Abstract: Landing gear, aspects of which are usable by an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), comprises a first leg with a first leg landing end and a first leg connection end, and a second leg with a second leg landing end and a second leg connection end. The first leg connection end is directly coupled to the second leg connection end at an engagement location. A tensioning member applies a rotational force about the engagement location, biasing the first leg landing end in the direction of the second leg landing end. The first leg and the second leg are configured to rotate against the rotational force when a downward force is applied to the engagement location.

Abstract: An intelligent container system is provided that accommodates a variety of sizes and shapes of parcels, and that allows the parcels to be dispensed from the container one at a time, in any order. The container system has an open face, such as the bottom. A first panel cooperates with a second panel to selectively close the open bottom, and to selectively open the bottom below a desired parcel, allowing the parcel to be individually dispensed when desired. The container system has a plurality of dividers that can be moved along the length of the container to create a series of compartments that match the sizes of the parcels within the compartments. A position sensing system is used to determine the location of the dividers, and thus the location of the compartments.

Abstract: A landing system suitable for receiving an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) comprises an autonomous ground vehicle (AGV). A landing surface is disposed on the AGV, and the landing system comprises a loading channel suitable for passing an object delivered by the UAV through a first loading channel opening in the landing surface. The object passes within the loading channel through to a second loading channel opening at a bottom aspect of the AGV. In this way, a UAV can land on the landing surface, and the AGV positions the object in line with a target delivery location, where the object is delivered. Aspects of the landing system comprise an electromagnet or vacuum chamber for securing the UAV to the landing surface, thereby enhancing stability of the UAV during movement of the landing system.

Abstract: A landing gear system that can be used with unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) retrieves and releases canisters suitable for delivering items. To do so, the landing gear comprises a first leg and a second leg. The first landing leg and the second landing leg are rotationally engages at a first leg connection end and a second leg connection end. A tensioning member applies a rotational force about the engagement location, biasing the first leg toward the second leg. Each of the first and second legs can include a curved portion. A UAV comprising the landing gear can be lowered over a canister, and the canister is secured in place within the curved portions of the legs. To release, the landing legs are rotated against the bias, which can be facilitated by landing the UAV and placing the rotors into a reverse thrust.

Abstract: In general, various embodiments of the present disclosure provide systems, methods, apparatuses, technologies, and/or the like for loading, storing, and/or dispensing objects in an automated and/or semi-automated fashion. For example, various embodiments provide a storage system comprising: a frame comprising a shelf; a plurality of doors attached to the frame along a dispensing side, wherein each door can be opened and closed independently through operation of a corresponding release mechanism; a plurality of dividers adjustable to different positions along a length of the shelf to thereby define storage compartments that vary in size along the length of the shelf for storing objects of different sizes; and a controller that, for each storage compartment, is configured to cause operation of the corresponding release mechanism for a series of the plurality of doors corresponding to a dimension of the storage compartment in unison to release an object stored in the storage compartment.

Abstract: A landing system suitable for receiving an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) comprises an autonomous ground vehicle (AGV). A landing surface is disposed on the AGV, and the landing system comprises a loading channel suitable for passing an object delivered by the UAV through a first loading channel opening in the landing surface. The object passes within the loading channel through to a second loading channel opening at a bottom aspect of the AGV. In this way, a UAV can land on the landing surface, and the AGV positions the object in line with a target delivery location, where the object is delivered. Aspects of the landing system comprise an electromagnet or vacuum chamber for securing the UAV to the landing surface, thereby enhancing stability of the UAV during movement of the landing system.

Abstract: A pneumatic delivery system is used to facilitate delivery of canisters comprising delivery payloads by unmanned systems, such as unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). The pneumatic delivery system comprises a tube having a channel within a tube wall, where a canister is configured to move through the tube. The tube comprises a tube opening and a transfer mechanism proximate the tube opening. The transfer mechanism engages a canister having a payload that is moved within the tube. The transfer mechanism moves the canister through the tube opening by extending from a first transfer position to a second transfer position. At the second transfer position, the transfer mechanism orients the tube and releases it to a UAV for delivery.

Abstract: A canister is coupled to a delivery vehicle using a rail bracket. The canister comprises a securing channel having a first securing channel volume and a second securing channel volume. A width of the first securing channel volume is less than a width of the second securing channel volume. The rail bracket comprises a rotational shaft having a finger at one end. The rail bracket is inserted into the securing channel, and the rotational shaft is rotated. When rotated, the finger inhibits removal of the rail bracket from the securing channel, thereby providing a mechanism by which the canister can be releasably coupled to the rail bracket. The rail bracket may be provided on a delivery vehicle, such as an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) to transport the canister and contents within it.

Abstract: A pneumatic delivery system is used to facilitate delivery of canisters comprising delivery payloads by unmanned systems, such as unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). The pneumatic delivery system comprises a tube having a channel within a tube wall, where a canister is configured to move through the tube. The tube comprises a tube opening and a transfer mechanism proximate the tube opening. The transfer mechanism engages a canister having a payload that is moved within the tube. The transfer mechanism moves the canister through the tube opening by extending from a first transfer position to a second transfer position. At the second transfer position, the transfer mechanism orients the tube and releases it to a UAV for delivery.

Abstract: A canister is coupled to a delivery vehicle using a rail bracket. The canister comprises a securing channel having a first securing channel volume and a second securing channel volume. A width of the first securing channel volume is less than a width of the second securing channel volume. The rail bracket comprises a rotational shaft having a finger at one end. The rail bracket is inserted into the securing channel, and the rotational shaft is rotated. When rotated, the finger inhibits removal of the rail bracket from the securing channel, thereby providing a mechanism by which the canister can be releasably coupled to the rail bracket. The rail bracket may be provided on a delivery vehicle, such as an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) to transport the canister and contents within it.

Abstract: Various embodiments described herein provide apparatuses, systems, methods, technologies, and/or the like for loading, re-orienting, and/or transferring objects in an automated or semi-automated fashion. Accordingly, various embodiments enable such automated and/or semi-automated loading, re-orienting, and/or transferring of objects in different environments such as mobile environments, stationary environments, and/or the like. Various embodiments involve a supply apparatus that is used to load objects onto a re-orienting apparatus. Additionally, or alternatively, various embodiments involve a re-orienting apparatus that is used to rotate objects from an initial orientation to a desired orientation. Additionally, or alternatively, various embodiments involve a pushing mechanism that is used to transfer objects from a re-orienting apparatus to a downstream apparatus.

Abstract: The technology disclosed herein relates to a rooftop platform to facilitate a delivery of a parcel by an aerial vehicle. The rooftop platform may comprise an elevator apparatus at least partially accessible via the rooftop platform. The rooftop platform may also comprise a rotatable turntable mounted to the rooftop platform. The rotatable turntable can be rotated to position the parcel on the elevator apparatus. The rotatable turntable may have tracks for receiving track wheels of a parcel containment unit. In some embodiments, the parcel may be positioned on the elevator apparatus at a top surface of a lift cabin of the elevator apparatus. The rooftop platform may also comprise a landing area for the aerial vehicle to deliver or receive the parcel containment unit via the rotatable turntable.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure involve providing radiative cooling through various configurations of a heat-dissipating system on which a radiative cooling material may be applied. Particular embodiments involve the use of heat-dissipating panels interlocked to form a heat-dissipating system. Particular embodiments involve the use of a heat transfer element with a heat-dissipating system. Particular embodiments involve the use of a heat-dissipating system to dissipate heat away from an interior space of an object (e.g., vehicle, facility) via a sheet that is applied to or integrated with a top surface (e.g., roofing) of the object. Particular embodiments involve the use of heat-dissipating panels in forming a heat-dissipating system that include front openings allowing airflow to pass through the panels to assist in dissipating heat away from the object.

Abstract: In general, various embodiments of the present disclosure provide systems, methods, apparatus, and technologies, and/or the like for generating predicted states of apparatus, equipment, items, and/or the like based at least in part on associated tag-reader modulations such as, for example, a presence of an RFID tag, an absence of an RFID tag, a combination of the two, and/or a metric of one or more reads of an RFID tag.

Abstract: A controlled environment system for the additive manufacture of metal objects using magnetohydrodynamic jetting. A sealing plate is placed against an Péclet gap seal of a volume enclosure. A flow of inert gas is used to maintain a high-purity volume in the interior of the volume enclosure. A print head accesses the interior and delivers build material through a hole in the sealing plate. A build plate is movable relative to the sealing plate within the interior of the volume enclosure on which objects can be fabricated.

Abstract: A thermally controlled payload container for carrying payloads by an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) comprising an inner wall and an outer wall. The inner wall forms a chamber having an open end and a closed end. The payload container also comprises a thermal control body adjacent to the inner wall and disposed between the inner wall and the outer wall. The payload container also comprises a thermoelectric cooler (TEC) extending through the outer wall from a first side of the TEC to a second side of the TEC, the first side adjacent the thermal control body and the second side coupled to an external heat sink.

Abstract: A landing system suitable for receiving an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) comprises an autonomous ground vehicle (AGV). A landing surface is disposed on the AGV, and the landing system comprises a loading channel suitable for passing an object delivered by the UAV through a first loading channel opening in the landing surface. The object passes within the loading channel through to a second loading channel opening at a bottom aspect of the AGV. In this way, a UAV can land on the landing surface, and the AGV positions the object in line with a target delivery location, where the object is delivered. Aspects of the landing system comprise an electromagnet or vacuum chamber for securing the UAV to the landing surface, thereby enhancing stability of the UAV during movement of the landing system.

Abstract: A canister is coupled to a delivery vehicle using a rail bracket. The canister comprises a securing channel having a first securing channel volume and a second securing channel volume. A width of the first securing channel volume is less than a width of the second securing channel volume. The rail bracket comprises a rotational shaft having a finger at one end. The rail bracket is inserted into the securing channel, and the rotational shaft is rotated. When rotated, the finger inhibits removal of the rail bracket from the securing channel, thereby providing a mechanism by which the canister can be releasably coupled to the rail bracket. The rail bracket may be provided on a delivery vehicle, such as an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) to transport the canister and contents within it.

Abstract: A case for carrying loads by an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) comprises a first end comprising a first cap and a first opening and a second end comprising a second cap and a second opening, the second opening being smaller than the first opening. The case also comprises a rechargeable battery pack that, when the case is secured to the UAV, is configured to provide a power source for the UAV and the first cap and the second cap each comprising at least one metal connector for providing power to the UAV.

Abstract: A pneumatic delivery system is used to facilitate delivery of canisters comprising delivery payloads by unmanned systems, such as unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). The pneumatic delivery system comprises a tube having a channel within a tube wall, where a canister is configured to move through the tube. The tube comprises a tube opening and a transfer mechanism proximate the tube opening. The transfer mechanism engages a canister having a payload that is moved within the tube. The transfer mechanism moves the canister through the tube opening by extending from a first transfer position to a second transfer position. At the second transfer position, the transfer mechanism orients the tube and releases it to a UAV for delivery.