Abstract: A hydro-formed body side rail is assembled by a bracket to a front header. The front header is an extruded cross-car structural support that is joined to the body side rail by a framed joint. A gap is defined between the body side outer panel and the hydro-formed side rail relative to a lateral end of a front header. Side impact test loads are applied initially to the body side rail and compress the bracket. Compression of the bracket closes the gap and the impact loads are applied to the cross-car structural support.

Abstract: A sill reinforcement assembly is provided for a sill area of a pick-up truck bed that is supported on and connected to a pair of frame rails. A unitary one-piece aluminum reinforcement is secured to the frame rails below the pick-up truck bed by a frame bolt fastener. The unitary reinforcement includes a continuous tubular receptacle for the frame bolt. One or more transverse walls of the reinforcement are connected by one or more bridging walls to the tubular receptacle. The transverse walls are connected by one-sided fasteners to a laterally extending wall of transverse beams. The frame bolt extends through the truck bed floor, the tubular receptacle, the transverse beam and is secured to the frame rails below the pick-up truck bed.

Abstract: Examples of drag reduction apparatuses and assemblies for land vehicles, and particularly for attachment to a roll-up door of a land vehicle, are described. A drag reduction apparatus may include a plurality of panels foldably coupled together and automatically deployable into an unfolded configuration in which the panels define a cavity therebetween. The panels may be made from a semi-rigid material so that the panels generally conform to a roll-up door when the door is rolled up and/or down. The apparatus may be attached to the roll-up door using any of a variety of attachment mechanisms, for example a slidable keder-type device and/or one or more spring-loaded members.

Abstract: A snowmobile has a frame having a tunnel, a motor mounted to the frame, the motor having a motor shaft, at least one ski operatively connected to the frame and a continuously variable transmission. The continuously variable transmission has a driving pulley operatively connected to the motor shaft, a driven pulley, and a drive belt looped around the driving pulley and the driven pulley. The snowmobile also has a drive track operatively connected to the driven pulley, a flexible mechanical element operatively connecting the drive track to the driven pulley, the drive track rotating in a first direction during operation of the snowmobile, and at least one of the motor shaft. The driving pulley and the driven pulley rotate in a second direction opposite the first direction during operation of the snowmobile.

Abstract: An endless track for traction of an off-road vehicle, such as an all-terrain vehicle (ATV) or a snowmobile. The endless track comprises an inner side for facing track-contacting wheels around which it is mountable and a ground-engaging outer side for engaging the ground. The ground-engaging outer side comprises a plurality of traction projections distributed along a longitudinal direction of the endless track. The traction projections may be designed to control rigidity characteristics, such as a longitudinal rigidity and a widthwise rigidity, of the endless track, while maintaining a weight of the endless track relatively low.

Abstract: A wear shoe assembly is disclosed. The wear shoe assembly may have a wear shoe extending from a wear shoe front end to a wear shoe rear end. The wear shoe may have a front wear shoe transition disposed adjacent wear shoe front end. The front wear shoe transition may have a wedge shape. The wear shoe may also have a rear wear shoe transition disposed adjacent the wear shoe rear end. The wear shoe assembly may also have a lift kit extending from a lift kit front end to a lift kit rear end disposed between the wear shoe front end and the wear shoe rear end. The lift kit may have a first width. The lift kit may also have a lift kit projection extending from the lift kit front end to the wear shoe front end. The lift kit projection may have a second width smaller than the first width.

Abstract: Disclosed are various exemplary embodiments of a track joint assembly. In one exemplary embodiment, the track joint assembly may include a first link having a first bore. The track joint assembly may also include a second link having a second bore including first and second portions. The first and second portions may have different diameters. In addition, the track joint assembly may include a solid pin positioned at least partially within the first bore. The track joint may also include a bushing positioned coaxially around the pin. The bushing may include an axial end portion disposed in and contacting the first portion of the second bore. The bushing may also include an axial end-adjacent portion disposed in and contacting the second portion of the second bore. An outer diameter of the end-adjacent portion may be larger than an outer diameter of the end portion.

Abstract: A track assembly for providing traction to an off-road vehicle, such as an agricultural vehicle, a construction vehicle, or another work vehicle, in which the track assembly may comprise a suspension between a frame of the track assembly and a bogie carrying roller wheels of the track assembly.

Abstract: A track chain assembly for an undercarriage system is provided. The track chain assembly includes a plurality of adjacent offset link sets connected to each other through a pin provided between oppositely disposed offset links wherein an axis of rotation is defined by the pin. The track chain assembly also includes a connection assembly coupled to a pair of the plurality of offset link sets. The connection assembly is configured to connect two ends of the track chain assembly together to form an endless loop. The connection assembly includes a first pair of straight links coupled to one of the pair of the plurality of offset link sets. The connection assembly also includes a second pair of straight links coupled to the first pair of straight links and the other of the pair of the plurality of offset link sets.

Abstract: An attachment mount for the front end of a truck, which can fit trucks with full-width or tapering chassis. The attachment mount may include a front member for supporting a front-end truck attachment, and a distribution member. The distribution member may be attached to the vehicle chassis and to the front member, so that the attachment mount spreads stresses originating from downwardly-directed forces exerted on the front member by the attachment, to the front portion of the vehicle chassis.

Abstract: An auxiliary child bicycle seat is provided comprising multiple components (2, 9, 16, 22, 42, 43, 47) in the form of generally flat foam bodies. Two operatively upright seat support panels (9, 42) support a seat panel (16, 47) that also attaches to a front panel (22, 43). The front panel (22, 43) is adapted to operatively extend downwards from a front region of the seat and the front panel (22, 43) has a central divide (23, 55) such that a portion of the front panel (22, 43) is located on each side of a top tube (3, 50) in use and wherein the front panel (22, 43) provides a footrest (24, 51) on each side of the divide (23, 55). The components (2, 9, 16, 22, 42, 43, 47) may be cut from a prefabricated semi-rigid sheet of foam material having a suitable thickness and rigidity or they may be cast or moulded from a suitable foam material having an integral skin. The seat attaches to a bicycle using appropriate straps (4, 49, 56, 57).

Abstract: A link mechanism includes a shock absorber rod pivotally supported in an upwardly and downwardly swingable manner on a body frame. A shock absorber arm is disposed between a pair of left and right rod portions constituting the shock absorber rod. A front end portion of the shock absorber arm is connected to a lower end portion of a shock absorber unit, a rear upper end portion is connected to a swing arm, and a rear lower end portion is connected to a rear end portion of the shock absorber rod. A link guard covers at least an area from a front end portion of the shock absorber rod to the front end portion of the shock absorber arm on the lower side thereof to be fixed to and to spread over the pair of left and right rod portions.

Abstract: In an inverted pendulum type vehicle no excessive load is exerted on a sub-wheel even in the case where some downward load is exerted on a sub-wheel arm. The inverted pendulum type vehicle includes a main wheel capable of moving forward, rearward, to the left and to the right with a vehicle body frame supported by the main wheel. The inverted pendulum type vehicle further includes the sub-wheel arm turnably supported on the vehicle body frame with the sub-wheel being supported by the sub-wheel arm and being grounded. The sub-wheel is supported through a deformable biasing device, and is biased into a predetermined position in relation to the sub-wheel arm. When a downward load is exerted on the sub-wheel arm, the biasing device deforms, whereby at least part of the sub-wheel arm is grounded.

Abstract: A saddle-ride type vehicle which includes a rear suspension supporting portion disposed on a cross member of a body frame, and an engine supported on the body frame, wherein the load transmission between the front and rear of the body frame is suppressed while mass concentration is achieved. The saddle-ride type vehicle supports a shock absorber upper end coupling portion on the cross member coupling left and right pivot frames, and supports the engine E below main frames forwardly of the pivot frames. The cross member is disposed closer to the seat rail coupling portions between upper rear portions of the left and right pivot frames. The shock absorber upper end coupling portion is provided at a leading end portion of a shock absorber support bracket extending forwardly and downwardly from the cross member.

Abstract: The bicycle with adjustable pedaling resistance using magnetorheological-based fluid is a bicycle that includes a pedaling resistance member. The pedaling resistance member is optionally used to increase the resistance of the bicycle pedals when in use. The pedaling resistance member is integrated into the frame of the bicycle, and includes a hollow cylinder that is partially filled with a magnetorheological fluid. A paddle is affixed to a crankshaft that extends between the bicycle pedals, and across the hollow cylinder. A powering member is in wired connection with an electromagnetic coil, which is in fluid connection with the magnetorheological fluid. The powering member is able to apply electricity to the magnetorheological fluid, which in turn increases viscosity of the magnetorheological fluid thereby increasing pedaling resistance to the bicycle pedals via the paddle rotating within the hollow cylinder.

Abstract: The present invention refers to a bicycle gearshift with improved precision control, comprising a kinematic mechanism in the form of a four-bar linkage with a base body and a mobile body connected together through a pair of connecting rods articulated to the base body and to the mobile body at four pin elements, each pair of opposite pin elements of the four pin elements defining a diagonal of the four-bar linkage kinematic mechanism, and a first attachment group of the base body to a bicycle frame, the mobile body being connected to a chain guide at a second attachment group, the four-bar linkage kinematic mechanism being associated with gearshift actuation means suitable for deforming the four-bar linkage kinematic mechanism so as to determine a displacement of the mobile body with respect to the base body and consequently a primary displacement of the chain guide in the axial direction with respect to the axis (A) of a cogset, and it is characterised in that the first attachment group comprises a kinematic

Abstract: A bicycle control device includes a housing member, a control lever member, a shift-operating mechanism and a hydraulic fluid pressure generator. The housing member has an attachment part for attachment to a handlebar, and a grip part extending longitudinally between first and second ends of the grip part. The control lever member pivots relative to the housing member. The shift-operating mechanism is coupled to a shifting device by a control cable. The hydraulic fluid pressure generator has a cylinder, a piston movably disposed within the cylinder by movement of control lever member to generate fluid pressure for controlling a braking device, a piston position adjustment mechanism adjustably coupling the piston with respect to the cylinder to change an initial position of the piston with respect to the cylinder.

Abstract: A wake adjustment system for a boat may include a pair of wake adjustment devices mountable at the stern of the boat to deflect water moving past a stern trailing edge of the boat's running surface. A wake adjustment device includes a water deflector that is rotatable about a first pivot axis for varying a degree of wake adjustment. The pivot axis is non-parallel to the boat's stern trailing edge.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for attaching a first watercraft to another structure such as another watercraft or a fixed structure. The apparatus comprises a spacing member and attachment members. The spacing member has two ends and outer edges that define a width of the spacing member. An attachment member is connected to each end of the spacing member at the outer edges. The attachment members are releasably attachable to the watercraft and the attachment members are freely rotatable about each end of the spacing member. Another example of the apparatus provides two spacing members, first and second attaching loops and a tension system. The first attaching loop extends from a first end of the two spacing members. The second attaching loop extends from a second end of the spacing members. The attaching loops are releasably attachable to the watercraft and it is freely rotatable about the ends of each of the spacing members.

Abstract: Methods and arrangements of releasably mooring a ship in a definite position at a distance from land with an ability to return later to the same place. The mooring is accomplished by means of a substantially ring-shaped mooring unit, which can be raised and lowered and which has a gap along its periphery, which can be connected to and disconnected from the ship by a connectable part located below the surface of the water. The mooring unit enables a ship carrying a downwardly protruding load to pass by after disconnection and lowering of the mooring unit, and to be rotated round an essentially vertical imaginary axis.

Abstract: This invention provides a boarding aid [40] for small boats such as a trailer boats [57] which has a rigid stirrup assembly [59] incorporating a foot support [46] which pivots about a transverse axle [44] for the bow roller [56] between an on-deck stowed position to a deployed position at which it is stably supported by abutment against a stop [47] associated with and spaced from the axle [44]. The axle [44] and the stop [47] are part of a support frame assembly [58] which mounts to the boat's foredeck [48]. When the rigid stirrup assembly [59] pivots to its deployed position it is held stably by the abutment [47] in a position at which the foot support [46] is below and forwardly of the bow roller [56]. The boat is also provided with opposed bow rails [50, 51] which may be gripped to enable a user to elevate themselves from the foot support, onto the foredeck [48].

Abstract: A floating platform includes multiple flotation block elements arranged in a general grid pattern, and a structural body supported buoyantly by the flotation elements. An assemblage of floating platforms are joined by one or more connector elements each having a cylindrical body extending across a control joint between opposed sidewall surfaces of adjacent floating platforms. The cylindrical body has a first portion received within a first cylindrical disc assembly secured by a first clamp element and fixedly attached to a first of the opposed sidewall surfaces. The cylindrical body also has an opposite, second end portion received within a second cylindrical disc assembly secured by a second clamp element and fixedly attached to a second of the opposed sidewall surfaces, opposite to the first of the opposed sidewall surfaces. The cylindrical body may be a flexible, or the cylindrical body may be relatively stiff or rigid.

Abstract: A controlling system is used for controlling a state of a floating arrangement comprising plurality of containers, such as shipping or standard freight containers, especially consistent with ISO standard. At least some of the containers comprise a float arrangement having e.g. intra-container water-displacing volumes, such as an inflatable bag, which can be used for displacing water from the container when the inflatable bag is filled or for letting more water entering into the container when the inflatable bag is emptied, and thereby manipulating the buoyancy or draft of the container and thus also the same of the pontoon platform comprising said container(s). The state of the container and thus the floating arrangement can be controlled by operating the float arrangement by the controlling system, such as manipulating the inflatable bags or other state changing means of the float arrangement, such as propellers or supporting means.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a sports device, such as a surf board, water board, and the like for use by persons in moving over a water surface. The device generally has: a) a central foam core; b) a cover fabric laminated around the central foam core; c) a laminating adhesive securing the cover fabric to the central foam core; and d) a water resistant polymeric coating covering the laminated cover fabric and laminating adhesive. The laminating adhesive generally has a specific gravity of less than 2.0 g/m3. The laminating adhesive may have a Shore A hardness of at least 70 and may be a water-based polyurethane emulsion, a methacrylate-acrylate copolymer emulsion, an epoxy or epoxy-acrylate hybrid emulsion adhesive or a mixture of at least any two of these adhesives.

Abstract: A fin for water sports is described, in particular for surfing, consisting of a base element (1), comprising at least two blade elements (2), the blade element respectively having at least a first and a second portion, and the respective first portion of the blade element covering the base element, and the blade elements being connected by the second portions, and having a bar integrated into the fin in order to facilitate and simplify turning maneuvers.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for treating an underwater surface, said apparatus including an enclosure which is fitted with two brush members rotating in directions opposite to each other and equipped with bristles. The enclosure has a discharge opening for relieving the enclosure of matter removed from an underwater surface. The discharge opening can be accompanied by a collection arrangement for gathering the matter removed from an underwater surface. For effective collection and suction effect, the brush members are arranged in such a way that, as the brush members are rotating, the bristles thereof are at least in partial contact with each other in a given contact zone, and in such a way that the brush members have a rotating direction which in the contact zone is towards the discharge opening included in the enclosure. In addition, the enclosure is provided with a skirt portion, which encircles the brush members and extends to a location at the discharge opening from both sides thereof.

Abstract: A remotely operated vehicle integrated system comprises one or more remotely operated vehicles (ROV) configured to be deployed substantially continuously subsea and one or more a tether management systems configured to be deployed substantially continuously subsea. The ROVs and tether management systems are typically deployed substantially continuously subsea where a first signal interface, e.g. for power and/or data, is operatively connecting the signal source deployed substantially permanently subsea and one or more of the ROVs operatively connected the signal source.

Abstract: A low-disturbance trolling transducer mount system and method for shallow-water fishing and similar situations presenting a need to navigate through vegetation and obstructions, protecting against obstructions, without disturbing or destroying the fish-inhabited vegetation, without disturbing the water around the vegetation, placing and maintaining the transducer in the proper relation to the vegetation and to the trolling motor to avoid entanglement and turbulence affecting reliability of readings, including prevention of the trolling motor hindering the operation of the transducer, or vice versa, allowing for movement of the transducer around obstructions and heavy vegetation, with a streamlined design and durable construction.

Abstract: A jet propelled watercraft includes a front stopper that is disposed between a hull and an engine, that faces the hull across a space therebetween in an up-down direction, and that is made of an elastic material. The engine includes a crankshaft rotatable around a crankshaft axis, a crankcase that houses the crankshaft, a case cover attached to the crankcase, and a stopper attachment portion that is integral and unitary with the case cover and to which the front stopper is attached.

Abstract: A motorized watercraft is a vehicle that is used to transport a user across the water. The motorized watercraft includes a floating board, a control unit, a propulsion system, a power source, and a plurality of conduit stringers. The floating board allows a user to float above the water. The propulsion system is used to supplement or replace human exertion as a means of propelling the floating board across the water. The control unit is mounted to the deck of the floating board and is used to regulate the speed of the propulsion system and may be used to control lights which are mounted into the floating board. The power source is used to provide the energy needed for running the propulsion system and the lights. The plurality of conduit stringers run through the floating board, strengthening the floating board and providing channels through which wiring may run.

Abstract: Watercraft automation and aquatic data utilization for aquatic efforts are utilized for updating map data. A GPS mapping computer and a sonar device are in communication. The GPS mapping computer displays aquatic effort data. Current aquatic effort data is obtained on the GPS mapping computer. The GPS mapping computer is updated with the current aquatic effort data. The update includes updating map data with the current position and the current sonar information.

Abstract: An electric battery for the propulsion of vehicles in an underwater environment, comprising a cylindrical tubular casing defining a main chamber housing an anhydrous electrolyte; intake members to transfer a flow of water from the marine environment to the main chamber, to form, following execution of a water-intake command, a liquid electrolyte; a plurality of electrochemical cells housed in the tubular casing; a heat exchanger receiving as input electrolyte taken from the main chamber and an outlet communicating with an inlet of the electrochemical cells. The heat exchanger is provided in the cylindrical tubular portion and comprises at least one channel made in an inner wall of the cylindrical tubular portion, and extending along a helical path coaxial to the axis of the tubular portion.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for holding the position of a watercraft stationary. An exemplary method includes measuring a velocity of an auxiliary water vessel relative to the watercraft with a first sensor, where the auxiliary water vessel is deployed at a depth between the watercraft and a ground surface of the body of water. The method further includes measuring a velocity of current in the body of water relative to the watercraft with a second sensor. The method further includes processing the velocity measurement of the auxiliary water vessel and the velocity measurement of the current to determine a net movement of the watercraft, and controlling a propulsion system to compensate for the net movement of the watercraft to hold the watercraft in a stationary position.

Abstract: An airship (1) comprising a flexible envelope (2), a wall (3) located inside the envelope, and a pumping device. The wall (3) extends longitudinally between the nose and the tail, thus separating the inside space of the envelope into a first space (E1) and a second space (E2), said second space being located on the periphery of the envelope between a first point (P1) and a second point (P2). The pumping device is adapted to inflate the second space so that the envelope assumes a second shape, and to deflate the second space so that the envelope assumes a first shape which is different from the second shape.

Abstract: Aircraft fuselages are disclosed herein. An example apparatus includes a fuselage of an aircraft having a first section and a second section to which a tail assembly is to be coupled. The second section is aft of the first section and is to extend to at least a trailing edge of a horizontal stabilizer of the tail assembly. A first width of the first section decreases from a front to a rear of the first section, and a second width of the second section is substantially constant.

Abstract: A facing arrangement for a hold of an aircraft or spacecraft. The facing arrangement comprises a first and a second panel which form a gap between them; a first mounting part which is to be attached to a primary structure of the hold and which has at least one locking arrangement, and a second mounting part which has at least one counter locking arrangement. The locking arrangement and/or the counter locking arrangement passing, at least in portions, through the gap between the first and the second panel. The locking arrangement and the counter locking arrangement being locked together in order to connect the first mounting part to the second mounting part for holding the first and second panels between the first mounting part and the second mounting part.

Abstract: A forward part of an aircraft comprising a fuselage and a landing gear well housing a forward landing gear comprising a breaker strut designed to adopt an extended configuration when the landing gear is extended, configuration in which said breaker strut lies in a strut plane parallel to the transverse direction of the forward part. The forward part comprises a transverse beam resisting strut reactions located above the landing gear well and mounted on the fuselage at its two ends, the beam having a globally rectangular cross-section, in which the median plane parallel to the length of the rectangle is coincident with said strut plane.

Abstract: The modular aircraft system includes a single fuselage having a permanently installed empennage and plural sets of wing modules and engine modules, with each wing and engine module optimized for different flight conditions and missions. The fuselage and each of the modules are configured for rapid removal and installation of the modules to minimize downtime for the aircraft. Short wings having relatively low aspect ratio are provided for relatively high speed flight when great endurance and/or weight carrying capacity are not of great concern. Long wings having high aspect ratio are provided for longer range and endurance flights where speed is not absolutely vital. A medium span wing module is also provided. Turboprop, single turbojet, and dual turbojet engine modules are provided for installation depending upon mission requirements for any given flight. The aircraft is primarily adapted for use as an autonomously operated or remotely operated unmanned aerial vehicle.

Abstract: A vortex generation apparatus including a vortex generator that deploys in response to deployment of a wing leading edge lift augmentation device. The vortex generator deploys into a position to generate vortices over a main wing body upper surface region trailing the vortex generator.

Abstract: A propeller blade includes a foam core, an adhesive layer formed on the core and a structural layer that covers at least a portion of the adhesive layer and that surrounds at least a portion of the foam core.

Abstract: In one aspect, an aircraft instrumentation system for a cockpit instrument panel of an aircraft is provided. The system includes a first display operable to display at least one of flight mission data or aircraft systems monitoring data, and a second display operable to control a plurality of display options of the first display. The first display and the second display are positioned outside an ejection envelope of the aircraft.

Abstract: An energy protection device comprising an activation unit for, in a low energy situation, automatically activating an energy protection function comprising automatically engaging an autothrust and automatically controlling the engines of the aircraft for the engines to supply a maximum thrust, an auxiliary monitoring unit configured to perform a monitoring to detect an absence of activation of a protection mode by at least one of the engines of the aircraft although an activation command has been transmitted, and a disconnection unit to automatically disconnect the autothrust in case of the detection of such a situation, a disconnection of the autothrust resulting in the triggering of the protection function being stopped.

Abstract: A flexible joint assembly for providing flexure to a rotor blade comprising an upper hub plate and a lower hub plate configured to secure a rotor blade yoke via a bolted joint located radially outward of a mast; and an upper flexure assembly connected to the upper hub plate and a lower flexure assembly connected to the lower hub plate, wherein the upper flexure assembly and lower flexure assembly are configured to promote flapping of the rotor blade yoke about a flapping hinge located radially outward of the bolted joint.

Abstract: A hub system comprises at least one yoke, at least one shear bearing, and at least one mast adapter. The at least one mast adapter is configured to support the at least one yoke and the at least one shear bearing, and the at least one yoke has a flapping hinge that is non-coincident with a flapping hinge of the at least one shear bearing. Another hub system comprises a stacked yoke and a mast adapter. The mast adapter is configured to transfer rotation from a rotor mast to the hub system to rotate the hub system about a central axis of rotation. The mast adapter is further configured to support the stacked yoke such that each yoke in the stacked yoke is configured to accommodate at least some amount of rotation about an axis that is perpendicular to or about perpendicular to the central axis of rotation.

Abstract: A composite spar for a helicopter blade includes two or more layers of unidirectional laminate material. One or more upper plies of bi-directional laminate extend from an upper airfoil portion of the spar disposed between adjacent layers of the two or more layers of unidirectional laminate material. One or more lower plies of bi-directional laminate material extend from a lower airfoil portion of the spar disposed between adjacent layers of the two or more layers of unidirectional material. The upper plies and the lower plies overlap defining a crackstopper layer configured to prevent propagation of defects in the spar.

Abstract: A rotor assembly for a rotary wing aircraft includes a plurality of rotor blades operably connected to a rotor shaft. Two or more active adaptive devices are located at one or more rotor blades of the plurality of rotor blades. The one or more active adaptive devices are operably connected to an aircraft flight control system such that, when activated, the one or more active adaptive devices change one or more operational characteristics of the rotor assembly. A method of operating a rotor assembly of a rotary wing aircraft includes rotating a plurality of rotor blades about a rotor shaft. Two or more active adaptive devices located at one or more rotor blades of the plurality of rotor blades are activated and change one or more operational characteristics of the rotor assembly.

Abstract: A system for facilitating automated landing and takeoff of an autonomous or pilot controlled hovering air vehicle with a cooperative underbody at a stationary or mobile landing place and an automated storage system used in conjunction with the landing and takeoff mechanism that stores and services a plurality of UAVs is described. The system is primarily characterized in that the landing mechanism is settable with 6 axes in roll, pitch, yaw, and x, y and z and becomes aligned with and intercepts the air vehicle in flight and decelerates the vehicle with respect to vehicle's inertial limits. The air vehicle and capture mechanism are provided with a transmitter and receiver to coordinate vehicle priority and distance and angles between landing mechanism and air vehicle. The landing and takeoff system has means of tracking the position and orientation of the UAV in real time. The landing mechanism will be substantially aligned to the base of the air vehicle. With small UAVs, their lifting capacity is limited.

Abstract: Systems and methods for performing insurance damage inspection by an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) are provided. A computing device may receive a request to inspect a vehicle, the request comprising a location of the vehicle. The computing device may identify a UAV from a plurality of UAVs that is located closest to the location of the vehicle from other UAVs in the plurality of UAVs. The computing device may instruct the UAV to travel to the location of the vehicle. The computing device may instruct the UAV to collect damage information on the vehicle using one or more onboard sensors of the UAV. The computing device may determine an amount of insurance payout to approve for repairs to the vehicle based on the damage information collected by the UAV.

Abstract: An aircraft store ejector systems and subsystems thereof. Embodiments can include a two-reservoir re-pressurization system wherein a remote reservoir is used to maintain desired pressure in a local ejector reservoir. The system can include a release valve having a vent valve and valve piston. The release valve can control release of pressurized gas to a pitch control valve. The pitch control valve can be configured to distribute the pressurized gas between two or more ejector piston assemblies. One or more of the ejector piston assemblies can include multiple concentric piston stages and piston chambers, the piston chambers configured to contain a volume of gas. The ejector piston assemblies can be configured to compress the volume of gas within the piston chambers as the piston stages are extended out from the aircraft. Such compression can provide a return force to the piston stages.

Abstract: An apparatus to aerially dispense payload containers from an aircraft is provided. The apparatus includes an outer portion, including an opening to allow a payload container to leave the apparatus when the payload container is in alignment with the opening. The apparatus also includes an inner portion, configured to rotate within the outer portion. The inner portion has one or more cutouts that retain the payload container. The apparatus further includes an actuator, coupled to the inner portion, and a processor circuit. The processor circuit commands the actuator to rotate the inner portion to cause the payload container to align with the opening.