Abstract: An example UAV landing structure includes a landing platform for a UAV, a cavity within the landing platform, and a track that runs along the landing platform and at least a part of the cavity. The UAV may include a winch system that includes a tether that may be coupled to a payload. Furthermore, the cavity may be aligned over a predetermined target location. The cavity may be sized to allow the winch system to pass a tethered payload through the cavity. The track may guide the UAV to a docked position over the cavity as the UAV moves along the landing platform. When the UAV is in the docked position, a payload may be loaded to or unloaded from the UAV through the cavity.

Abstract: An example method of manufacturing a wing includes providing a wing frame. The wing frame includes a primary spar, a drag spar, a plurality of transverse frame elements having at least one spar joiner, and a plurality of mounting elements. The primary spar is coupled to the drag spar via the at least one spar joiner. The method further includes placing the wing frame into a mold, wherein the mold defines a shape of the wing. The method also includes injecting the mold with an air-filled matrix material, such that the air-filled matrix material substantially encases the wing frame and fills the defined shape of the wing, and such that the plurality of transverse frame elements provide torsional rigidity to the wing.

Abstract: A firebox for a grill is provided. The firebox has a shell, an insulation layer, and a firebrick layer. The firebrick layer comprising a plurality of firebricks that form an inner peripheral surface of the firebox. The insulation layer formed between the firebrick layer and the shell or the insulation layer forming the outermost layer of the firebox. The shell preventing the collapse and/or unwanted airflow into the internal cavity of the firebox if a fracture is formed in the firebrick layer.

Abstract: An example UAV landing structure includes a landing platform for a UAV, a cavity within the landing platform, and a track that runs along the landing platform and at least a part of the cavity. The UAV may include a winch system that includes a tether that may be coupled to a payload. Furthermore, the cavity may be aligned over a predetermined target location. The cavity may be sized to allow the winch system to pass a tethered payload through the cavity. The track may guide the UAV to a docked position over the cavity as the UAV moves along the landing platform. When the UAV is in the docked position, a payload may be loaded to or unloaded from the UAV through the cavity.

Abstract: An example UAV landing structure includes a landing platform for a UAV, a cavity within the landing platform, and a track that runs along the landing platform and at least a part of the cavity. The UAV may include a winch system that includes a tether that may be coupled to a payload. Furthermore, the cavity may be aligned over a predetermined target location. The cavity may be sized to allow the winch system to pass a tethered payload through the cavity. The track may guide the UAV to a docked position over the cavity as the UAV moves along the landing platform. When the UAV is in the docked position, a payload may be loaded to or unloaded from the UAV through the cavity.

Abstract: Systems for wing structure and attachment to frame for Unmanned Autonomous Vehicle (UAV) are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a UAV includes an H-frame having a wing spar secured to two or more boom carriers. The wing spar includes two or more mounting locations, where each of the two or more mounting locations of the wing spar secures a horizontal propulsion unit. The boom carriers include a plurality of mounting locations, each of the plurality of mounting locations of the boom carriers securing a vertical propulsion unit. The UAV also includes a pre-formed wing shell attached to the H-frame.

Abstract: A modular fuselage for an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) includes a battery module, an avionics module, and a mission payload module. The battery module houses a battery to power the UAV. The avionics module houses flight control circuitry of the UAV. The mission payload module houses equipment associated with a mission of the UAV. The battery module, the avionics module, and the mission payload module are detachable from each other and mechanically securable to each other to contiguously form at least a portion of the modular fuselage of the UAV.

Abstract: An example method of manufacturing a wing includes providing a wing frame. The wing frame includes a primary spar, a drag spar, a plurality of transverse frame elements having at least one spar joiner, and a plurality of mounting elements. The primary spar is coupled to the drag spar via the at least one spar joiner. The method further includes placing the wing frame into a mold, wherein the mold defines a shape of the wing. The method also includes injecting the mold with an air-filled matrix material, such that the air-filled matrix material substantially encases the wing frame and fills the defined shape of the wing, and such that the plurality of transverse frame elements provide torsional rigidity to the wing.

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 example embodiment includes a landing pad having a housing and a power terminal configured to draw electric power from a power source. The landing pad further includes an electrically conductive landing terminal dorsal to the housing and configured such that, during a landing state of an aerial vehicle, the landing terminal makes contact with a plurality of electric contacts disposed ventrally to a fuselage of the aerial vehicle. The landing terminal is configured to transfer electric power drawn by the power terminal to the aerial vehicle via the electric contacts during the landing state of the aerial vehicle.

Abstract: A propulsion unit includes a motor rotor that spins about a central rotational axis, propeller blades each having a proximal base and a distal tip, and pivot mounts each coupling the proximal base of a corresponding one of the propeller blades to the motor rotor. The propeller blades each freely pivot at the proximal base about a corresponding offset pivoting axis that is substantially parallel to but offset from the central rotational axis of the motor rotor.

Abstract: A propulsion unit includes a motor rotor, a clip-in base mount, a clip-in rotor cap, propeller mounts, and propeller blades. The motor rotor spins about a central rotational axis. The clip-in base mount is disposed on the motor rotor. The clip-in rotor cap is shaped to mate with and detachably clip into the clip-in base mount. The propeller mounts are attached to the clip-in rotor cap. The propeller blades each have a proximal base and a distal tip. The proximal base of each propeller blade mounts to a corresponding one of the propeller mounts.

Abstract: A firebox for a grill is provided. The firebox has a shell, an insulation layer, and a firebrick layer. The firebrick layer comprising a plurality of firebricks that form an inner peripheral surface of the firebox. The insulation layer formed between the firebrick layer and the shell or the insulation layer forming the outermost layer of the firebox. The shell preventing the collapse and/or unwanted airflow into the internal cavity of the firebox if a fracture is formed in the firebrick layer.

Abstract: Systems and methods for assembling Unmanned Autonomous Vehicle (UAV) are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a method for assembling a UAV includes connecting a wing spar with boom carriers to form an H-frame. The wing spar provides mounting locations for securing horizontal propulsion units, and the boom carriers provide mounting locations for securing vertical propulsion units. The method also includes attaching a fuselage body to the wing spar; attaching a pre-formed wing shell to the H-frame; and attaching pre-formed individual boom shells to their corresponding boom carriers. The H-frame provides structural frame for mounting the wing shell and the boom shells.

Abstract: An example UAV landing structure includes a landing platform for a UAV, a cavity within the landing platform, and a track that runs along the landing platform and at least a part of the cavity. The UAV may include a winch system that includes a tether that may be coupled to a payload. Furthermore, the cavity may be aligned over a predetermined target location. The cavity may be sized to allow the winch system to pass a tethered payload through the cavity. The track may guide the UAV to a docked position over the cavity as the UAV moves along the landing platform. When the UAV is in the docked position, a payload may be loaded to or unloaded from the UAV through the cavity.

Abstract: An energy dispersion plug for use in an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) includes a blunt head section, a wedge section, and a rim section. The blunt head section has an outer side for receiving an impact force and an inner side opposite the outer side. The wedge section has a base end and a distal end opposite the base end. The wedge section extends at the base end from the inner side of the blunt head section towards the distal end and the distal end has a smaller cross-sectional area than the base end. The wedge section is shaped and sized to fit into an open end of a hollow structural member of the UAV and to transfer impact energy incident upon the blunt head section into the hollow structural member to shatter the hollow structural member into fragments.

Abstract: An example UAV landing structure includes a landing platform for a UAV, a cavity within the landing platform, and a track that runs along the landing platform and at least a part of the cavity. The UAV may include a winch system that includes a tether that may be coupled to a payload. Furthermore, the cavity may be aligned over a predetermined target location. The cavity may be sized to allow the winch system to pass a tethered payload through the cavity. The track may guide the UAV to a docked position over the cavity as the UAV moves along the landing platform. When the UAV is in the docked position, a payload may be loaded to or unloaded from the UAV through the cavity.

Abstract: A propulsion unit includes a motor rotor that spins about a central rotational axis, propeller blades each having a proximal base and a distal tip, and pivot mounts each coupling the proximal base of a corresponding one of the propeller blades to the motor rotor. The propeller blades each freely pivot at the proximal base about a corresponding offset pivoting axis that is substantially parallel to but offset from the central rotational axis of the motor rotor.

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.