444results about "Freight handling installations" patented technology

The invention relates to a mobile structure for dispatching and accommodating drones, comprising a landing platform, a lifting unit for adjusting the height of the landing platform, and a storage unit. The lifting unit allows lifting and lowering of the landing platform up to a height from which a drone can take off and land (take-off height), and to a height in which the landing platform can transfer a drone to a storage level of the storage unit or receive the drone from a storage level (storage level height).

The invention relates to a landing platform for a drone (6), comprising a landing surface comprising two conveyor belts (2) which are arranged parallel in the same horizontal plane and which are spaced apart such that a drone (6) standing on the landing surface can simultaneously have contact with both conveyor belts (drone conveyor belts), two sliding bars (3) which each extend at least partially parallel to the running direction of the drone conveyor belts (2) and can be moved toward each other above the drone conveyor belts in a direction perpendicular to the running direction of the drone conveyor belts so that the sliding bars can slide a drone (6) standing on the landing surface, and a loading unit (5) comprising a lifting device (7) for cargo, the lifting device being arranged between the drone conveyor belts, wherein the drone (6) standing on the landing surface can be moved, by movement of the drone conveyor belts (2) and / or movement of the sliding bars (3), into a position in which the drone (6) can receive cargo arranged on the lifting device (7) (loading position).

The invention(s) include embodiments and applications of: a system for package handling, the system including: an aerial vehicle and a conveying subsystem configured to interface with the aerial vehicle. The system can execute operation modes, associated with loading and unloading of multiple packages, and delivering one or more packages to receiving sites.

The present invention relates to self-propelled airside dollies (100), and particularly but not exclusively to airside baggage dollies and airside cargo dollies, and autonomous airside dollies. The self-propelled airside dolly comprises a cargo portion (104) configured to hold baggage or cargo, a drive system (108) for driving the self-propelled airside dolly (100), a controller (114) configured to control the drive system (108) in response to control signals and a processor (116) configured to provide the control signals to the controller (114).

A method for automatically loading a carrying device in such a manner that pieces of luggage are in close proximity to each other and positioned one above the other, comprising the steps of:-placing pieces of luggage to be loaded in a first group or in a second group, the pieces of luggage of the first group having an enclosure wall at least largely made of a relatively hard material, the luggage pieces of the second group are provided with enclosing walls which are made of relatively soft materials at least to a great extent; -supplying the piece of luggage to be loaded to at least one transfer position belonging to the transfer station; and moving the piece of luggage to be loaded from one of the at least one transfer position to the carrying device by means of at least one manipulator belonging to the transfer station. In this case, a control unit of the transfer station controls the at least one manipulator on the basis of the placement of the pieces of luggage to be loaded, such that at least a bottom layer, a top layer and at least one intermediate layer between the bottom layer and the top layer are formed in the carrying device, each layer comprising a plurality of pieces of luggage placed in the same group, and each layer comprising a plurality of pieces of luggage placed in the same group. An intermediate layer has one layer both above and below it, and the pieces of luggage of the layer are placed in another group relative to the pieces of luggage of the intermediate layer.

A landing pad receives and stores packages delivered from an aerial vehicle or awaiting pickup from an aerial vehicle. The landing pad can be placed outside of a window and can contain a transmitter for sending out an identification signal via radio frequency to aid aerial vehicles in finding the landing pad. The landing pad contains a landing platform with a trapdoor that leads to a storage compartment. The trapdoor can be configured to only open when it receives a signal from an authorized aerial vehicle. The storage compartment can be accessed via a storage compartment door which can contain a locking mechanism. The storage compartment can be climate controlled. The landing pad can also have a transmitter that emits sounds to discourage animals from nesting on or near the landing pad. The landing pad can also include a solar power generator as a source of electrical energy.

A landing station can include a package manipulation system, an anchoring system, a climate control system, and / or a convertible storage locker. In some embodiments, a temperature control carrier is used with the landing station. In some embodiments, the package manipulation system includes at least one manipulation rail, at least one finger and / or a set of projections configured to raise and lower from said landing surface. In some embodiments, the landing station includes an elevator. In some embodiments, the landing station includes a lifting ring. In some embodiments, the landing station includes an air curtain blower.

The technology disclosed herein relates to a rooftop platform to facilitate a delivery of a parcel by an aerial vehicle. The rooftop platform may comprise an elevator apparatus at least partially accessible via the rooftop platform. The rooftop platform may also comprise a rotatable turntable mounted to the rooftop platform. The rotatable turntable can be rotated to position the parcel on the elevator apparatus. The rotatable turntable may have tracks for receiving track wheels of a parcel containment unit. In some embodiments, the parcel may be positioned on the elevator apparatus at a top surface of a lift cabin of the elevator apparatus. The rooftop platform may also comprise a landing area for the aerial vehicle to deliver or receive the parcel containment unit via the rotatable turntable.

The invention discloses an aviation food truck docking identification method and system based on feature fusion, and the method comprises the steps: obtaining multi-sensor data of an aviation food truck, extracting cabin door positioning information, and carrying out the feature fusion processing to form a docking-pose feature matrix; performing pattern recognition based on the pose feature matrix to obtain track feature parameters, recognizing a cabin door geometric feature spectrum, generating a cabin door inversion feature library through inversion processing, and performing differential comparison to determine space focus features; identifying a cabin door center position and an obstacle interference position by using a space focus feature, constructing a docking failure preset condition to generate a reverse verification factor, and forming a composite space weight map; acquiring a butt joint gradient information identification position deviation area based on the weight map, and converting the butt joint gradient information identification position deviation area into a path optimization trigger area through deviation conversion parameters; adjusting pose information is formed through the trigger area, a recognition coordinate system is constructed for collision conflict detection, a butt joint recognition result is generated, and safe and accurate butt joint of the aviation food truck and the aircraft cabin door is achieved.

An unmanned aerial vehicle according to certain embodiments generally includes a chassis, a power supply mounted to the chassis, a control system operable to receive power from the power supply, at least one rotor operable to generate lift under control of the control system, and a winch mounted to the chassis. The winch includes a reel and a motor. The reel has a line wound thereon, the line having a free end. The reel includes a circumferential channel in which a wound portion of the line is wound onto the reel. The circumferential channel includes an inner portion, an outer portion, and a passage connecting the inner portion and the outer portion. The motor is operable to rotate the reel under control of the control system to thereby cause the line to wind onto and off of the reel, thereby causing the free end of the line to raise and lower.

A kiosk for use an unmanned aerial system (UAS) delivery system is disclosed. In one embodiment, the kiosk includes an enclosure comprising at least one vertical wall having a secured entrance therethrough to prevent unauthorized persons from entering the enclosure, wherein an external appearance of the enclosure corresponds to a location of the kiosk; a landing zone for an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) of the UAS located within the enclosure, the landing zone comprising infrastructure from which the UAV can take off and on which the UAV can land; sensors for detecting an environment of at least one of the kiosk and the enclosure; and a guidance system for providing signals to the UAV to guide the UAV into the enclosure and onto the landing zone.

A drone delivery system hub and method for sending for take-off and receiving for landing unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). The drone delivery system hub includes a center shaft frame, a parcel-conveying system supported by the center shaft frame, structural arms coupled to and extending outward from the center shaft frame in a spoke-like configuration, drone-conveying systems each supported by one of the structural arms, and a linking conveyor span. The drone-conveying system conveys the UAVs along a length of a correspond one of the structural arms toward and away from the center shaft frame. The linking conveyor span selectably rotates to different orientations between different pairs of the structural arms, selectively conveying a UAV thereon between any two of the structural arms. The linking conveyor span is located above the parcel-conveying system such for the UAV thereon to deposit and retrieve parcels from the parcel-conveying system.

To provide a work vehicle that can reduce burdens on a worker and reduce a working time while performing work accurately.SOLUTION: A work vehicle is equipped with: a part 41 for loading cargoes on a vehicle provided on a chassis 2; a connection switching part 42 which is connected between the part 41 for loading cargoes on a vehicle and an airframe hatch 12 of an airplane 11 from which the cargoes are carried or to which the cargoes are carried, and which is used to switch cargoes; cameras 437a, 437b and 439 which are provided in the connection switching part 42 and which acquire data on surrounding object images; and a control part 220 that controls driving actuators 412, 443, 444 and 452 on the basis of acquired results by the cameras 437a, 437b and 439, so that the connection switching part 42 is moved relatively to the chassis 2. The control part 220 comprises an object image identification unit 221 having an object detection part 223 that detects an object from a distance image and a storing part 225 storing identifiers M1, M2 and M3 that are used by the object image detection part 223 in order to detect the airframe hatch 12.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

To provide a device of supporting safe and sure loading and unloading of aviation equipment to / from an aircraft.SOLUTION: An electrically assisted aviation equipment loading and unloading support device according to an embodiment is a device that supports loading and unloading of aviation equipment to / from an aircraft. This device includes a holding unit, a link mechanism, an electric actuator, a control unit, and a load sensor. The holding unit holds aviation equipment supportably. The link mechanism supports the holding unit vertically movably. The electric actuator drives the link mechanism to raise and lower the holding unit. The control unit controls the electric actuator. The load sensor detects a load applied to the holding unit. The control unit further includes an assist control part and a stop control part. The assist control part assists in raising and lowering the aviation equipment by supporting the holding unit with a supporting force corresponding to the load. The stop control part stops the raising or lowering of the aviation equipment when the holding unit reaches a predetermined height.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 15

A controller for a cargo handling system. The controller includes a touch screen display (412), a processor (446), and a memory operatively coupled to the processor. The memory includes instructions stored thereon that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to: present multiple cargo operating modes to an operator via the touch screen display; responsive to receiving a selection of a cargo operating mode from the multiple cargo operating modes, present a set of operations associated with the cargo operating mode to the operator; and, responsive to receiving a selection of at least one operation from the set of operations associated with the cargo operating mode, sending at least one command to the cargo handling system.

The invention discloses a departure baggage check-in control system based on machine vision, which can optimize and simplify a baggage check-in process, improve check-in efficiency, optimize airport operation and improve passenger experience. According to the technical scheme, the system comprises a user interface module used for providing an airport worker operation and monitoring interface; the visual acquisition module is used for monitoring the state of the luggage in the check-in process in real time and capturing images and videos of the luggage in the transportation process; the visual processing module is used for collecting and processing data from the visual acquisition module and the control module, identifying the state of the luggage through image processing and algorithm analysis, and tracking possible abnormal conditions of the luggage in the transportation process in real time; and the control module is used for controlling the corresponding belt conveyor to run and stop according to the result output by the visual processing module.

Systems, methods, and aircraft for managing center of gravity (CG) while transporting large cargo are described. Management of CG is achieved in many ways. In some instances, the aircraft itself is designed to assist in managing CG by providing fuel tanks that minimize the impact of fuel on the net CG of the aircraft. The fuel tanks utilize only a small amount of available volume in the wings for fuel. Disclosures related to properly managing CG while loading wind turbines onto cargo aircraft are also provided. The CG management techniques provided for herein allow for the transportation of wind turbine blades via aircraft, running counter to the typical rail or truck transportation of the same. One such management technique includes accounting for how a rotation of the blades when loading impacts the CG of the blades, and thus taking this into account when placing the blades in the aircraft.

The invention relates to a landing platform for a drone (6), comprising a landing surface comprising two conveyor belts (2) which are arranged parallel in the same horizontal plane and which are spaced apart such that a drone (6) standing on the landing surface can simultaneously have contact with both conveyor belts (drone conveyor belts), two sliding bars (3) which each extend at least partially parallel to the running direction of the drone conveyor belts (2) and can be moved toward each other above the drone conveyor belts in a direction perpendicular to the running direction of the drone conveyor belts so that the sliding bars can slide a drone (6) standing on the landing surface, and a loading unit (5) comprising a lifting device (7) for cargo, the lifting device being arranged between the drone conveyor belts, wherein the drone (6) standing on the landing surface can be moved, by movement of the drone conveyor belts (2) and / or movement of the sliding bars (3), into a position in which the drone (6) can receive cargo arranged on the lifting device (7) (loading position).

Certain exemplary embodiments can provide a receptacle constructed to receive deliveries from a drone. The receptacle can comprise an automatically openable lid; and a wireless receiver that is constructed to receive data concerning a delivery from the drone. The automatically openable lid can open to receive the delivery from the drone.

The present disclosure provides doorway protection assemblies with a base portion and two leg portions that can be positioned over and protect the exterior surrounding a doorway of a vehicle, such as an aircraft, from damage while cargo or other items are being loaded into or unloaded from the vehicle. Each assembly can include one or more attachment portions that wrap over and attach to the door sill area or side jambs of the vehicle doorway in order to secure the assembly in place. Each assembly can include a cushion layer between the various portions and the exterior of the aircraft to further avoid or reduce damage. Each assembly can include retention straps that releasably attach to anchors on the vehicle to further secure the assembly on the vehicle doorway.

A case for carrying loads by an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) comprises a first end comprising a first cap and a first opening and a second end comprising a second cap and a second opening, the second opening being smaller than the first opening. The case also comprises a rechargeable battery pack that, when the case is secured to the UAV, is configured to provide a power source for the UAV and the first cap and the second cap each comprising at least one metal connector for providing power to the UAV.

An example carriage is configured for mounting to an unmanned aerial vehicle. The carriage generally includes a housing assembly configured for mounting to the unmanned aerial vehicle, a movable grip mounted to the housing assembly for movement between a capturing position and a releasing position, a latch device, and a driver. The latch device has a latching state and an unlatching state, is configured to retain the movable grip in the capturing position when the latch device is in the latching state, and is configured to permit movement of the movable grip from the capturing position to the releasing position when in the unlatching state. The driver is operable to transition the latch device from the latching state to the unlatching state.

The utility model discloses a folding airport luggage trolley which structurally comprises a push plate, a push handle and universal wheels, a fixed rod can move outwards in a movable hole by pulling a pull buckle, a first spring is compressed by a stress plate in a push groove, the inner end of the fixed rod is moved out of a fixed groove, and the fixed rod is pushed by the universal wheels. A second placing plate can be turned over to the upper end of a first placing plate under the action of a hinge, then a second spring and a telescopic rod can be relatively moved and compressed through a thrust sliding block, so that an assembly rod on the outer side of a push rod is moved out of an assembly groove, and a push handle can be rotated and turned over to the second placing plate through a stress rotating wheel, so that the trolley is folded; by means of the structure, the storage box can be stored when not used, the use space is saved, assembly is easier and more convenient through the fixing mode of the plug pins, and the working efficiency is higher.

The utility model relates to the technical field of airport luggage traction, in particular to a luggage barrow traction system which comprises a tractor, a control center and at least one auxiliary device, the tractor is used for dragging a luggage barrow, and the auxiliary device is used for monitoring the environment conditions of the tractor and the periphery of the luggage barrow. The tractor, the control center and the at least one auxiliary device communicate with one another. The luggage barrow traction system is provided with at least one auxiliary device which is used for monitoring the environment conditions around the tractor and the luggage barrow, the tractor, the control center and the at least one auxiliary device communicate with each other, and the auxiliary device can enable the tractor and the luggage barrow to avoid obstacles. The luggage barrow is prevented from colliding with an obstacle in the traction process of the tractor, the traction and movement efficiency of the tractor on the luggage barrow is higher, in addition, after the auxiliary device is arranged, workers do not need to conduct on-site commanding, on-site accidents are reduced, and manpower is saved.

A conveyor system for transporting luggage or goods. The conveyor system includes: an extension conveyor disposed above the first carrier medium of the main conveyor; and a ramp for lifting the carrying medium upward to facilitate the luggage or cargo from the main conveyor to the extension conveyor.

The present disclosure provides doorway protection assemblies with a base portion and two leg portions that can be positioned over and protect the exterior surrounding a doorway of a vehicle, such as an aircraft, from damage while cargo or other items are being loaded into or unloaded from the vehicle. Each assembly can include one or more attachment portions that wrap over and attach to the door sill area or side jambs of the vehicle doorway in order to secure the assembly in place. Each assembly can include a cushion layer between the various portions and the exterior of the aircraft to further avoid or reduce damage. Each assembly can include retention straps that releasably attach to anchors on the vehicle to further secure the assembly on the vehicle doorway.

An unmanned aerial vehicle according to certain embodiments generally includes a chassis, a power supply mounted to the chassis, a control system operable to receive power from the power supply, at least one rotor operable to generate lift under control of the control system, and a winch mounted to the chassis. The winch includes a reel and a motor. The reel has a line wound thereon, the line having a free end. The reel includes a circumferential channel in which a wound portion of the line is wound onto the reel. The circumferential channel includes an inner portion, an outer portion, and a passage connecting the inner portion and the outer portion. The motor is operable to rotate the reel under control of the control system to thereby cause the line to wind onto and off of the reel, thereby causing the free end of the line to raise and lower.