Inflatable packaging for use with UAV

• US 10,131,428 B1
• Filed: 02/18/2016
• Issued: 11/20/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 02/18/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Wing Aviation LLC (Alphabet Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Wing Aviation LLC (Alphabet Inc.)
• Inventors: Sopper, Clark, Woodworth, Adam
• Primary Examiner(s): Stashick, Anthony
• Assistant Examiner(s): Impink, Mollie
• Application Number:
  US15/046,830
• Time in Patent Office: 1,006 Days
• Field of Search: 206522, 2441374, 53472
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 1/08 the articles being load-carrying devices
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 10/14 with four distinct rotor axes, e.g. quadcopters
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 10/20 Vertical take-off and landing [VTOL] aircraft flying platforms B64U10/13; helicopters B64U10/17
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 2101/30 for imaging, photography or videography
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 2101/55 for life-saving or rescue operations; for medical use
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 2101/60 for transporting passengers; for transporting goods other than weapons
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 2101/67 the UAVs comprising tethers for lowering the goods
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 2201/10 autonomous, i.e. by navigating independently from ground or air stations, e.g. by using inertial navigation systems [INS]
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 2201/102 adapted for flying in formations
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 2201/104 using satellite radio beacon positioning systems, e.g. GPS
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 2201/20 Remote controls
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 30/20 Rotors; Rotor supports
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 30/299 Rotor guards ducted or shrouded rotors B64U30/26; guards used as ground propulsion B64U60/60
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 50/19 using electrically powered motors
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 50/30 Supply or distribution of electrical power
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 70/10 for releasing or capturing UAVs by hand
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 65/466 Bio- or photodegradable packaging materials
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 77/225 Pressure relief-valves incorporated in a container wall, e.g. valves comprising at least one elastic element
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 81/052 filled with fluid, e.g. inflatable elements
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 81/3888 wrappers or flexible containers, e.g. pouches, bags for shock absorbing purposes B65D81/03
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/0832 : Special goods or special handling procedures, e.g. handling of hazardous or fragile goods
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 5/0004 : Transmission of traffic-related information to or from an aircraft airborne radio transmission systems in general H04B7/185; airborne wireless networks H04W84/06
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 5/0013 : with a ground station
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 5/0017 : Arrangements for implementing traffic-related aircraft activities, e.g. arrangements for generating, displaying, acquiring or managing traffic information head-up displays G02B27/01; ground or aircraft-carrier-deck-installations B64F
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 5/0021 : located in the aircraft
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 5/0026 : located on the ground
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 5/0069 : specially adapted for an unmanned aircraft

Abstract

An inflatable package enclosure for use on an aerial vehicle including an inflatable exterior chamber, a first inner cavity positioned within the inflatable exterior chamber, an inflation valve positioned on the inflatable exterior chamber, and a handle on the inflatable exterior chamber for securing the inflatable package enclosure to the aerial vehicle, wherein when the inflatable exterior chamber is inflated and when a package is positioned in the first inner cavity, inner surfaces of the inflatable exterior chamber conform to outer surfaces of the package to secure the package within the inflatable exterior chamber.

Claims

1. An inflatable package enclosure for use on an aerial vehicle, the inflatable package enclosure comprising:

an inflatable exterior chamber;

an inner cavity positioned within the inflatable exterior chamber; and

an inflation valve positioned on the inflatable exterior chamber;

wherein when the inflatable exterior chamber is inflated and when a package is positioned in the inner cavity, inner surfaces of the inflatable exterior chamber conform to outer surfaces of the package to secure the package within the inflatable exterior chamber;

wherein air is capable of being channeled through an air duct in the aerial vehicle when the inflatable package enclosure is secured to the aerial vehicle, as the aerial vehicle moves through the air; and

wherein the air duct is in communication with the inflation valve as the aerial vehicle moves through the air to provide active pressurization of the inflatable exterior chamber.

2. The inflatable package enclosure of claim 1, further including a passive bleeder valve such that when air pressure within the inflatable exterior chamber exceeds a predetermined level, air is allowed to escape the inflatable exterior chamber through the passive bleeder valve to control the air pressure.

3. The inflatable package enclosure of claim 1, wherein the inflatable exterior chamber includes a plurality of separate sections.

4. The inflatable package enclosure of claim 1, wherein the inflatable exterior chamber includes a plurality of cavities.

5. The inflatable package enclosure of claim 1, wherein a cross-section of the inflatable exterior chamber, when inflated, has a rounded shape.

6. The inflatable package enclosure of claim 1, wherein an outer surface of the inflatable exterior chamber has a rounded shape that reduces drag on the exterior chamber.

7. The inflatable package enclosure of claim 1, wherein air within the inflatable exterior chamber provides thermal insulation to a package when the package is positioned within the inflatable exterior chamber.

8. The inflatable package enclosure of claim 1, wherein air within the inflatable exterior chamber provides impact protection to a package when the package is positioned within the inflatable exterior chamber.

9. The inflatable package enclosure of claim 1, wherein a layer of fabric is positioned over an outer surface of the inflatable exterior chamber.

10. The inflatable package enclosure of claim 9, wherein the fabric comprises ripstop nylon.

11. The inflatable package enclosure of claim 1, wherein a handle on the inflatable package enclosure is secured to the aerial vehicle, such the aerial vehicle moves through the air with the inflatable package enclosure secured to the aerial vehicle via the handle.

12. The inflatable package enclosure of claim 1, wherein a handle on the inflatable package enclosure is adapted for use as an end user carrying handle by an end user at a delivery site.

13. The inflatable package enclosure of claim 1, wherein the inflatable exterior chamber comprises a biodegradable material.

14. The inflatable package enclosure of claim 1, wherein an exterior pocket is positioned on an outer surface of the inflatable exterior chamber.

15. The inflatable package enclosure of claim 14, wherein the exterior pocket contains one or more of a package content information document, a tracking device, an RFID tag, a moisture meter, and an impact meter.

16. The inflatable package enclosure of claim 1, wherein the inflatable exterior chamber includes an opening where a package may be inserted into the inner cavity.

17. A method of securing a package for delivery with an aerial vehicle, comprising the steps of:

providing an inflatable package enclosure comprising;

an inflatable exterior chamber;

a first inner cavity positioned within the inflatable exterior chamber; and

an inflation valve positioned on the inflatable exterior chamber;

wherein when the inflatable exterior chamber is inflated and when a package is positioned in the first inner cavity, inner surfaces of the inflatable exterior chamber conform to outer surfaces of the package to secure the package within the inflatable exterior chamber;

wherein air is channeled through an air duct in the aerial vehicle as the aerial vehicle moves through the air; and

wherein the air duct is in communication with the inflation valve as the aerial vehicle moves through the air to provide active pressurization of the inflatable exterior chamber;

positioning a package to be delivered within the first inner cavity;

inflating the inflatable exterior chamber such that inner surfaces of the inflatable exterior chamber conform to outer surfaces of the package to be delivered;

securing the inflatable package enclosure to the aerial vehicle; and

delivering the package with the aerial vehicle.

18. The method of claim 17, further including a step of automatically releasing the inflatable package enclosure when the aerial vehicle lands on a ground surface or reaches a predetermined distance from the ground surface.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein the inflatable package enclosure is secured beneath a center of lift of the aerial vehicle.

20. The method of claim 17, wherein the inflatable exterior chamber has a cross-section shaped as an air foil when the inflatable exterior chamber is inflated.