Co-operative, modular, unmanned, vertical lift cargo vehicles

US9079662B1 · kind B1 · utility

Assignee

• The Boeing Company · US

Inventors

• Michael J. Duffy · Lansing, US
• John J. Mattero · Media, US
• Andrew J. Feit · Normal, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Oct 1, 2012
• Grant date: Jul 14, 2015
• Expiry date: Jun 21, 2033

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G05D2109/25
• WIPO field: Transport
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

A cargo lift system employs multiple unmanned lift vehicles acting as vertical lift generating machines. An autonomous control system controls coordinated movements of the cooperating unmanned vertical lift generating machines. A coupling system connects the cargo load to each of the plurality of unmanned vertical lift generating machines. The plurality of unmanned vertical lift generating machines are separated from each other by a distance through spacing by individual onboard flight computers in the lift generating machines or by rigid or semi-rigid connections between the lift generating machines.