Transfer station for transferring containers between unmanned aerial vehicles and unmanned ground vehicle
First Claim
1. A transfer station for transferring containers between an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) and an unmanned ground vehicle (UGV), the transfer station comprising:
- a housing defining an inner space, the housing comprising a front passage that connects the inner space with an outer environment for the passage of a UGV, and a top passage that connects the inner space with an outer environment for passage of a container;
an upward funnel within the inner space of the housing, the upward funnel comprising a chute having a lower enlarged inlet and an upper contracted outlet, the upper contracted outlet being dimensioned to communicate with the top passage of the housing for passage of a container;
a downward funnel supported above the housing, the downward funnel comprising a chute having an upper enlarged inlet and a lower contracted outlet, the lower contracted outlet being dimensioned to communicate with the top passage of the housing for passage of a container;
an actuator system configured for, selectively, engaging a container with a UAV suspension system and disengaging a container from a UAV suspension system.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A transfer station includes a housing defining an inner space, and having a front passage for passage of a UGV and a top passage for passage of a container. One or more funnels are provided at the top passage for guiding the passage of containers therethrough, and an actuator system is provided for, selectively, engaging a container with a UAV suspension system and disengaging a container from a UAV suspension system. Also provided is a transfer system that is inclusive of the transfer station, a UAV, a UGV, and a reusable container; and methods of transferring reusable containers between UAVs and UGVs.
48 Citations
18 Claims
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1. A transfer station for transferring containers between an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) and an unmanned ground vehicle (UGV), the transfer station comprising:
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a housing defining an inner space, the housing comprising a front passage that connects the inner space with an outer environment for the passage of a UGV, and a top passage that connects the inner space with an outer environment for passage of a container; an upward funnel within the inner space of the housing, the upward funnel comprising a chute having a lower enlarged inlet and an upper contracted outlet, the upper contracted outlet being dimensioned to communicate with the top passage of the housing for passage of a container; a downward funnel supported above the housing, the downward funnel comprising a chute having an upper enlarged inlet and a lower contracted outlet, the lower contracted outlet being dimensioned to communicate with the top passage of the housing for passage of a container; an actuator system configured for, selectively, engaging a container with a UAV suspension system and disengaging a container from a UAV suspension system. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification