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

• US 20190318296A1
• Filed: 10/13/2017
• Published: 10/17/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 10/13/2017
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Aerovironment
• Original Assignee: Dash Systems, Inc.
• Inventors: Ifill, Joel Nathan
• Granted Patent: US 10,671,960 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• 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 the ground from an aerial vehicle, including:

cargo to be delivered; and

an outer delivery package configured to house said cargo; and

a flight controller located inside said aerial vehicle; and

a designated landing site.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein said outer delivery package includes deflectable surfaces capable of altering the flight path of said outer delivery package.

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

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

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

wherein said aerodynamic features may be deployed upon launch from said aerial vehicle.

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

6. The system of claim 1 wherein said aerial vehicle includes a sensor pod with two-way communication and sensors which provide communication between said aerial vehicle and said outer delivery package.

7. The system of claim 1 wherein said designated landing includes site 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 released via an automatic trigger when the aerial vehicle reaches a pre-determined spot.

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

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

12. A method for delivering goods to the ground from an aerial vehicle including the steps of:

Inserting the cargo to be delivered into an outer delivery package;

storing said outer delivery package in an aerial vehicle;

programming a desired landing location into memory onboard said aerial vehicle;

releasing said outer delivery package from said aerial vehicle;

deploying aerodynamic features on said outer delivery package;

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

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

13. The method of claim 12 wherein the outer delivery package follows a vertical trajectory from launch to the ground.

14. The method of claim 12 wherein said designated landing spot includes site material configured into an energy absorbing crushable impact zone.

15. The method of claim 12 wherein said delivery package is cushioned by an airbag on landing.

16. The method of claim 12 wherein said aerial vehicle and said outer delivery package are in communication after said outer delivery package has been launched from said aerial vehicle.