AeroVironment, Inc.

A payload delivery device configured to deliver an aircraft deployed payload along a flight path to a predetermined landing destination includes a support member configured to be removably attached to the payload, a flight control and navigation system module configured to control orientation of the plurality of control surfaces while the payload is travelling along the flight path to the predetermined landing destination, a control surface assembly module including a plurality of control surfaces, a rotor assembly including a plurality of rotor blades having a central axis of rotation, and a collective control assembly module including at least one collective servomotor configured to control a plurality of control linkages connected to the plurality of rotor blades.

Systems, devices, and methods for an aircraft autopilot guidance control system for guiding an aircraft having a body, the system comprising: a processor configured to determine if a yaw angle difference and a pitch angle difference meet corresponding angle thresholds; a skid-to-turn module configured to generate a skid-to-turn signal if the corresponding angle thresholds are met; a bank-to-turn module configured to generate a bank-to-turn signal having a lower bandwidth than the generated skid-to-turn signal; a rudder integrator module configured to add a rudder integrator feedback signal to the bank-to-turn signal, where the rudder integrator feedback signal is proportional to a rudder integrator; and a filter module configured to filter the generated bank-to-turn signal, wherein the filter module comprises a low-pass filter configured by a set of gains to pass the bank-to-turn signal if a side force on the body meets a side force threshold.

A motor assembly that includes a motor having a motor casing, a rotatable shaft extending from the motor casing to a shaft length and a hub coupled to the rotatable shaft, the hub having a circumferential skid surface disposed immediately proximal to the motor casing and having a channel configured to seat a propeller, when a propeller is present, wherein a bending moment applied to the shaft through the hub results in the circumferential skid surface contacting the motor casing.

A payload delivery device configured to deliver an aircraft deployed payload along a flight path to a predetermined landing destination includes a support member configured to be removably attached to the payload, a flight control and navigation system module configured to control orientation of the plurality of control surfaces while the payload is travelling along the flight path to the predetermined landing destination, a control surface assembly module including a plurality of control surfaces, a rotor assembly including a plurality of rotor blades having a central axis of rotation, and a collective control assembly module including at least one collective servomotor configured to control a plurality of control linkages connected to the plurality of rotor blades.

An aircraft apparatus is disclosed that has a fuselage; and a wing coupled to the fuselage, where the wing comprises a port outboard wing section and a starboard outboard wing section; where each of the port outboard wing section and the starboard outboard wing section comprise at least one of: curved leading edges of varying radii and curved trailing edges of varying radii.

Systems, devices, and methods for an aircraft having a fuselage; a wing extending from both sides of the fuselage; a first pair of motors disposed at a first end of the wing; and a second pair of motors disposed at a second end of the wing; where each motor is angled to provide a component of thrust by a propeller attached thereto that for a desired aircraft movement applies a resulting torque additive to the resulting torque created by rotating the propellers.

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 package. For example, an aerial vehicle may be an airplane or helicopter that remains at altitude with a package stowed for deployment. As the mothership travels in the vicinity of the designated location the 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 package disengages the mothership. As the 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 package may contain a net, airbag, parachute or similar device to provide a suitably soft landing suitable for commercial home delivery.

Systems, devices, and methods for identifying a target aerial vehicle, deploying an interceptor aerial vehicle comprising at least one effector, maneuvering the interceptor aerial vehicle to a position to engage a target aerial vehicle, deploying the at least one effector to intercept the target aerial vehicle, and confirming that the target aerial vehicle has been intercepted.

A system comprising an aerial vehicle or an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) configured to control pitch, roll, and/or yaw via airfoils having resiliently mounted trailing edges opposed by fuselage-house deflecting actuator horns. Embodiments include one or more rudder elements which may be rotatably attached and actuated by an effector member disposed within the fuselage housing and extendible in part to engage the one or more rudder elements.

Systems, devices, and methods for a safety system including: selecting an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) command on a controller, the controller comprising a first processor with addressable memory; presenting a first activator and a second activator on a display of the controller for the selected UAV command, wherein the second activator is a slider, and sending the UAV command to a UAV if the first activator and the second activator are selected, the UAV comprising a second processor with addressable memory.