Payload Optimization in Drone Operations

Multi-purpose drone for cargo loading that can transport cargo and generate information about the cargo at the same time. The drone has a detachable winch at the bottom to load cargo and a weight sensor to measure the weight. It also has sensors to detect obstacles and a controller to stop the drone if it gets too close. The cargo container inside the drone has partition walls to prevent shifting during flight. The drone body has sensors to measure distance and compare against a reference to prevent collisions. This allows safe cargo transport while monitoring weight.

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Intelligent cargo loading and transportation system for large unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) that allows automated, efficient, and safe cargo handling. The system involves installing a storage compartment near the nose of the UAV cabin and a delivery port below the belly. Cargo components are moved using side and bottom guide rails with electric locks. Two-way locks slide on horizontal rails to move components left or right. One-way locks slide on inclined rails to move cargo forward. This allows components to be fixed, locked, and transported autonomously within the UAV belly.

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Adjusting the center of gravity of a transport unmanned helicopter to improve endurance and load capacity without sacrificing weight like traditional counterweights. The system uses a movable pod below the helicopter, fuel storage inside the helicopter, and a center of gravity adjustment device between the frame and landing gear. The pod can be moved to balance cargo weight. An auxiliary fuel tank inside replaces external counterweights. This allows adjusting center of gravity using cargo and fuel instead of fixed weights.

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Smart logistics system for drone delivery that enables stable and efficient transport of packages by drones in urban areas. The system uses a specialized drone terminal design with a fixed support body, multi-rotor assembly, circular track, and internal cargo compartment. The cargo compartment slides along the track to balance the drone's center of gravity during flight. A data processing module collects real-time position data and a flight control module adjusts the drone's attitude based on that data. This allows precise and stable flight with cargo loads of varying weights. The drone terminal can be received at a fixed location and loaded by a separate terminal. The drone terminal then flies to deliver the cargo. This enables drone delivery in urban areas where precise and stable flight is needed.

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Enabling safe and efficient drone operations with payloads that vary in weight and characteristics. The drone's controller receives payload data, predicts flight response based on payload mass, and modifies commands to prevent unsafe maneuvers. It also calibrates flight parameters with the payload attached. This improves drone performance and prevents crashes when carrying different payloads. The drone also exchanges identification data with the payload for verification.

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An automated system for a drone to pick up payloads without human assistance. The system uses a ground-based apparatus with a funnel and channel. The drone lowers a retriever mechanism that slides down the funnel into the channel and grabs the payload. The drone can then lift the payload, disengaging it from the apparatus.

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Method for unmanned aerial vehicles (drones) to precisely unload goods into an autonomous vehicle's storage box. The drone analyzes an image of the vehicle to recognize a marker inside the box. It adjusts its position based on the marker's location until it is within a threshold distance from the box center. Then, if the goods have a suitable handling attribute, the drone lowers them on a wire into the open box and releases the grip. If not, it releases the grip in mid-air above the box. The marker is normally hidden under the closed lid, but the drone can request the vehicle to open it via wireless communication to expose the marker.

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Autonomous cargo handling system for unmanned aerial systems (UAS) that allows UAS to autonomously pick up and deliver cargo without human intervention. The system uses specialized cargo containers and UAS racks with aligned pyramid-shaped surfaces that connect under gravity. Electro-mechanical latches then rotate to capture the cargo. This allows the UAS to autonomously align and capture the cargo for autonomous pickup and delivery. The system enables true autonomous cargo handling for UAS applications.

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A way to securely attach packages to drones for delivery and retrieval. The system uses a package coupling apparatus with a hanger and strap. The hanger attaches to the drone payload retriever and the strap wraps around the package. This securely connects the package to the drone so it can be lifted, transported and lowered using the retriever and a tether.

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An attachment mechanism secures packages to drones for delivery. The mechanism has a support plate that attaches to the top of a package and an extended handle. The handle has an opening and bridge that can be grasped by a drone's payload retriever. This allows the drone to lift and transport the package while keeping the payload enclosed. The package attachment avoids the need for external dangling straps or hooks.

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Using multiple drones in a coordinated fashion to lift, maneuver, and transport payloads. The drones communicate with each other to dynamically adjust their movements in response to changes in the payload. This allows more efficient and scalable lifting compared to using a single drone or multiple drones with separate operators. The drones can autonomously cooperate or be remotely controlled by a command center. The modular system allows using drones with varying lifting capabilities to match payload size instead of overprovisioning with a single heavy-lifting drone.

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An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) system for delivering and retrieving payloads autonomously while providing user interaction and feedback capabilities to enhance safety and usability. The system uses a tethered payload coupling apparatus that automatically detaches from the payload after delivery. The tether is winched to lower and raise payloads while allowing user interaction via the tether. The winch motor monitors patterns indicative of user interaction and responds accordingly. The motor can counter, assist, or retract against forces applied to the tether.

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Method for stabilizing payloads carried by unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) during landing and takeoff to prevent damage. The UAV has a rack with adjustable legs connected by springs. After landing, the legs extend to support the UAV and payload. Before takeoff, the legs retract into the rack. This allows the UAV to land and unload cargo without damage, then adjust the payload position before takeoff. The legs also absorb shocks during landing. The UAV has a central control system that analyzes payload size and sends instructions to extend/retract the legs.

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An intelligent containerized flying wing unmanned transport aircraft for cargo delivery that can autonomously load and unload standard containers. The aircraft has a fuselage with compartments for equipment, cargo, and fuel. It has retractable landing gear and turboprop engines. The cargo compartment has a sliding guide rail for containers. An automatic docking device and sensor attach to the rail. Containers can be loaded/unloaded by AGVs onto the docking device. The container slides into the compartment and locks in place. This allows ground vehicles to transport containers to the aircraft for autonomous aerial delivery.

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A multi-rotor unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) system for reliable long-distance cargo transportation. The system uses multiple UAVs that can handover cargo mid-flight to extend range. When a UAV detects low power or faults, it hovers and sends an alarm. Nearby UAVs respond and handover cargo. The UAVs also have mechanisms to load, transfer, and receive cargo. This allows passing items between UAVs mid-air to extend range beyond what a single UAV can do.

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An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) load balancing system that allows transporting heavier cargo by automatically adjusting the drone's flight attitude to compensate for the weight imbalance. The system uses a balance sensing module with a pressure sensor connected to the cargo and frame. It feeds back pressure data to the UAV control system, which then adjusts motor power to counteract the weight shift. This maintains balance during flight.

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A cargo drone optimized for goods transportation that overcomes the limitations of current drones for carrying packages. The cargo drone has a unique modular loading system that allows the center of mass to align vertically with the drone's aerodynamic center of gravity, regardless of the cargo configuration. This ensures proper flight dynamics and reduces drag compared to hanging containers below the drone. The loading system uses retractable casters on the cargo holds that lower to disengage from a central interface plate before liftoff. This separates the cargo hold from the drone for vertical takeoff and landing. It also allows automated loading/unloading without human intervention.

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Method and system for rapidly stabilizing the fluctuation of a payload mounted on a drone to improve drone payload performance during flight. The method involves measuring vibrations of the payload, classifying low-frequency and high-frequency kinetic energy components, and providing reversed low-frequency and high-frequency kinetic energy to counteract the original vibrations. This rapid stabilization is achieved by separately providing reversed low-frequency and reversed high-frequency motion instead of just a single reversed motion. The reversed motions can be calculated based on the classified kinetic energy.

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Flight safety system for drones that can balance loading and prevent crashes during flight. The system continuously detects in-flight unbalancing loading using sensors. When unbalancing is detected, the system compensates by individually controlling drone motors to balance the load. It can also proactively compensate for planned operations like cargo release or shooting by adjusting motor thrust. This prevents crashes caused by unbalancing forces. The system can also trigger a parachute deployment with horizontal thrust from an auxiliary motor to divert a drone with malfunctioning motors.

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A payload coupler for suspending and controlling a load from a lifting device like a drone. The coupler has an attached propulsion system that generates forces to keep the coupler in a stable position when suspended. This allows the coupler to hold position relative to the lifting device while the drone moves. The forces can be vertical and lateral components to oppose gravity and stabilize the coupler. It also has a payload attachment and release system for connecting loads.

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