: a cage having an entrance configured to allow a rodent to enter the cage; a control circuit board; discharge plates on an inner surface of the cage and spaced apart from each other, wherein the control circuit board is configured to establish a voltage between the discharge plates; a first infrared sensor comprising a first infrared emitter and a first infrared receiver, wherein the rodent prevents an infrared light beam emitted by the first infrared emitter from reaching the first infrared receiver when the rodent steps on adjacent pair of the discharge plates; and a second infrared sensor comprising a second infrared emitter and a second infrared receiver placed apart from the first infrared sensor. The invention also relates a method of using a rodent trap having a first discharge plate and a second discharge plate.

Abstract: On an aircraft, a multi-mode power generator is operated in a variable voltage mode to power an electric Wng Ice Prevention System (eWIPS), and is operated in a fixed voltage mode to provide backup power. When atmospheric conditions are conducive to the formation of ice (and main generators are operative), the multi-mode power generator is operated in variable voltage mode to power the eWIPS with a first or second variable voltage. The first variable voltage, the value of which depends on atmospheric conditions, is for anti-ice operation. The second variable voltage, which can be the maximum output voltage, is for de-ice operation. Transitions between different variable voltage levels are not instantaneous which eliminates fatigue damage due to transients. If a main generator fails (or when atmospheric conditions are not conducive to the formation of ice), the multi-mode power generator is operated in fixed voltage mode to provide backup power.

Abstract: A trailer apparatus is provided having two half forms connected to a frame joint, the half forms mounted on a first and second pivot bar on the joint frame to pivot to open and to pivot to close in a clam shell arrangement. The trailer apparatus may assume a form of backpack or luggage piece adapted to store items and may assume the form of a towable trailer, having a tow bar, wheels, and a three-dimensional covering over the open sides of the half forms to enclose cargo space or to keep a pet inside the footprint of the half form adapted as trailer bed when the trailer apparatus is extended for use.

Abstract: A galley monument for an aircraft has a shelf structure, a pull-out member supported on the shelf structure so as to be able to be moved between an insertion position and a deployment position and has a carrier plate, and a display device supported on the pull-out member and having a display. A first surface of the carrier plate in the deployment position of the pull-out member is located in a deployment plane and protrudes with respect to the shelf structure and is located in the insertion position at least partially inside the shelf structure. The display device in the deployment position of the pull-out member can be pivoted about a centre of rotation between a storage position, in which the display device extends parallel with the deployment plane, and a position for use, in which the display device extends transversely relative to the deployment plane.

Abstract: Described herein is a method of constructing a landing pad using a rocket engine while in-flight. Among other benefits, this method can reduce ejecta that otherwise would occur during landing on an unimproved surface. While a spacecraft is hovering over an unimproved surface, the spacecraft can inject particles into its rocket engine, after which the particles absorb heat from the engine and are projected at ballistic speeds toward the unimproved surface to create a landing pad. After constructing the landing pad and waiting for the landing pad to cool, the spacecraft can land on the landing pad. Also described herein are landing pads created from such particles as they impact the surface in a disc splat mode into the unimproved surface.

Abstract: An aerodynamic laminar flow structure comprises a flow body and a leading edge designed to face a flow circulating in a flow direction, the leading edge being movable and comprising a retracted position in which the edge of each of two flow surfaces of the flow body is joined respectively to an edge of each of two flow surfaces of the leading edge along a parting line having at least one portion inclined at an angle strictly less than 90° relative to the flow direction. The inclination of at least one portion of the parting line makes it possible to reduce drag and thus to retain a laminar flow over a major part of the exterior surfaces of the aerodynamic structure.