Precision automated air-to-ground delivery system and related methods
OwnerChristopher Kyle Turnerinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The present invention provides a unique system to deliver packages from aerial vehicles to the ground through the use of a sophisticated guidance system and impact-absorbing catching mechanism. The new systems and methods of the present invention provide package delivery from manned and unmanned aircraft that is fully automated and reliably accurate to deliver a package to a ground station operable to receive the package in the catching mechanism.
Claims20
A method for using an aerial vehicle to deliver a package, comprising:
- a. performing a path calculation to provide a predetermined parabolic fall trajectory for an aerial package delivery vessel from a position of an aerial vehicle to hit a ground-based target, wherein said aerial package delivery vessel is without propulsion and has at least one flight control structure operable to adjust said parabolic flight trajectory path;
- b. releasing the aerial package delivery vessel on said parabolic fall trajectory path from said aerial vehicle;
- c. transmitting an electromagnetic signal from said ground-based target for the aerial package delivery vessel, said signal providing at least a beacon signal from said ground-based target;
- and
- d. catching at least a portion of said aerial package delivery vessel in a fall arresting mechanism at said ground-based target, wherein said fall arresting mechanism is operable to dissipate and absorb the aerial package delivery vessel's kinetic energy.
A method for using an aerial vehicle to deliver a package, comprising:
- a. providing a predetermined fall trajectory path calculation for an aerial package delivery vessel from a position of an aerial vehicle;
- b. releasing the aerial package delivery vessel on said fall trajectory path from said aerial vehicle;
- c. transmitting an electromagnetic signal from a ground-based target to the aerial package delivery vessel, said signal providing at least a beacon signal from said ground-based target;
- d. determining if said aerial package delivery vessel fall trajectory has deviated from said beacon signal from said ground-based target;
- and
- e. adjusting said aerial package delivery vessel fall trajectory path to direct at least a portion of said vessel into a fall arresting mechanism at said ground-based target, wherein said fall arresting mechanism is operable to dissipate kinetic energy from said package delivery vessel.
A method for using an aerial vehicle to deliver a package, comprising:
- a. providing a predetermined parabolic fall trajectory path to a package homing sensor from a calculation by a computer on an aerial vehicle, said parabolic fall trajectory path calculation is based on a position and horizontal velocity of said aerial vehicle relative to a ground-based target;
- b. releasing the package on said fall trajectory path from said aerial vehicle;
- c. transmitting a homing beacon signal from said ground-based target to said package homing sensor to measure a fall trajectory;
- d. adjusting the parabolic fall trajectory path of said package by controlling at least one onboard flight control surface in response to said homing beacon signal;
- and
- e. catching at least a portion of the package in a fall arresting mechanism at said ground-based target.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.