Abstract: Various techniques are provided for a winged drone platform. In one example, a drone can be provided. The drone can include a drone body, a plurality of wings, a plurality of tiling propeller assemblies, and a drone controller. The wings can be coupled to the drone body and configured to generate lift when the drone travels in a first travel direction. The tilting propeller assemblies can each be supported by one of the wings, can include a propeller and a propeller powerplant connected to the propeller, and can be configured to move between at least a first position and a second position. The drone controller can provide instructions to the tilting propeller assemblies to move between at least the first position and the second position. Additional systems and related methods are also provided.

Abstract: A system and a method of authentication to improve security communication between machines are disclosed. The system includes a retrieving unit (120) that identifies a critical component (102) of an apparatus (110) in response to an authentication request for the apparatus (110) and retrieves authentication information for the critical component (102) comprising expected physical and digital signatures for the critical component (102) and one or more associated additional components (104). An acquiring unit (160) that acquires present signatures for the components (102, 104). A checking unit (180) that checks validity of each present signature with the corresponding expected signature, in order to authenticate the apparatus (110). The authentication process is enhanced by strategically extending the biometric concept, that is, measurement and analysis of unique physical or behavioral characteristics for verifying identity purposes, to interactions between machines.

Abstract: An unmanned aerial vehicle adapted for hover and short/vertical take-off and landing (S/VTOL) is disclosed. The vehicle comprises: a body having an aspect-ratio less than two and having therein a payload volume, at least one propeller located forward of the body, at least one rudder. The body may have an inverse Zimmerman planform which provides lift as air flows across the body in horizontal flight/fixed wing mode, and further adapted such that during hover and/or short/vertical take-off and landing (S/VTOL) the vehicle operates as a rotorcraft with the body oriented with the at least one propeller substantially above the body. The vehicle is suited to a method of inspection, such as power line inspection where large distances can be analysed efficiently by flying in fixed wing mode, but by transitioning to hover mode allows detailed inspection of selected areas.

Abstract: Various techniques are provided for a winged drone platform. In one example, a drone can be provided. The drone can include a drone body, a plurality of wings, a plurality of tiling propeller assemblies, and a drone controller. The wings can be coupled to the drone body and configured to generate lift when the drone travels in a first travel direction. The tilting propeller assemblies can each be supported by one of the wings, can include a propeller and a propeller powerplant connected to the propeller, and can be configured to move between at least a first position and a second position. The drone controller can provide instructions to the tilting propeller assemblies to move between at least the first position and the second position. Additional systems and related methods are also provided.

Abstract: A system and a method of authentication to improve security communication between machines are disclosed. The system includes a retrieving unit (120) that identifies a critical component (102) of an apparatus (110) in response to an authentication request for the apparatus (110) and retrieves authentication information for the critical component (102) comprising expected physical and digital signatures for the critical component (102) and one or more associated additional components (104). An acquiring unit (160) that acquires present signatures for the components (102,104). A checking unit (180) that checks validity of each present signature with the corresponding expected signature, in order to authenticate the apparatus (110). The authentication process is enhanced by strategically extending the biometric concept, that is, measurement and analysis of unique physical or behavioral characteristics for verifying identity purposes, to interactions between machines.

Abstract: An apparatus, operations controller and methods for controlling unmanned aerial vehicles for detection, prevention and suppression of fires in a designated zone are presented. Monitored information is received and analyzed to detect a presence of a fire event or a fire risk in the designated zone. A cargo unmanned aerial vehicle is directed to a vicinity of the fire event or the fire risk and instructed to deploy a fire retardant or a fire suppressant at a location of the fire event or the fire risk, if the presence of the fire event or the fire risk is detected.

Abstract: System and method including a plurality of surface vehicles and a plurality of events to be performed by each of the surface vehicles. Each of the vehicles is equipped with an electronic control unit including a receiver and a decoder for the instructions received from a vehicle movement optimizer. The plurality of events include instructions of movements from an origin to a destination, and actions for each of the surface vehicles. The decoder decodes instructions received from the surface vehicle movement optimizer. The optimizer configures an optimized schedule of the preliminary plan by modifying the events based on either the vehicle attributes or updates submitted by the electronic control unit from the vehicle to the optimizer.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for launching unmanned air vehicles (UAVs) includes supporting the unmanned air vehicle on a surface vehicle, such as a dolly cart, for riding along a surface such as ground or water. A towline is connected to the surface vehicle and the towline is pulled to force the unmanned air vehicle in a forward direction at a speed sufficient for take-off. The towline may be pulled by a winch system. In some embodiments the UAV is positioned with a nose down angle on the surface vehicle. The nose down angle permits overspeed of the UAV and cart as it is pulled along the ground, as well as controlled take-off.

Abstract: An apparatus for energy recovery of an aircraft, an aircraft comprising the apparatus and a method of energy recovery are disclosed. The apparatus comprises a turbine having a body and rotor blades. The turbine is adapted to be mounted to the exterior of an aircraft, such that the body receives an air stream flowing at the exterior of the aircraft. The rotor blades are selectively movable between a stowed position and a deployed position, wherein at the deployed position the rotor blades are rotated by the air stream so as to generate electricity. The blades may be deployed during descent of the aircraft to recover energy normally irretrievably dissipated as the aircraft descends and slows. The blades are stowed when not in use, such as during take-off and cruise.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for launching unmanned air vehicles (UAVs) includes supporting the unmanned air vehicle on a surface vehicle, such as a dolly cart, for riding along a surface such as ground or water. A towline is connected to the surface vehicle and the towline is pulled to force the unmanned air vehicle in a forward direction at a speed sufficient for take-off. The towline may be pulled by a winch system. In some embodiments the UAV is positioned with a nose down angle on the surface vehicle. The nose down angle permits overspeed of the UAV and cart as it is pulled along the ground, as well as controlled take-off.

Abstract: An apparatus for energy recovery of an aircraft, an aircraft comprising the apparatus and a method of energy recovery are disclosed. The apparatus comprises a turbine having a body and rotor blades. The turbine is adapted to be mounted to the exterior of an aircraft, such that the body receives an air stream flowing at the exterior of the aircraft. The rotor blades are selectively movable between a stowed position and a deployed position, wherein at the deployed position the rotor blades are rotated by the air stream so as to generate electricity. The blades may be deployed during descent of the aircraft to recover energy normally irretrievably dissipated as the aircraft descends and slows. The blades are stowed when not in use, such as during take-off and cruise.

Abstract: System and method including a plurality of surface vehicles and a plurality of events to be performed by each of the surface vehicles. Each of the vehicles is equipped with an electronic control unit including a receiver and a decoder for the instructions received from a vehicle movement optimizer. The plurality of events include instructions of movements from an origin to a destination, and actions for each of the surface vehicles. The decoder decodes instructions received from the surface vehicle movement optimizer. The optimizer configures an optimized schedule of the preliminary plan by modifying the events based on either the vehicle attributes or updates submitted by the electronic control unit from the vehicle to the optimizer.

Abstract: An unmanned aerial vehicle adapted for hover and short/vertical take-off and landing (S/VTOL) is disclosed. The vehicle comprises: a body having an aspect-ratio less than two and having therein a payload volume, at least one propeller located forward of the body, at least one rudder. The body may have an inverse Zimmerman planform which provides lift as air flows across the body in horizontal flight/fixed wing mode, and further adapted such that during hover and/or short/vertical take-off and landing (S/VTOL) the vehicle operates as a rotorcraft with the body oriented with the at least one propeller substantially above the body. The vehicle is suited to a method of inspection, such as power line inspection where large distances can be analysed efficiently by flying in fixed wing mode, but by transitioning to hover mode allows detailed inspection of selected areas.

Abstract: An apparatus, operations controller and methods for controlling unmanned aerial vehicles for detection, prevention and suppression of fires in a designated zone are presented. Monitored information is received and analyzed to detect a presence of a fire event or a fire risk in the designated zone. A cargo unmanned aerial vehicle is directed to a vicinity of the fire event or the fire risk and instructed to deploy a fire retardant or a fire suppressant at a location of the fire event or the fire risk, if the presence of the fire event or the fire risk is detected.