Abstract: A wing system is provided for an air vehicle, the air vehicle having a fuselage including a fuselage longitudinal axis. The wing system includes a set of wings, configured for transitioning between a stowed configuration and a deployed configuration. The set of wings includes a first said wing having a first wing tip, a first wing longitudinal axis, and a first pivot axis; and a second said wing having a second wing tip, a second wing longitudinal axis, and a second pivot axis. The first pivot axis and the second pivot axis are non-coaxial. In the stowed configuration, the first wing and the second wing are in overlying relationship such that at least a majority of a pressure surface of one wing is facing a suction surface of the other wing, and the first wing tip is spaced from the second wing tip by a first lateral spacing.

Abstract: A method of an embodiment includes receiving data from a sensor that is configured to supply data related to an ice layer thickness on a skin surface, calculating the ice layer thickness, comparing the ice layer thickness to a threshold thickness, vibrating the skin surface using at least one mechanical element for a sufficient duration, sufficient frequency, and sufficient displacement to result in removal of a first portion of the ice layer thereby resulting in at least a partially deiced skin surface, and heating the partially deiced skin surface using at least one heating element. The method of an embodiment further includes heating from a leading edge of the skin surface to a trailing edge of the skin surface and heating the surface to result in a sufficient temperature increase in the skin surface for removal of a second portion of the ice layer.

Abstract: A method that includes receiving data from a sensor that is configured to supply data related to an ice layer thickness on a skin surface, calculating the ice layer thickness, comparing the ice layer thickness to a threshold thickness, vibrating the skin surface using at least one mechanical element for a sufficient duration, sufficient frequency, and sufficient displacement to result in removal of a first portion of the ice layer thereby resulting in at least a partially deiced skin surface, and heating the partially deiced skin surface using at least one heating element. The method further includes heating from a leading edge of the skin surface to a trailing edge of the skin surface and heating the surface to result in a sufficient temperature increase in the skin surface for removal of a second portion of the ice layer.

Abstract: A method of an embodiment includes receiving data from a sensor that is configured to supply data related to an ice layer thickness on a skin surface, calculating the ice layer thickness, comparing the ice layer thickness to a threshold thickness, vibrating the skin surface using at least one mechanical element for a sufficient duration, sufficient frequency, and sufficient displacement to result in removal of a first portion of the ice layer thereby resulting in at least a partially deiced skin surface, and heating the partially deiced skin surface using at least one heating element. The method of an embodiment further includes heating from a leading edge of the skin surface to a trailing edge of the skin surface and heating the surface to result in a sufficient temperature increase in the skin surface for removal of a second portion of the ice layer.

Abstract: A method that includes receiving data from a sensor that is configured to supply data related to an ice layer thickness on a skin surface, calculating the ice layer thickness, comparing the ice layer thickness to a threshold thickness, vibrating the skin surface using at least one mechanical element for a sufficient duration, sufficient frequency, and sufficient displacement to result in removal of a first portion of the ice layer thereby resulting in at least a partially deiced skin surface, and heating the partially deiced skin surface using at least one heating element. The method further includes heating from a leading edge of the skin surface to a trailing edge of the skin surface and heating the surface to result in a sufficient temperature increase in the skin surface for removal of a second portion of the ice layer.

Abstract: A method of an embodiment includes receiving data from a sensor that is configured to supply data related to an ice layer thickness on a skin surface, calculating the ice layer thickness, comparing the ice layer thickness to a threshold thickness, vibrating the skin surface using at least one mechanical element for a sufficient duration, sufficient frequency, and sufficient displacement to result in removal of a first portion of the ice layer thereby resulting in at least a partially deiced skin surface, and heating the partially deiced skin surface using at least one heating element. The method of an embodiment further includes heating from a leading edge of the skin surface to a trailing edge of the skin surface and heating the surface to result in a sufficient temperature increase in the skin surface for removal of a second portion of the ice layer.

Abstract: The electric vehicle includes a battery pack that can be exchanged at a battery exchange station. At the battery exchange station, an at least partially spent battery pack is exchanged for an at least partially charged battery pack. A battery bay is configured to be disposed at an underside of the electric vehicle. The battery bay includes a frame which defines a cavity. The cavity is configured to at least partially receive the battery pack therein. The battery bay comprises at least one latch rotatably pivoted about an axis substantially parallel with a plane formed by the underside of the vehicle. The latch is configured to lift, retain the battery pack at least partially within the cavity.

Abstract: The connection system is designed to facilitate electrical and data connections between the battery and the electric vehicle. The connectors are designed with alignment mechanisms to account for initial misalignment of the battery and vehicle while still ensuring positive contact between them. The alignment mechanisms also introduce compliance into the system to ensure that the mechanical components of the system are not placed under unwanted loads or stresses. The connection system houses data connectors carrying communication signals as well as power connectors carrying high voltage electricity. The data connectors are shielded to prevent interference caused by proximity to the high voltage elements. The connection system uses no mechanical latching or locking mechanisms.

Abstract: An anastomosis device (11) for use in coupling two ends of tubular stumps (13). The device comprises two hollow tubular members (21), adapted to be placed over said tubular stumps. The hollow tubular members are further capable of radially expanding from a first inner diameter to a second, larger inner diameter. Each hollow tubular member, while having the first inner diameter, being further adapted to allow everting of the stump proximal end over the tubular member proximal end. The device further comprises an elastic sleeve (31), adapted to be put on said tubular member proximal ends with the everted ends of said stumps, the sleeve further being adaptable to maintain said everted ends in a predetermined distance.

Abstract: At a battery exchange station a discharged battery is removed and a charged battery is inserted into an electric vehicle. The battery exchange station has various mechanisms to make this exchange. In some embodiments, the batteries are stored in a warehouse, where they are given an appropriate amount of charge. The charged batteries are moved from the warehouse by an automated robotic mechanism. The automated robotic system provides the charged battery to a battery exchange system which inserts the charged battery into the vehicle after it removes the discharged battery from the vehicle. The insertion and removal of the battery is done vertically, i.e., into and out of the bottom of the vehicle. The battery exchange system is located in a service bay under the vehicle. A sliding door system creates an opening above the service bay. The opening is of variable size depending on the size of the vehicle.

Abstract: The connection system is designed to facilitate electrical and data connections between the battery and the electric vehicle. The connectors are designed with alignment mechanisms to account for initial misalignment of the battery and vehicle while still ensuring positive contact between them. The alignment mechanisms also introduce compliance into the system to ensure that the mechanical components of the system are not placed under unwanted loads or stresses. The connection system houses data connectors carrying communication signals as well as power connectors carrying high voltage electricity. The data connectors are shielded to prevent interference caused by proximity to the high voltage elements. The connection system uses no mechanical latching or locking mechanisms.

Abstract: At the battery exchange station a discharged battery is removed and a charged battery is inserted into an electric vehicle. The battery is inserted and removed along a vertical axis, i.e., into and out of the bottom of the vehicle. The battery exchange system is located in a service bay under the vehicle. A sliding door system creates an opening above the service bay. A vehicle is received over the sliding door system, such that at least one wheel of the vehicle rests on the conveyor system. The door slides in a first direction while allowing the conveyor system to slide in a direction opposite the first direction. The conveyor system also supports the at least one wheel of the vehicle while the door and conveyor slide in opposite directions. The sliding of the door and the sliding of the conveyor system occur at least partially simultaneously.

Abstract: The electric vehicle includes a battery pack that can be exchanged at a battery exchange station. At the battery exchange station, an at least partially spent battery pack is exchanged for an at least partially charged battery pack. A battery bay is configured to be disposed at an underside of the electric vehicle. The battery bay includes a frame which defines a cavity. The cavity is configured to at least partially receive the battery pack therein. The battery bay comprises at least one latch rotatably pivoted about an axis substantially parallel with a plane formed by the underside of the vehicle. The latch is configured to lift, retain the battery pack at least partially within the cavity.

Abstract: A method for securing and releasing a battery pack from a battery bay of an at least partially electric vehicle is disclosed. The battery bay includes multiple latching units each separately controllable and have a latch configured to couple to the battery pack. The method includes actuating each of the latching units to rotate its respective latch to engage or disengage with the battery pack. The method includes measuring a position of each respective latch of the latching units; and individually controlling each of the latching units based on the position of its respective latch to synchronize the positions of all latches.

Abstract: At the battery exchange station a discharged battery is removed and a charged battery is inserted into an electric vehicle. The battery is inserted and removed along a vertical axis, i.e., into and out of the bottom of the vehicle. The battery exchange system is located in a service bay under the vehicle. A sliding door system creates an opening above the service bay. A vehicle is received over the sliding door system, such that at least one wheel of the vehicle rests on the conveyor system. The door slides in a first direction while allowing the conveyor system to slide in a direction opposite the first direction. The conveyor system also supports the at least one wheel of the vehicle while the door and conveyor slide in opposite directions. The sliding of the door and the sliding of the conveyor system occur at least partially simultaneously.

Abstract: The electric vehicle includes a battery pack that can be exchanged at a battery exchange station. At the battery exchange station, an at least partially spent battery pack is exchanged for an at least partially charged battery pack. A battery bay is configured to be disposed at an underside of the electric vehicle. The battery bay includes a frame which defines a cavity. The cavity is configured to at least partially receive the battery pack therein. The battery bay comprises at least one latch rotatably pivoted about an axis substantially parallel with a plane formed by the underside of the vehicle. The latch is configured to lift, retain the battery pack at least partially within the cavity.

Abstract: The connection system is designed to facilitate electrical and data connections between the battery and the electric vehicle. The connectors are designed with alignment mechanisms to account for initial misalignment of the battery and vehicle while still ensuring positive contact between them. The alignment mechanisms also introduce compliance into the system to ensure that the mechanical components of the system are not placed under unwanted loads or stresses. The connection system houses data connectors carrying communication signals as well as power connectors carrying high voltage electricity. The data connectors are shielded to prevent interference caused by proximity to the high voltage elements. The connection system uses no mechanical latching or locking mechanisms.

Abstract: An anastomosis device (11) for use in coupling two ends of tubular stumps (13). The device comprises two hollow tubular members (21), adapted to be placed over said tubular stumps. The hollow tubular members are further capable of radially expanding from a first inner diameter to a second, larger inner diameter. Each hollow tubular member, while having the first inner diameter, being further adapted to allow everting of the stump proximal end over the tubular member proximal end. The device further comprises an elastic sleeve (31), adapted to be put on said tubular member proximal ends with the everted ends of said stumps, the sleeve further being adaptable to maintain said everted ends in a predetermined distance.

Abstract: At the battery exchange station a discharged battery is removed and a charged battery is inserted into an electric vehicle. The battery is inserted and removed along a vertical axis, i.e., into and out of the bottom of the vehicle. The battery exchange system is located in a service bay under the vehicle. A sliding door system creates an opening above the service bay. A vehicle is received over the sliding door system, such that at least one wheel of the vehicle rests on the conveyor system. The door slides in a first direction while allowing the conveyor system to slide in a direction opposite the first direction. The conveyor system also supports the at least one wheel of the vehicle while the door and conveyor slide in opposite directions. The sliding of the door and the sliding of the conveyor system occur at least partially simultaneously.

Abstract: At a battery exchange station a discharged battery is removed and a charged battery is inserted into an electric vehicle. The battery exchange station has various mechanisms to make this exchange. In some embodiments, the batteries are stored in a warehouse, where they are given an appropriate amount of charge. The charged batteries are moved from the warehouse by an automated robotic mechanism. The automated robotic system provides the charged battery to a battery exchange system which inserts the charged battery into the vehicle after it removes the discharged battery from the vehicle. The insertion and removal of the battery is done vertically, i.e., into and out of the bottom of the vehicle. The battery exchange system is located in a service bay under the vehicle. A sliding door system creates an opening above the service bay. The opening is of variable size depending on the size of the vehicle.