Modular air delivery
US9348333B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 8, 2014 |
| Grant date | May 24, 2016 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 14, 2035 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB64U2201/20
- WIPO fieldControl
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Aspects of modular airborne delivery are described. When a shipping container is provided to an airborne carrier for delivery, the airborne carrier may assess weather across a route for airborne delivery of the shipping container, evaluate an approach to drop the shipping container at a delivery zone, and calculate a remaining amount of time until a target delivery time, for example. The airborne carrier may then select components to assemble a modular unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) based on those or other factors, and assemble the UAV using the selected components. The modular UAV may then be directed to deliver the shipping container according to instructions from the airborne carrier. According to the concepts described herein, flexibility and other advantages may be achieved using modular UAVs for airborne delivery.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.