System and method for performing precision guided air to ground package delivery

• US 10,671,960 B2
• Filed: 10/13/2017
• Issued: 06/02/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 10/13/2017
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Aerovironment
• Original Assignee: Dash Systems, Inc.
• Inventors: Ifill, Joel Nathan, Caravella, Jr., Joseph R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Tai T
• Application Number:
  US15/782,853
• Publication Number:
  US 20190318296A1
• Time in Patent Office: 963 Days
• Field of Search: 3405391
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 1/02 Dropping, ejecting, or releasing articles jettisonable fuel reservoirs B64D37/12
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 1/08 the articles being load-carrying devices
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 10/10 Rotorcrafts
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 10/13 Flying platforms
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 10/25 Fixed-wing aircraft VTOL aircraft B64U10/20
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 2101/60 for transporting passengers; for transporting goods other than weapons
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 2101/69 the UAVs provided with means for airdropping goods, e.g. deploying a parachute during descent
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 2201/20 Remote controls
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/20 Instruments for performing navigational calculations G01C21/24, G01C21/26 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/101 specially adapted for aircraft
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/105 specially adapted for unpowered flight, e.g. glider, parachuting, forced landing parachutes per se B64D17/00
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/083 Shipping
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 17/02 using a radio link

Abstract

Described is a method of delivery for cargo or goods from an aerial vehicle (mothership) to a designated ground delivery location via the use of a direct air shipping (DASH) package. For example an aerial vehicle may be an airplane or helicopter that remains at altitude with a DASH packaged stowed for deployment. As the mothership travels in the vicinity of the designated location the DASH package flight control computer (flight controller) calculates a preferred travel trajectory based upon the aerodynamic properties of the package and location relative to the designated delivery location such as a small delivery pad located on a patio of a home. When the mothership transits through a calculated release point the DASH package disengages the mothership. As the DASH package descends it may increase accuracy relative to the designated delivery location by altering aerodynamic properties to maintain the preferred travel trajectory and decreasing landing zone size requirements and increasing precision of delivery. To reduce the impact force at landing the designated delivery location and/or the DASH package may contain a net, airbag, parachute or similar device to provide a suitably soft landing suitable for commercial home delivery.

Claims

1. A system for delivering goods to a ground from an aerial vehicle, including:

an outer delivery package configured to house a cargo, said cargo to be delivered;

a tail kit section coupled to said outer delivery package and configured to be on top of said outer delivery package during a flight path of said outer delivery package from said aerial vehicle to said ground;

a flight controller mounted in said tail kit section and configured to determine parameters related to at least one said outer delivery package or a designated landing site; and

a nose section coupled to said outer delivery package, wherein the nose section is configured to be;

underneath said outer delivery package during said flight path of said outer delivery package from said aerial vehicle to said ground; and

compressed upon a landing of said outer delivery package.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein said outer delivery package includes deflectable surfaces configured to alter said flight path of said outer delivery package.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein said outer delivery package includes location sensors configured to communicate with said aerial vehicle.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein said outer delivery package includes aerodynamic features wherein:

said aerodynamic features are configured to be in a retracted position when said outer delivery package is not in flight; and

said aerodynamic features are configured to be deployed upon launch from said aerial vehicle.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein said flight controller is programmed with a location of said designated landing site.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein said flight controller is configured to communicate with said aerial vehicle, and said aerial vehicle includes a sensor pod with two-way communication and sensors.

7. The system of claim 1 wherein said outer delivery package is configured to land at said designated landing site, and said designated landing site includes a material configured into an energy absorbing crushable impact zone.

8. The system of claim 1 wherein said outer delivery package includes an inflatable airbag.

9. The system of claim 1 wherein said outer delivery package is configured to be released via an automatic trigger when said aerial vehicle reaches a pre-determined spot.

10. The system of claim 1 wherein said outer delivery package is configured to be released manually when said aerial vehicle reaches a pre-determined spot.

11. The system of claim 1 wherein said outer delivery package is configured to have a vertical trajectory from a time of release to a time of landing.

12. The system of claim 1 wherein:

said outer delivery package is configured to be disposed after a landing of said outer delivery package; and

said tail kit section is configured to be recoverable after said landing of said outer delivery package.

13. A method for delivering goods to a ground from an aerial vehicle comprising:

inserting a cargo to be delivered into an outer delivery package;

storing said outer delivery package in an said aerial vehicle;

programming a designated landing spot into a memory onboard said aerial vehicle;

releasing said outer delivery package from said aerial vehicle, said outer delivery packing having a tail kit section configured to be on top during a flight path of said outer delivery package from said aerial vehicle to said ground, a flight controller mounted in said tail kit section, and a nose section coupled to said outer delivery package;

deploying aerodynamic features on said outer delivery package;

controlling a direction of said outer delivery package while in flight; and

allowing said outer delivery package to land at said designated landing spot;

wherein the nose section is configured to be;

underneath said outer delivery package during said flight path of said outer delivery package from said aerial vehicle to said ground; and

compressed upon a landing of said outer delivery package.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein said outer delivery package follows a vertical trajectory from launch to said ground.

15. The method of claim 13 wherein said designated landing spot includes a material configured into an energy absorbing crushable impact zone.

16. The method of claim 13 wherein said outer delivery package is cushioned by an airbag on landing.

17. The method of claim 13 further comprising establishing communications between said aerial vehicle and said outer delivery package after said outer delivery package has been launched from said aerial vehicle.

18. The method of claim 13, wherein said flight path of said outer delivery package resembles a flight path of a shuttlecock.

19. The method of claim 13, wherein said releasing comprises releasing said outer delivery package from said aerial vehicle without regard for a height of said aerial vehicle above said ground.