Payload Optimization in Drone Operations

Drone system for optimized delivery of payloads like soil amendments based on ground conditions. The drone has separate bays for different payloads like oolitic aragonite and fertilizer. The drone controller determines ground attributes at the delivery location, derives a payload ratio based on that, and releases the appropriate amounts of each payload from the bays. This allows flexible and optimized deployment of complex interacting payloads like soil amendments based on specific ground conditions.

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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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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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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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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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Optimizing drone flight control in emergency scenarios by dynamically adjusting parameters based on the payload type. The method involves acquiring control parameters specific to the payload being carried, taking into account the impact of the payload on flight performance. This allows tailoring the flight control to compensate for any degradation in stability or maneuverability caused by the payload. By adapting the flight control parameters according to the payload type, it improves the drone's overall performance and safety in emergency handling scenarios where different loads are used for various tasks.

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Weight distribution systems for managing the center of gravity (CG) of an aircraft like drones. The system uses a central landing gear between the main landing gears that allows balancing the aircraft when loaded. If the CG is out of range, the aircraft tips and sensors detect it. Then, a controller relocates payloads or modules to shift the CG back into range. The central gear can have wheels, skids, or stanchions. The payloads attach to rails with carriages that slide and lock into place. This allows flexible payload placement while maintaining CG balance.

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Intelligent control system for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) that reduces accidents and improves safety by autonomously adjusting flight parameters based on sensed payload data and nearby aircraft routes. The system involves a flight assistance device that receives payload data from the UAV during flight and nearby aircraft routes. It determines flight advice based on this data and modifies the UAV's flight parameters accordingly. This allows the UAV to adapt dynamically based on real-time conditions and avoid issues like payload imbalance or mid-air collisions.

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