Patents in Drone Payload Pickup Automation: Recent Innovations

A retractable delivery system for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) is used to deliver payloads using a lowering mechanism. The system uses a tethered delivery device that can secure and release payloads while being lowered from the UAV. The UAV hovers above the delivery location and lowers the payload using the device. An imaging system on the UAV tracks the descending device to determine when it reaches the ground.

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Using unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to provide package delivery services that efficiently utilize the UAV's payload capacity and minimize errors. Rather than assigning specific packages for pickup, UAVs are given tasks to pick up packages at loading locations. Once a package is loaded and identified, the task is updated with the delivery location. This allows UAVs to load any available package and dynamically adjusts routes based on package identity. It also enables early detection of incorrect loads.

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Automated payload retrieval from a ground station by an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) without human intervention. The payload retrieval system involves a channel with a curved exit that directs a tethered payload retriever to automatically engage and extract a payload from a holder at the end of the channel. The curved exit angles the retriever's lip upward to align with the payload handle opening. The channel has mechanisms like cams, magnets, springs, or protrusions to properly orient and secure the retriever onto the payload.

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Automated pickup of payloads by drones without human involvement. The pickup system involves a funneling mechanism that guides a tethered payload retriever into a channel when a drone lowers it onto a stand. The retriever engages and removes the payload from the channel. This allows a drone to automatically pick up payloads at a designated site without a person securing the payload.

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Optimizing uncrewed aerial vehicle (UAV) performance and cargo delivery by using automated systems to retrieve and secure cargo containers onto the UAV, checking the weight and balance of the cargo before flight, using a hybrid drivetrain with a clutch to decouple the propeller during vertical flight to reduce drag, retracting the rotor blades into the boom for horizontal flight to reduce drag, and using sensors to monitor cargo weight and balance for safe operations.

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Automated payload retrieval from a designated payload retrieval apparatus by a UAV using a tethered payload retriever. The apparatus has a channel with an extending member that directs the UAV tether into the channel. A payload holder secures the payload. The tethered UAV can pilot itself to the apparatus and the tether slides into the channel, engaging the payload retriever to pick up the payload. The UAV then winches the payload into the air for delivery. This automated, contact-based system allows UAVs to retrieve payloads without human intervention at pickup sites.

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A system to deliver packages using unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) without requiring the UAV to land. The system uses a tether to lower the package from the UAV while in flight, and techniques to stabilize the package descent and release it once lowered. This allows precise delivery without landing. The stabilization techniques involve monitoring and modulating the package motion to prevent swinging.

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A winch mechanism for an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) that can autonomously deliver and retrieve payloads using a tethered winch mechanism. The UAV has a control system for autonomous winch operation, and a motorized winch to lower and raise payloads via a tether. The winch detects user interaction and responds appropriately.

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An automatic drone delivery system using detachable cargo containers that can be loaded, transported, and landed autonomously. The system uses unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) with specialized payload containers that attach to the bottom of the drone in flight. The containers have built-in batteries or fuel cells to power the drone. Drones land on elevated stations that can load/unload containers and charge them. Automated systems move containers between stations and drones.

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A drone with a forklift-like system to autonomously load and unload payloads without human assistance. The drone has a telescoping mast with extending prongs that can adjust to fit around packages of different sizes. It can fly to a package, maneuver the prongs underneath it and raise the mast to grip the package. The drone then lifts off and carries the package. The telescoping mast allows it to grab packages of varying heights in tightly packed spaces like delivery trucks or warehouses.

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Delivery of packages from an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) without landing the UAV. The UAV hovers above the delivery location, lowers the package using a crane system, and stops when the package release hanger contacts a stop switch on the UAV.

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An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) that enables safe and controlled delivery and retrieval of payloads without requiring user control. The UAV has a winch system can automatically lower and raise payloads using a tether. The winch has a motor that can detect when a user manually interacts with the tether and responds accordingly. When user interaction is detected, the motor applies torque to maintain tension and resist unwinding forces. This allows a user to guide the payload down and release it without inadvertently impacting the UAV. The motor also assists or retracts the tether when a user applies force.

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Passive payload release mechanism for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) that enables automatic payload release from a tethered UAV without electronics or power. The mechanism involves an extendable hook that secures the payload when retracted inside a housing. When the housing is lowered, the hook extends and the payload detaches. The housing is tethered to the UAV and raises/lowers.

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A drone delivery system that can automatically load and unload packages without human intervention. The system uses a detachable hook that attaches to the drone's lifting wire and has a mechanism to automatically release the package once it is set down on the ground. This allows the drone to drop off packages without requiring a person to detach them manually.

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Automated payload retrieval from a payload retrieval apparatus using a UAV without a person at the retrieval site. The retrieval apparatus has a channel with tether engagers at one end and a payload holder at the other end. A UAV's tether engages the apparatus, pulling the payload retriever through the channel to disengage the payload.

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An automated payload transfer system that can couple payloads to and from vehicles without human intervention for autonomous delivery. The system includes engagement latches on the vehicle that align with receptors on the payload. An alignment guide positions the payload correctly for latch engagement. Once aligned, the latches move sideways to engage the receptors and lock the payload to the vehicle. The vehicle docks autonomously on a platform using insert units that engage receptors on the platform.

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A package delivery system using drones that can deliver packages without having to land. The system allows the drone to forcefully propel the package from the air while the drone is still in motion. The drone applies a force that changes the package's trajectory from a parabolic path to a vertical descent path, allowing it to be dropped from the drone without landing.

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An efficient, automated, and quick method of loading onto and unloading from a UAV various modular cartridges, attachments, or objects. It provides an unmanned vehicle (UAV) and base station system that allows for a UAV to be efficiently loaded with payload, objects, or cargo to be delivered to a site location either for emergency situations, surveillance, or payload delivery. The base station houses modular cartridges that contain specialized payloads like cameras, batteries, sensors, chemicals, etc. A retrieving mechanism in the base station loads and unloads the cartridges from the UAV compartment. This allows quick swapping of payloads for different tasks.

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Automated system for evaluating and loading delivery drones between flights to increase their efficiency. The system evaluates the readiness of delivery drones after a flight and automatically loads them with new packages for the next delivery. This automated evaluation and loading process reduces turnaround time between flights, increasing drone utilization.

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System for unmanned aerial vehicles to identify objects placed in their payload bay and verify that they are properly seated using sensors like infrared, barcode, QR or vision sensors. The sensor detects the object identity and position within the bay. This allows the UAV to ensure objects are safely secured and match the intended load.

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