4846results about "Ground installations" patented technology

A base module may be used to receive and house one or more unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) via one or more cavities. The base module receives commands from a manager device and identifies a flight plan that allows a UAV to execute the received commands. The base module transfers the flight plan to the UAV and frees the UAV. Once the UAV returns, the base module once again receives it. The base module then receives sensor data from the UAV from one or more sensors onboard the UAV, and optionally receives additional information describing its flight and identifying success or failure of the flight plan. The base module transmits the sensor data and optionally the additional information to a storage medium locally or remotely accessible by the manager device.

Systems and methods are provided for integrated control, access, and presentation of flight information within the cockpit. Cockpit instrument systems and methods are provided which include a first cockpit instrument panel which has a first display proximately located to a first bezel. The first display is operable to present navigational data, communication data, and flight information data including airspeed, attitude, and altitude. The systems and methods further include a second cockpit instrument panel located adjacent to the first cockpit instrument panel. The second cockpit instrument panel has a second display proximately located to a second bezel. The second display is operable to present navigational data, communication data, and flight information data including detailed engine parameters. When either the first or the second cockpit instrument panel fails, the remaining functional, first or second display, is adapted to provide all of the important flight information data, including airspeed, attitude, altitude, and detailed engine parameters.

Methods and associated systems for autonomous package delivery utilize a UAS/UAV, an infrared positioning senor, and a docking station integrated with a package delivery vehicle. The UAS/UAV accepts a package for delivery from the docking station on the delivery vehicle and uploads the delivery destination. The UAS/UAV autonomously launches from its docked position on the delivery vehicle. The UAS/UAV autonomously flies to the delivery destination by means of GPS navigation. The UAS/UAV is guided in final delivery by means of a human supervised live video feed from the UAS/UAV. The UAS/UAV is assisted in the descent and delivery of the parcel by precision sensors and if necessary by means of remote human control. The UAS/UAV autonomously returns to the delivery vehicle by means of GPS navigation and precision sensors. The UAS/UAV autonomously docks with the delivery vehicle for recharging and preparation for the next delivery sequence.

Systems and methods are provided for integrated control, access, and presentation of flight information within the cockpit. Cockpit instrument systems and methods are provided which include a first cockpit instrument panel which has a first display proximately located to a first bezel. The first display is operable to present navigational data, communication data, and flight information data including airspeed, attitude, and altitude. The systems and methods further include a second cockpit instrument panel located adjacent to the first cockpit instrument panel. The second cockpit instrument panel has a second display proximately located to a second bezel. The second display is operable to present navigational data, communication data, and flight information data including detailed engine parameters. When either the first or the second cockpit instrument panel fails, the remaining functional, first or second display, is adapted to provide all of the important flight information data, including airspeed, attitude, altitude, and detailed engine parameters.

The Unmanned Aircraft Systems ground support platform is a portable, multifunctional apparatus to accommodate UAS (Drone, UAV) landings, takeoffs, idle time, maintenance, retail merchandise product display and package delivery support within the UAS recreational and business industry. The Unmanned Aircraft Systems ground support platform will provide stability and cleanliness of a Unmanned Aerial Vehicle. Ownership identification is intergraded into the base platform.

An unmanned aerial vehicle delivery system utilizes an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) to deliver packages between an initiation point and multiple delivery points at a raised elevation. The UAV flies between points in an organized manner, using logistical, maintenance and safety software, commands from a delivery organization, and guidance tools to coordinate deliveries. One advantage of the system is that the UAV engages the delivery points at a raised elevation, rather than the ground level. The UAV docks through an elevated structure at the delivery point for delivering the package and replenishing a power source. The package is conveyed from a docking end and through a central shaft of the elevated structure by means of an elevator. The package then travels to a lower structure, such as a house or office, for pickup. After completion of the delivery, the UAV replenishes its power source and/or continues on the delivery route.

A system, method, and computer program product assist a technician in troubleshooting an aircraft auxiliary power unit (APU). A portable computer is couplable of download the fault data captured in a memory of the ECU. The fault data corresponds to one or more instances of APU failure. The computer is further programmed to compare the fault data to predetermined fault patterns stored in a database. Each record of the database has one of the fault patterns, a corresponding fault indication, and a corresponding service recommendation indication. The computer is further programmed so that when a record in which the fault pattern matches the fault data is found, the corresponding fault indication and service recommendation are retrieved from the database and provided to the technician via the computer's display or other suitable output mechanism.

A flight data recorder designed for small aircraft captures various onboard flight data in real-time and stores it in non-volatile memory. Recorded data includes aircraft's instantaneous position, altitude, attitude, engine RPM, G forces, flap position, cockpit voice and others. These data are obtained from various sensors which are integrated into the recorder. At the end of a flight the recorded data is downloaded into a computer using a wireless communications data transceiver also integrated into the recorder. It is an inexpensive system that does not require interfacing to any of the aircraft's instruments. It does not require removal or attaching any equipment to be able to download data. In addition to accident investigation, applications include training, preventive maintenance and asset monitoring.

The present invention relates to the management, on board an aircraft, of the aeronautical digital telecommunications networks ACARS and ATN. It covers a method for automatic choice of the transmission sub-network of the ACARS or ATN networks which is most appropriate for the exchange of digital messages with the ground, taking account of the capabilities of the equipment of the aircraft, of that existing on the ground in the area overflown, of the costs and of the reliabilities of the possible links, and of the preferences of the pilot, of his airline and of the control services. This method consists principally in the creation and updating of a database containing information: costs, performance levels, security/reliability, aircraft configuration, availabilities of the communications sub-networks as well as the stipulations by the pilot, by his airline and by the control services, and in the automatic selection of a communications mode via a sub-network of the ACARS or ATN networks, taking into account an order of preference established on the basis of criteria based on the information contained in the database (342).

A radio frequency identification (RFID) system includes an antenna located so that when baggage is being loaded on a vehicle, the antenna is capable of detecting information transmitted from at least one identity RFID tag located on the vehicle as well as information transmitted from a baggage RFID tag located on an item being loaded on or unloaded from the vehicle (though not necessarily simultaneously). A computer system is configured to compare the information transmitted from the identity RFID tag with expected vehicle information for the item loaded on or unloaded from the vehicle. An alarm condition may be generated if the results of the comparison indicate that the item is loaded on a vehicle other than that which was expected. The computer system may also provide notification to passengers or others regarding successful loading of the item on the vehicle. Similar processes may be used during unloading operations.

An automated aircraft towing vehicle system for use with aircraft is provided. When coupled to an aircraft the towing tractor vehicle facilitates the movement of the aircraft without the requirement for use of the aircraft's jet engines. The towing vehicle system comprises a towing tractor vehicle having remotely controllable steering, braking, and acceleration. The remote system controller is located in the aircraft being towed such that the pilot of the aircraft being towed is capable of controlling the starting, stopping and steering of the towing tractor vehicle. The towing tractor vehicle further includes a remotely controllable de-coupling means. When the aircraft is towed to the desired location, the decoupling of the aircraft from the towing tractor vehicle is controllable by the remote system controller.

An inspection system includes a passenger identity verification system, a passenger screening system, and a computer coupled to the passenger verification system and the passenger screening system, the computer configured to receive information from the passenger verification system and operate the passenger screening system based on the information.

A system for starting a gas turbine engine of an aircraft is provided. The system includes a pneumatic starter motor, a discrete starter valve switchable between an on-state and an off-state, and a controller operable to perform a starting sequence for the gas turbine engine. The starting sequence includes alternating on and off commands to an electromechanical device coupled to the discrete starter valve to achieve a partially open position of the discrete starter valve to control a flow from a starter air supply to the pneumatic starter motor to drive rotation of a starting spool of the gas turbine engine below an engine idle speed.

A combined systems user interface (CUI) may be configured with an advanced technology screening checkpoint (ATSC), which is a passenger-friendly, high performance system for screening passengers and carry-on items to detect assembled bombs, bomb components, metallic and non-metallic weapons, and other contraband items. The CUI may include a baggage, passenger, and secondary screening status regions. The baggage screening status region displays screening information generated by an explosives screening system and a baggage imaging system, while the passenger screening status region displays screening information generated by an explosives detection portal and a metal detection portal. In some implementations, a secondary screening status region displays screening information generated by a body scanning system and an enhanced explosives screening system.

The invention discloses a battery automatic replacement system of a small-sized multi-rotor-wing unmanned aerial vehicle. The battery automatic replacement system comprises a multi-track trolley, a battery storage disk, an unmanned aerial vehicle landing gear, a landing gear fixing plate, a landing gear fixing plate support, a battery storage disk support and a mechanical arm, wherein the landing gear fixing plate is arranged above the multi-track trolley, and is fixedly connected with the multi-track trolley through the landing gear fixing plate support; the unmanned aerial vehicle landing gear is arranged above the landing gear fixing plate; a battery inlet matched with the size of a battery is formed in the center of the fixing plate; the battery storage disk is arranged below the landing gear fixing plate, and is fixedly connected with the multi-track trolley through the battery storage disk support; and the mechanical arm is arranged below the battery storage disk. The battery automatic replacement system adopts a turntable type battery storage bin, so that five times of battery replacement can be performed at most through one step; and the battery automatic replacement system adopts a blind plugging type battery installation mode to achieve effects of convenience, fastness and high efficiency.

An object taking-out apparatus for taking out objects randomly stacked in a container according to a condition of how each object is placed, which includes a robot hand having telescopic means and a coupling member whose one ends are connected to a robot arm end, and holding means coupled to their other ends. The telescopic means expands and contracts to cause the holding means to assume either a first orientation where a small angle is formed or a second orientation where a large angle is formed between a holding direction axis of the holding means and a rotary axis of the robot arm end, thereby taking out objects without causing interaction between the robot and the container.

A security checkpoint includes a personal scanning portal, a parcel scanning portal and a controller for ensuring substantially simultaneous scanning of a person and the parcel associated with the person. The controller also adjusts the level of scrutiny at each portal based on scanned data received at the other portal and based on information in a database relating to the specific person at the security checkpoint.

A method and a corresponding system for assisting the passage of an entity (10) through successive zones (Zn to z1) to a destination (40) are provided. The method includes the steps of: associating an identifier with the entity; creating a plurality of required incidents for the entity, each required incident having a place reference and a time reference associated with it, the required incidents including a final incident for which the place reference is the destination and the time reference is a predetermined time; at intervals, detecting the presence of the entity in one of said zones and the time of said presence, thereby generating a match; registering correspondences between the matches thus-generated and said required incidents; and generating an alert for the entity when the time reference for a required incident is reached and that incident does not have a corresponding match. The method operates on a pull system whereby earlier events are driven by the requirements of future events. The method allows preventative action to be taken before delays occur and can adjust to deal with variations in local conditions. A preferred embodiment is implemented in a transport hub, where the entities may be passengers, crew or luggage.