Standardized container payload delivery and control system

• US 6,665,582 B1
• Filed: 03/20/2002
• Issued: 12/16/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 03/20/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: the united states of america as represented by the secretary of the navy
• Original Assignee: the united states of america as represented by the secretary of the navy
• Inventors: Moritz, Elan, Portmann, Helmut
• Primary Examiner(s): Tran, Khoi H.
• Application Number:
  US10/101,094
• Time in Patent Office: 636 Days
• Field of Search: 700/213
• US Class Current: 700/213
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2590/0083 Computer or electronic system, e.g. GPS systems
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 90/00 Component parts, details or accessories for large containers B65D88/34 - B65D88/78 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 90/22 Safety features floating covers B65D88/34; arrangements of indicating or measuring devices B65D90/48; fire-fighting A62C
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/18 Military applications
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/08 Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management

Abstract

An unmanned system is provided for the delivery and control of an operational payload. A standardized shipping container houses the operational payload. Mounted in the shipping container are a controller for controlling functions of the operational payload and a communication module providing for communication with the operational payload via the controller.

Claims

1. An unmanned system for the delivery and control of an operational payload, comprising:

a standardized shipping container for housing the operational payload;

a controller mounted in said shipping container and coupled to the operational payload for controlling functions of the operational payload; and

communication means mounted in said shipping container and coupled to said controller for communicating with the operational payload via said controller.

2. An unmanned system as in claim 1 wherein said shipping container is an ISO shipping container.

3. An unmanned system as in claim 1 further comprising means, mounted in said shipping container and coupled to said controller and the operational payload, for automated manipulation of the operational payload within said shipping container as dictated by instructions provided by said controller.

4. An unmanned system as in claim 1 further comprising means, coupled to said controller and said shipping container, for automatically opening said shipping container as dictated by instructions provided by said controller to permit dispensing of at least a portion of the operational payload.

5. An unmanned system as in claim 4 wherein said means is coupled to a side of said shipping container and wherein said side can be opened and closed.

6. An unmanned system as in claim 4 wherein said means is coupled to a bottom portion of said shipping container and wherein said bottom portion can be opened and closed.

7. An unmanned system as in claim 4 wherein said means is coupled to a top portion of said shipping container and wherein said top portion can be opened and closed.

8. An unmanned system as in claim 1 further comprising armor coupled to at least a portion of said shipping container for protecting said shipping container from strikes by projectiles.

9. An unmanned system as in claim 1 wherein said controller is pre-programmed to autonomously control said functions of the operational payload.

10. An unmanned system as in claim 1 wherein said controller is programmable in real time by remotely-sent instructions received by said communication means.

11. An unmanned system as in claim 1 wherein said communication means is a wireless transceiver for communicating with a remote location.

12. An unmanned system as in claim 1 further comprising means, mounted in said shipping container and coupled to said controller, for autonomously establishing a global position of said shipping container.

13. An unmanned system as in claim 12 wherein said means is selected from the group consisting of a GPS system and an inertial navigation system.

14. An unmanned system as in claim 1 further comprising propulsion means coupled to said shipping container and said controller, wherein said shipping container can be maneuvered under control of said controller.

15. An unmanned system as in claim 1 further comprising means coupled to said shipping container for placing said shipping container in a preferred orientation when said shipping container is released into a fluid environment.

16. An unmanned system as in claim 1 further comprising means mounted on the outside of said shipping container for facilitating handling thereof.

17. An unmanned system as in claim 1 further comprising means mounted on the outside of said shipping container for facilitating connection with an adjacent shipping container.

18. An unmanned system as in claim 1 wherein said shipping container is waterproof.

19. An unmanned system as in claim 1 wherein said shipping container incorporates EMI shielding.

20. An unmanned system as in claim 1 further comprising means coupled to said shipping container for mitigating shock forces experienced by said shipping container.

21. An unmanned system as in claim 1 further comprising means coupled to said shipping container for controlling climatic conditions within said shipping container.

22. An unmanned system for the delivery and control of an operational payload, comprising:

a standardized shipping container for housing the operational payload, said shipping container having exterior features for facilitating handling thereof;

a controller mounted in said shipping container and coupled to the operational payload for controlling functions of the operational payload and for monitoring status of the operational payload; and

a wireless communications transceiver mounted in said shipping container and coupled to said controller for communicating with the operational payload via said controller, for transmitting said status to a remote location, and for receiving instructions from said remote location wherein said instructions are used by said controller in controlling said functions of the operational payload.

23. An unmanned system as in claim 22 wherein said shipping container is an ISO shipping container.

24. An unmanned system as in claim 22 further comprising means, mounted in said shipping container and coupled to said controller and the operational payload, for automated manipulation of the operational payload within said shipping container as dictated by instructions provided by said controller.

25. An unmanned system as in claim 22 further comprising means, coupled to said controller and said shipping container, for automatically opening said shipping container as dictated by instructions provided by said controller to permit dispensing of at least a portion of the operational payload.

26. An unmanned system as in claim 25 wherein said means is coupled to a side of said shipping container and wherein said side can be opened and closed.

27. An unmanned system as in claim 25 wherein said means is coupled to a bottom portion of said shipping container and wherein said bottom portion can be opened and closed.

28. An unmanned system as in claim 25 wherein said means is coupled to a top portion of said shipping container and wherein said top portion can be opened and closed.

29. An unmanned system as in claim 22 further comprising armor coupled to at least a portion of said shipping container for protecting said shipping container from strikes by projectiles.

30. An unmanned system as in claim 22 further comprising means, mounted in said shipping container and coupled to said controller, for autonomously establishing a global position of said shipping container.

31. An unmanned system as in claim 30 wherein said means is selected from the group consisting of a GPS system and an inertial navigation system.

32. An unmanned system as in claim 22 further comprising propulsion means coupled to said shipping container and said controller, wherein said shipping container can be maneuvered under control of said controller.

33. An unmanned system as in claim 22 further comprising means coupled to said shipping container for placing said shipping container in a preferred orientation when said shipping container is released into a fluid environment.

34. An unmanned system as in claim 22 further comprising means mounted on the outside of said shipping container for facilitating connection with an adjacent shipping container.

35. An unmanned system as in claim 22 wherein said shipping container is waterproof.

36. An unmanned system as in claim 22 wherein said shipping container incorporates EMI shielding.

37. An unmanned system as in claim 22 further comprising means coupled to said shipping container for mitigating shock forces experienced by said shipping container.

38. An unmanned system as in claim 22 further comprising means coupled to said shipping container for controlling climatic conditions within said shipping container.