System and method for payload management for unmanned aircraft
First Claim
1. A payload management system for an unmanned aircraft system providing an unmanned aircraft to carry payload comprising at least one payload segment on a mission, the payload management system comprising:
- (a) a carrier for payload carried by the unmanned aircraft;
(b) a containment system to contain the payload;
wherein the containment system comprises an inflatable pod attachable to and removable from the carrier by insertion of a head portion of the inflatable pod into a receptacle in the carrier and inflation of the inflatable pod to expand the head portion to prevent removal of the inflatable pod from the receptacle until the inflatable pod is at least partially deflated; and
wherein the inflatable pod of the containment system is attachable to the exterior to of the unmanned aircraft and aerodynamic characteristics of a body of the pod outside of the receptacle and exterior to the unmanned aircraft are adjustable by selective inflation and deflation of the pod.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system and method for payload management for an unmanned aircraft system is disclosed. The payload management system and method may comprise a containment system configured to contain payload carried by the UAV/aircraft. The UAV/aircraft may be configured to carry payload in an external pod as part of the containment system. The pod carried by the UAV/craft may be fillable/inflatable to contain payload and facilitate aerodynamic performance of the UAV/craft carrying payload (e.g. on a mission from originator to destination for delivery in operating conditions). Systems and methods may provide managing and monitoring for payload carried by UAV/aircraft (e.g. with instrumentation).
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Citations
23 Claims
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1. A payload management system for an unmanned aircraft system providing an unmanned aircraft to carry payload comprising at least one payload segment on a mission, the payload management system comprising:
- (a) a carrier for payload carried by the unmanned aircraft;
(b) a containment system to contain the payload;
wherein the containment system comprises an inflatable pod attachable to and removable from the carrier by insertion of a head portion of the inflatable pod into a receptacle in the carrier and inflation of the inflatable pod to expand the head portion to prevent removal of the inflatable pod from the receptacle until the inflatable pod is at least partially deflated; and
wherein the inflatable pod of the containment system is attachable to the exterior to of the unmanned aircraft and aerodynamic characteristics of a body of the pod outside of the receptacle and exterior to the unmanned aircraft are adjustable by selective inflation and deflation of the pod. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
- (a) a carrier for payload carried by the unmanned aircraft;
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6. A payload management system for an unmanned aircraft system providing an unmanned aircraft to carry payload comprising at least one payload segment on a mission, the payload management system comprising:
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(a) a carrier for payload carried by the unmanned aircraft; (b) a containment system to contain the payload; wherein the containment system comprises a fillable pod carried by the carrier at least partially exterior to the unmanned aircraft; wherein the fillable pod includes a head portion that is insertable into a receptacle in the carrier and fillable to expand the head portion to prevent removal of the fillable pod from the receptacle while the fillable pod remains filled; and wherein a body portion of the fillable pod comprises at least one compartment for the payload, and wherein the body portion of the fillable pod is fillable to an aerodynamic form exterior to the unmanned aircraft after the payload is received within the pod. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A payload management system for an unmanned aircraft system providing an unmanned aircraft to carry payload comprising at least one payload segment on a mission, the payload management system comprising:
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a carrier for payload carried by the unmanned aircraft; a containment system providing a pod comprising at least one container for the payload; wherein the pod is attachable to the carrier by insertion of a head portion of the pod into a receptacle in the carrier and inflation of the pod to expand the head portion to prevent removal of the pod from the receptacle until the pod is at least partially deflated; and wherein a body portion of the pod is at least partially inflatable to an aerodynamic form exterior to the unmanned aircraft to provide containment for the payload carried at least partially external to the unmanned aircraft. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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Specification