United Parcel Service of America, Inc.

Other

Julio Gil

Jeffrey Kay Cooper

Julian Leland Bell

Thomas Ramsager

Mallory Freeman

Juan R Perez

Bala Ganesh

Youngjun Choi

Jared Nauert

Seth Bruckner

Andrew Cooper

Jeff Walp

Ethan Prescott Hill

Jonathan Embry

Jeff Luckett

Fredric Michael Lopez

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.

Payload container with power supply for unmanned systems

Systems, methods, and apparatuses for selectively shifting and staging storage structures in a storage space are provided. Systems, methods, and apparatuses for dynamically organizing packages based on a travel route are also provided. In embodiments, a plurality of parcels may be stored on storage structures located within a vehicle and each storage structure may be provided in a modular assembly. During a delivery operation, the system may determine which parcels are next to be delivered and, either based on predetermined information or dynamic information, may adjust the position of the storage structures within the vehicle using shifting mechanisms and control systems coupled thereto to present the appropriate parcel for retrieval from the vehicle.

Systems, methods, and apparatuses for shifting and staging storage structures and parcels thereon

Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to systems and methods for autonomously performing and/or facilitating drone diagnostic functions. Prior to a mission of a UAV, an inspection station comprising at least one imaging sensor and at least one directional force sensor may be used to perform a plurality of air worthiness inspections and/or maintenance checks with little to no human intervention. Once the UAV has been determined to be air worthy, it is approved for a subsequent mission.

Autonomous drone diagnosis

A modular unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) system comprises a body module, a rotor module, and a wing module. The body module includes a flight controller and a power distribution device. The body module is releasably attachable to the rotor module or the wing module, and the body module is releasably attachable to the rotor module. The rotor module includes one or more motors and electronic speed controllers (ESCs), while the wing module includes a wing having a flap, elevator, aileron, or rudder. Various UAV configurations can be formed from the body module, the rotor module, and the wing module. Each configuration includes different advantages for flight time, distance, battery life, and payload capacity. A UAV can be configured to a particular configuration to optimize parcel delivery.

Modular unmanned aerial vehicle system for adaptable parcel delivery

Loading, securing, transporting, and/or depositing objects as well as systems, methods, and apparatuses for the same, including those that operate in automated or semi-automated fashion, are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a mobile robotic platform is provided. The mobile robotic platform is designed to receive, transport, and deposit objects at desired destinations. In another embodiment, a flat transport surface, e.g., a pallet, is provided. The flat transport surface is designed to facilitate efficient loading, transport, and deposit of objects, e.g., between automated or semi-automated handling systems, in one aspect. In another embodiment, a system for handling objects is provided. The system is designed to support automated or semi-automated loading and/or unloading of objects, e.g., onto or from a mobile robotic platform, and may be implemented in a vehicle, in one aspect.

Systems, methods, and apparatuses for loading, securing, transporting, and depositing objects

Detecting, locating, identifying, engaging, and/or shifting objects in automated or semi-automated fashion as well as methods, systems, apparatuses, and computer-program products therefor. Embodiments used for shifting objects in automated or semi-automated fashion may be implemented in stationary environments, and/or in moving, e.g., in-transit, environments, and may be used to transfer, route, and/or organize objects based on their designated destinations. The embodiments may further be implemented in a logistics network, thereby increasing the efficiency and capacity of the logistics network, among other benefits.

Locating, identifying, and shifting objects in automated or semi-automated fashion including during transit

A multiple hoist system is used with an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) for delivering parcels. An example of the multiple hoist system comprises two or more hoists that are independently operable, meaning that a first hoist can lower or raise a first line independently of using a second hoist to raise or lower a second line. The hoists can independently raise and lower their associated lines to allow the UAV to deliver multiple parcels to multiple delivery locations, or the hoists can synchronously raise and lower the associated lines together so that larger parcels can be delivered using the UAV. The hoists can be comprised within a body of the multiple hoist system. The body can further include a securing device for releasably securing the multiple hoist system to the UAV.

Parcel delivery system and methods using rail system for unmanned aerial vehicles

An intelligent container system is provided that accommodates a variety of sizes and shapes of parcels, and that allows the parcels to be dispensed from the container one at a time, in any order. The container system has an open face, such as the bottom. A first panel cooperates with a second panel to selectively close the open bottom, and to selectively open the bottom below a desired parcel, allowing the parcel to be individually dispensed when desired. The container system has a plurality of dividers that can be moved along the length of the container to create a series of compartments that match the sizes of the parcels within the compartments. A position sensing system is used to determine the location of the dividers, and thus the location of the compartments.

Container to facilitate selective delivery of parcels

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.

Drone delivery system hub for facilitating parcel delivery by unmanned aerial vehicles

A landing gear system that can be used with unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) retrieves and releases canisters suitable for delivering items. To do so, the landing gear comprises a first leg and a second leg. The first landing leg and the second landing leg are rotationally engages at a first leg connection end and a second leg connection end. A tensioning member applies a rotational force about the engagement location, biasing the first leg toward the second leg. Each of the first and second legs can include a curved portion. A UAV comprising the landing gear can be lowered over a canister, and the canister is secured in place within the curved portions of the legs. To release, the landing legs are rotated against the bias, which can be facilitated by landing the UAV and placing the rotors into a reverse thrust.

Unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) landing gear system for holding delivery canisters

Aspects herein are directed to a clamp having a linkage coupled to a first end of a first and second clamp member. Based on applying a first directional force to the linkage, the linkage generates a force that moves the second ends of the first and second clamp member towards one another, thereby biasing the clamp to the closed position. The clamp secures a strap when the clamp is in the closed position and releases the strap when the clamp is in an open position.

Automatic release clamp

A pneumatic delivery system is used to facilitate delivery of canisters comprising delivery payloads by unmanned systems, such as unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). The pneumatic delivery system comprises a tube having a channel within a tube wall, where a canister is configured to move through the tube. The tube comprises a tube opening and a transfer mechanism proximate the tube opening. The transfer mechanism engages a canister having a payload that is moved within the tube. The transfer mechanism moves the canister through the tube opening by extending from a first transfer position to a second transfer position. At the second transfer position, the transfer mechanism orients the tube and releases it to a UAV for delivery.

Pneumatic delivery system and method for use with unmanned vehicle systems

Disclosed herein are systems, methods, and apparatuses for locating, engaging, and shifting objects. The systems may be used to unload objects from a storage space, e.g., inside a vehicle or facility, including one associated with a logistics network operation. The systems disclosed herein may operate in automated or semi-automated fashion, e.g., at the direction of a control system associated with a computing device. The systems may further utilize shifter mechanisms that each include one or more belt-driven mechanisms and position-changing mechanisms that facilitate the locating, engaging, and shifting of objects in a storage space. The components of these systems may operate independently, or in coordination, thereby increasing the efficiency of an object-handling operation.

Systems, methods, and apparatuses for locating, engaging, and shifting objects in automated or semi-automated fashion

Embodiments provide shelves, bracket systems, automated picker robots, totes, and other features that may be used with delivery vehicle configurations that have automated cargo areas. A delivery vehicle may include a picking robot that selectively retrieves packages for delivery without requiring substantial human intervention for locating those packages. The cargo area of the delivery vehicle may further comprise a plurality of customizable shelving units that generate custom-sized shelves for packages. The shelves may include a plurality of individually movable shelf brackets having retaining members that pivot between an extended and retracted position to hold the package in place and to enable the picking robot to retrieve the package from the shelf. Another embodiment provides for a tote having a drive mechanism to hold letters so that a letter may be automatically retrieved from the cargo arear and provided at a delivery location.

Automated package transport vehicle

Loading, shifting, and staging objects in automated or semi-automated fashion including systems, methods, and apparatuses for the same. The embodiments hereof enable automated and/or semi-automated loading, shifting, organizing, staging, and accessing of objects in different environments, e.g., those associated with a logistics network operation. For example, one such environment is a vehicle. In one aspect, a loading mechanism is used to load objects into a storage space of the vehicle. In another aspect, a shifting mechanism is used to shift objects in a storage space of the vehicle. In another aspect, a door assembly allows for automated opening and closing of a door into a storage space of a vehicle. In addition, methods of manufacturing and using the same are provided.

Growing community of inventors

Veldhoven, Netherlands

Julio Gil