Amazon Technologies, Inc.

Michael Rolnik

Brian C Beckman

Menashe Haskin

Yan Vule

Ricky Dean Welsh

Louis LeRoi LeGrand, Iii

Atishkumar Kalyan

Leon Robert Warman

Ethan Fitzgerald John

Yair E Gheva

Sandy Hefftz

Described is an unmanned aerial vehicle ('UAV') that includes a lifting propulsion mechanism that is circumferentially-driven and includes a propeller assembly and a propeller rim enclosure. The propeller assembly includes a plurality of propeller blades that extend radially and are coupled to an inner side of a substantially circular propeller rim that encompasses the propeller blades. Permanent magnets are coupled to an outer side of the propeller rim. The propeller rim and the magnets are positioned within a cavity of the propeller rim enclosure such that the propeller rim will rotate within the propeller rim enclosure. Also within the cavity of the propeller rim enclosure are electromagnets that are used to cause the propeller rim to rotate.

Circumferentially-driven propulsion mechanism

A system may implement a flexible architecture to allow designers and testers to use a single flexible system for testing during a transition from a computer simulated model to a physical working prototype via a bus (or protocol). As hardware components become available, the system may be updated to enable replacing a simulated component with a physical hardware component while continuing to leverage at least some existing parts of the system (e.g., software and/or hardware components including simulation). The system may use customizable application program interfaces (APIs) to interface with the different components, simulated or physical. The APIs may enable components to be 'plugged in' to the system to create a different configuration. In some embodiments, API's and/or other simulation data may be stored in a library to enable reuse or modifications at different times.

Pluggable hardware simulation test execution system

A package launch system can be implemented to propel a package from an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) in a generally vertically descent trajectory, while the UAV is in motion. The package launch system can apply the force onto the package in a number of different ways. For example, flywheels, coils, and springs can generate the force that establishes the vertical descent path of the package. Further, the package delivery system can also monitor the package during its vertical descent. The package can be equipped with one or more control surfaces. Instructions can be transmitted from the UAV via an RF module that cause the one or more controls surfaces to alter the vertical descent path of the package to avoid obstructions or to regain a stable orientation.

Maneuvering a package following in-flight release from an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV)

Techniques for using an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) to deliver a payload while generating an expected sound by the UAV during delivery may be provided. For example, during delivery or while in flight, propellers of different sizes that are associated with the UAV may be instructed to modulate at different rotational speeds to thereby generate an expected sound.

Drone noise reduction via simultaneous propeller modulation

Techniques for using an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) to deliver a payload while reducing and/or altering sound generated by the UAV during delivery may be provided. For example, during delivery, the UAV may be instructed to utilize one or more sets of propellers of different sizes to reduce and/or alter the sound generated by and/or around the UAV. Intrinsic and extrinsic information associated with the UAV may be utilized to dynamically adjust the particular sets of propellers of a certain and different size to utilize during different portions of a flight path while delivering the payload.

Drone noise reduction

Propeller sound alteration for a drone

A package delivery system can be implemented to forcefully propel a package from an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), while the UAV is in motion. The UAV can apply a force onto the package that alters its descent trajectory from a parabolic path to a vertical descent path. The package delivery system can apply the force onto the package in a number of different ways. For example, pneumatic actuators, electromagnets, spring coils, and parachutes can generate the force that establishes the vertical descent path of the package. Further, the package delivery system can also monitor the package during its vertical descent. The package can be equipped with one or more control surfaces. Instructions can be transmitted from the UAV via an RF module that cause the one or more controls surfaces to alter the vertical descent path of the package to avoid obstructions or to regain a stable orientation.

Growing community of inventors

Geva Binyamin, Israel

Michael Rolnik