Payload transport and delivery method, system and multi-platform unmanned cargo delivery vehicle

Abstract

A method of transporting cargo, a cargo transport system and an unmanned Wing In Ground Effect vessel (UWIG) for transporting the cargo. A wake up signal indicates assignment of a new delivery. The UWIG begins pre-flight, causes cargo to be transported to the UWIG, and causes the cargo loaded into UWIG storage compartments. Once loaded and the loaded UWIG is ready, the UWIG taxis, e.g., to the open sea. Environmentally sealed PAR thrust fans provide PAR thrust during takeoff. The UWIG flies to a delivery location where cargo is unloaded, and may be stored.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION[0001]The present application claims benefit to provisional U.S. Application Ser. No. 62 / 693,715 (Attorney Docket No. MRFS001-P), “WING-IN-GROUND-EFFECT (WIG) CRAFT,” filed Jul. 3, 2018, and incorporated herein by reference.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONField of the Invention[0002]The present invention is related to a cargo transport and delivery method, system and autonomous multi-platform unmanned delivery vehicle for the system, and more particularly, to transporting and delivering cargo with an unmanned Wing In Ground Effect (WIG) craft or vessel that may be autonomous or semi-autonomous.Background Description[0003]Overseas shipping is big business. Enormous cargo ships continually traverse shipping lanes in international waterways, carrying large shipments of goods enclosed in containers the size of railroad cars to distant destinations that take days to reach. Each container can hold a portion of a much larger shipment, can contain a single s...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The invention is a system for transporting people and goods over long distances without the risk of losing anyone. This is especially useful for medium-sized shipments.

Problems solved by technology

Enormous cargo ships continually traverse shipping lanes in international waterways, carrying large shipments of goods enclosed in containers the size of railroad cars to distant destinations that take days to reach.

Typically, someone shipping a small shipment may be unwilling to wait days or weeks.

Also, some cargo, such as food or other perishables, may not survive an extended shipping time.

While international airfreight may be a reasonable solution for letters and even for small packages, the cost may be excessive for larger shipments, shipments that may be a relatively small portion of a shipping container.

Further, DHL does not accept shipping pieces, skids or pallets with an actual weight that exceeds 6601b (300 kg) or a size that exceeds 118 in (300 cm) in length, width or height.

For both air and sea shipping, in addition to exposure to property loss from a potential maritime disaster, there is a potential for a loss of life.

A ship that sinks at sea may suffer the loss of the entire crew.

A cargo plane that goes down at sea may suffer the loss of one or both of the pilot and copilot.

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