Systems and methods utilizing nanotechnology insulation materials in limiting temperature changes during product delivery

• US 10,474,982 B2
• Filed: 10/04/2017
• Issued: 11/12/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 10/04/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Walmart Apollo, LLC (WalMart Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Walmart Apollo, LLC (WalMart Inc.)
• Inventors: Winkle, David C., McHale, Brian G., High, Donald R., Mattingly, Todd D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Do, Truc M
• Application Number:
  US15/724,583
• Publication Number:
  US 20180096294A1
• Time in Patent Office: 769 Days
• Field of Search: None
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 39/024 of the remote controlled vehicle type, i.e. RPV
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 10/13 Flying platforms
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 20/60 UAVs characterised by the material
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 20/90 Cooling
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 2101/60 for transporting passengers; for transporting goods other than weapons
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 2101/64 for parcel delivery or retrieval
• 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 30/20 Rotors; Rotor supports
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 50/13 using external fans or propellers
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 50/19 using electrically powered motors
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 81/18 providing specific environment for contents, e.g. temperature above or below ambient with thermal insulation B65D81/38; ice-boxes with cooling means F25D
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 81/3823 formed of different materials, e.g. laminated or foam filling between walls
• CPC Class Codes: B82Y 30/00 Nanotechnology for materials or surface science, e.g. nanocomposites
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/0832 Special goods or special handling procedures, e.g. handling of hazardous or fragile goods
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 5/0069 specially adapted for an unmanned aircraft

Abstract

In some embodiments, systems and methods are provided that limit the change in temperature and/or control a temperature of a product during delivery. Some embodiments provide systems comprising an unmanned delivery vehicle (UDV) comprising: a body comprising a nanotechnology insulation material, wherein the nanotechnology insulation material comprises material having been manipulated at a molecular level during the macroscale fabrication of the nanotechnology insulation material to enhance insulation effectiveness; at least one propulsion system; a control circuit coupled with the at least one propulsion system to control the operation of the at least one propulsion system and control a direction of travel of the UDV, wherein the body physically supports the propulsion system and the control circuit; and a product cavity defined within the body and configured to receive at least one product while the at least one product is transported by the UDV to a delivery location.

Claims

1. A system to limit temperature changes of a product during transit, comprising:

an unmanned delivery vehicle comprising;

a body comprising a nanotechnology insulation material, wherein the nanotechnology insulation material comprises material having been manipulated at a molecular level during a macroscale fabrication of the nanotechnology insulation material to enhance insulation effectiveness;

at least one propulsion system configured to induce movement of the unmanned delivery vehicle;

a control circuit coupled with the at least one propulsion system to control an operation of the at least one propulsion system and control a direction of travel of the unmanned delivery vehicle, wherein the body physically supports the propulsion system and the control circuit;

a product cavity defined within the body and configured to receive at least one product while the at least one product is transported by the unmanned delivery vehicle to a delivery location; and

a primary active temperature control system comprising a temperature control circuit and a reservoir of coolant, wherein the temperature control circuit limits temperature change within the product cavity through a controlled release from the reservoir of the coolant based on a temperature threshold of a first product being carried within the product cavity;

wherein the nanotechnology insulation material comprises a secondary temperature control system distinct from the primary active temperature control system.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the body further comprises a rigid exterior shell positioned adjacent to the nanotechnology insulation material and defining an exterior surface of the body at least about the product cavity such that the nanotechnology insulation material is between the exterior shell and the product cavity.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein at least some of the nanotechnology insulation material is applied to adhere to one or more interior surfaces of the exterior shell.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the nanotechnology insulation material applied to adhere to the interior surface of the exterior shell comprises one or more layers of nanotechnology insulation material painted onto the one or more interior surfaces of the exterior shell.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the body is constructed from the nanotechnology insulation material wherein the nanotechnology material comprises a rigid material forming walls of the body defining at least lateral boundaries of the product cavity.

6. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

a temperature control selection system configured to obtain the temperature threshold of the first product to be delivered, obtain a predicted duration of transport, identify a method of transporting the first product to the delivery location, and select from multiple different types of temperature control systems the unmanned delivery vehicle that is consistent with the method of transport and as a function of the temperature threshold, the predicted duration of transport and an insulation factor provided by the nanotechnology insulation material.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the unmanned delivery vehicle comprises an unmanned aircraft system (UAS) with the body forming a part of a fuselage of the UAS, wherein the UAS is configured to secure and lift at least one product positioned within the product cavity while the UAS transports the first product by air to the delivery location.

8. A method of limiting temperature changes of a product during transit, comprising:

identifying a first product to be delivered to a delivery location;

directing a loading of the first product into a product cavity defined within a body of an unmanned delivery vehicle, wherein the body comprises a nanotechnology insulation material, wherein the nanotechnology material comprises material having been manipulated at a molecular level during a macroscale fabrication of the nanotechnology insulation material to enhance insulation effectiveness;

causing the activation of at least one propulsion system, which is physically supported by the body, of the unmanned delivery vehicle to induce movement of the unmanned delivery vehicle with a control circuit controlling an operation of the at least one propulsion system and a direction of travel of the unmanned delivery vehicle;

activating a primary active temperature control system limiting temperature change within the product cavity; and

controlling a release of coolant from a reservoir of the primary active temperature control system based on a temperature threshold of the first product being carried within the product cavity;

wherein the nanotechnology insulation material comprises a secondary temperature control system distinct from the primary active temperature control system.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the directing the loading of the first product comprises directing the loading of the first product into the product cavity of the body comprising a rigid exterior shell positioned adjacent to the nanotechnology insulation material and defining an exterior surface of the body at least about the product cavity such that the nanotechnology insulation material is between the exterior shell and the product cavity.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein at least some of the nanotechnology insulation material is applied to adhere to one or more interior surfaces of the exterior shell.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the nanotechnology insulation material applied to adhere to the interior surface of the exterior shell comprises one or more layers of nanotechnology insulation material painted onto the one or more interior surfaces of the exterior shell.

12. The method of claim 8, wherein the directing the loading of the first product comprises directing the loading of the first product into the product cavity of the unmanned delivery vehicle having the body constructed from the nanotechnology insulation material comprising a rigid material forming walls of the body defining at least lateral boundaries of the product cavity.

13. The method of claim 8, further comprising:

obtaining the temperature threshold of the first product to be delivered;

obtaining a predicted duration of transport;

identifying a method of transporting the first product to the delivery location; and

selecting from multiple different types of temperature control systems the unmanned delivery vehicle that is consistent with the method of transport and as a function of the temperature threshold, the predicted duration of transport and an insulation factor provided by the nanotechnology insulation material.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the selecting the unmanned delivery vehicle comprises selecting an unmanned aircraft system (UAS) with the body forming a part of a fuselage of the UAS, wherein the UAS is configured to secure and lift at least one product positioned within the product cavity while the UAS transports the first product by air to the delivery location.