Patent · US12100853B2 · B2 · US

Pneumatic delivery system and method for use with unmanned vehicle systems

(11) Publication number

US12100853B2

(21) Application number

17/711,733

(22) Filing date

2022-04-01

(30) Priority date

2021-04-06

(43) Publication date

2024-09-24

(45) Date of grant

2024-09-24

(51) IPC

B64C 25/34; B64C 39/02; B64D 1/12; B64D 1/22; B64D 9/00; B64F 1/32; B64U 10/13; B64U 101/60; B64U 30/20; B64U 50/39; B65G 51/26; F15B 15/20; H01M 50/249

(52) CPC

H01M Processes or means, e.g. batteries, for the direct conversion of chemical energy into electrical energy: 50/249, 2220/20, 50/548
B64C Aeroplanes; helicopters: 2211/00, 25/34, 39/024
B64D Equipment for fitting in or to aircraft; flight suits; parachutes; arrangement or mounting of power plants or propulsion transmissions in aircraft: 1/12, 1/22, 9/00
B64F Ground or aircraft-carrier-deck installations specially adapted for use in connection with aircraft; designing, manufacturing, assembling, cleaning, maintaining or repairing aircraft, not otherwise provided for; handling, transporting, testing or inspecting aircraft components, not otherwise provided for: 1/32
B64U Unmanned aerial vehicles [uav]; equipment therefor: 10/13, 2101/60, 2101/64, 30/20, 50/39, 60/00
B65G Transport or storage devices, e.g. conveyors for loading or tipping, shop conveyor systems or pneumatic tube conveyors: 51/26
F15B Systems acting by means of fluids in general; fluid-pressure actuators, e.g. servomotors; details of fluid-pressure systems, not otherwise provided for: 15/20

(73) Assignee

United Parcel Service of America Inc

(72) Inventors

Julio Gil; Julian Bell; Jared Nauert

(54) Title

Pneumatic delivery system and method for use with unmanned vehicle systems

(57) Abstract

A pneumatic delivery system is used to facilitate delivery of canisters comprising delivery payloads by unmanned systems, such as unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). The pneumatic delivery system comprises a tube having a channel within a tube wall, where a canister is configured to move through the tube. The tube comprises a tube opening and a transfer mechanism proximate the tube opening. The transfer mechanism engages a canister having a payload that is moved within the tube. The transfer mechanism moves the canister through the tube opening by extending from a first transfer position to a second transfer position. At the second transfer position, the transfer mechanism orients the tube and releases it to a UAV for delivery.

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Claims (20)

A pneumatic delivery system comprising: a tube comprising a tube wall and a channel extended within the tube wall, wherein the tube is configured to move a canister through the channel; a tube opening within the tube wall; a transfer mechanism movable between a first transfer position and a second transfer position, the transfer mechanism operable to engage the canister at least one of the first transfer position or the second transfer position, wherein the transfer mechanism moves the engaged canister through the tube opening between the first transfer position and the second transfer position; and a landing area comprising a landing area opening extending through the landing area, the landing area opening aligned with the tube opening.
The pneumatic delivery system of claim 1, wherein the transfer mechanism is at least partially recessed within the tube wall in the first transfer position.
The pneumatic delivery system of claim 1, wherein the transfer mechanism extends through the tube wall in the first transfer position.
The pneumatic delivery system of claim 1, wherein the transfer mechanism comprises one or more transfer arms pivotably coupled to a transfer shaft.
The pneumatic delivery system of claim 4, wherein the one or more transfer arms are positioned within the channel when the transfer mechanism is in the first transfer position.
The pneumatic delivery system of claim 4, wherein at least a portion of the one or more transfer arms is positioned external to the tube wall when the transfer mechanism is in the second transfer position.
The pneumatic delivery system of claim 4, wherein the transfer arms are formed into an arc.
The pneumatic delivery system of claim 1, further comprising a cover, the cover movable between a first cover position at least partially covering the tube opening and a second cover position that at least partially exposes the tube opening.
The pneumatic delivery system of claim 1, further comprising a housing, the housing enclosing at least a portion of the tube comprising the tube opening, the housing comprising a movable section having a first housing position and a second housing position, the first housing position enclosing the landing area within the housing and the second housing position exposing the landing area.
The pneumatic delivery system of claim 1, further comprising a canister funnel, the canister funnel having a first canister funnel end with a first canister funnel end opening and a second canister funnel end with a second canister funnel end opening, the second canister funnel end opening being relatively smaller than the first canister funnel end opening, the second canister funnel end opening aligned with the tube opening.
The pneumatic delivery system of claim 10, wherein the first canister funnel end opening is aligned with the landing area opening of the landing area.
A method comprising: moving a canister through a tube comprising a tube wall and a channel extending within the tube wall; positioning the canister proximate a tube opening within the tube wall; engaging the canister with a transfer mechanism when the transfer mechanism is at a first position; moving the transfer mechanism from the first position to a second position, wherein the canister is at least partially positioned external from the tube wall and a landing area opening extending through a landing area that is aligned with the tube opening when the transfer mechanism is in the second position; and releasing the canister from the transfer mechanism when the canister is at least partially positioned external from the tube wall and the landing area opening.
The method of claim 12, wherein the transfer mechanism comprises a first transfer arm and a second transfer arm, and engaging the canister is performed when the canister is positioned between the first transfer arm and the second transfer arm.
The method of claim 12, further comprising moving a cover from a first cover position that covers the tube opening to a second cover position that exposes the tube opening.
The method of claim 12, further comprising rotating the canister from a first orientation to a second orientation using the transfer mechanism.
A pneumatic delivery system comprising: a tube comprising a tube wall and a channel extended within the tube wall, wherein the tube is configured to move a canister through the channel; a tube opening within the tube wall; a transfer mechanism movable between a first transfer position and a second transfer position, the transfer mechanism operable to engage the canister at least one of the first transfer position or the second transfer position, wherein the transfer mechanism moves the engaged canister through the tube opening between the first transfer position and the second transfer position; and a canister funnel, the canister funnel having a first canister funnel end with a first canister funnel end opening and a second canister funnel end with a second canister funnel end opening, wherein the second canister funnel end opening is smaller than the first canister funnel end opening, and the second canister funnel end opening is aligned with the tube opening.
The pneumatic delivery system of claim 16, wherein the transfer mechanism is at least partially recessed within the tube wall in the first transfer position.
The pneumatic delivery system of claim 16, wherein the transfer mechanism extends through the tube wall in the first transfer position.
The pneumatic delivery system of claim 16, wherein the transfer mechanism comprises one or more transfer arms pivotably coupled to a transfer shaft.
The pneumatic delivery system of claim 16, further comprising a cover, the cover movable between a first cover position at least partially covering the tube opening and a second cover position that at least partially exposes the tube opening.

Description

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) are used to deliver goods. Some logistics companies have recently started to commercially deliver parcels using UAVs, sometimes referred to as “drones” for short. The majority of deliveries performed by UAVs include relatively small, light parcels.

One current use case for UAV delivery involves delivering critical medical supplies or lab samples. UAVs have significantly reduced the delivery time historically experienced through traditional delivery methods. This has resulted in the faster processing of lab samples and more rapid deployment of critical medical supplies during emergencies.

At a high level, the disclosed technology relates to pneumatic delivery systems that can be used by unmanned systems to transfer canisters containing delivery payloads.

In particular, the technology provides for a pneumatic delivery system that can move a canister to a position where it can be picked up using an unmanned system, such as a UAV. The canister is generally configured to enclose a payload that can then be transported by the unmanned system.

To do so, the pneumatic delivery system comprises a tube that can be pressured or depressurized to move the container through the tube. The tube comprises a tube opening at a location where the canister can be retrieved or dropped off by an unmanned system. At the tube opening, the pneumatic system comprises a transfer mechanism.

Citations (92)

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CH508541A
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WO1995021361A1
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Record as JSON

{
  "publication_number": "US12100853B2",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "B2",
  "title": "Pneumatic delivery system and method for use with unmanned vehicle systems",
  "abstract": "A pneumatic delivery system is used to facilitate delivery of canisters comprising delivery payloads by unmanned systems, such as unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). The pneumatic delivery system comprises a tube having a channel within a tube wall, where a canister is configured to move through the tube. The tube comprises a tube opening and a transfer mechanism proximate the tube opening. The transfer mechanism engages a canister having a payload that is moved within the tube. The transfer mechanism moves the canister through the tube opening by extending from a first transfer position to a second transfer position. At the second transfer position, the transfer mechanism orients the tube and releases it to a UAV for delivery.",
  "claims": [
    "1. A pneumatic delivery system comprising: a tube comprising a tube wall and a channel extended within the tube wall, wherein the tube is configured to move a canister through the channel; a tube opening within the tube wall; a transfer mechanism movable between a first transfer position and a second transfer position, the transfer mechanism operable to engage the canister at least one of the first transfer position or the second transfer position, wherein the transfer mechanism moves the engaged canister through the tube opening between the first transfer position and the second transfer position; and a landing area comprising a landing area opening extending through the landing area, the landing area opening aligned with the tube opening.",
    "2. The pneumatic delivery system of claim 1, wherein the transfer mechanism is at least partially recessed within the tube wall in the first transfer position.",
    "3. The pneumatic delivery system of claim 1, wherein the transfer mechanism extends through the tube wall in the first transfer position.",
    "4. The pneumatic delivery system of claim 1, wherein the transfer mechanism comprises one or more transfer arms pivotably coupled to a transfer shaft.",
    "5. The pneumatic delivery system of claim 4, wherein the one or more transfer arms are positioned within the channel when the transfer mechanism is in the first transfer position.",
    "6. The pneumatic delivery system of claim 4, wherein at least a portion of the one or more transfer arms is positioned external to the tube wall when the transfer mechanism is in the second transfer position.",
    "7. The pneumatic delivery system of claim 4, wherein the transfer arms are formed into an arc.",
    "8. The pneumatic delivery system of claim 1, further comprising a cover, the cover movable between a first cover position at least partially covering the tube opening and a second cover position that at least partially exposes the tube opening.",
    "9. The pneumatic delivery system of claim 1, further comprising a housing, the housing enclosing at least a portion of the tube comprising the tube opening, the housing comprising a movable section having a first housing position and a second housing position, the first housing position enclosing the landing area within the housing and the second housing position exposing the landing area.",
    "10. The pneumatic delivery system of claim 1, further comprising a canister funnel, the canister funnel having a first canister funnel end with a first canister funnel end opening and a second canister funnel end with a second canister funnel end opening, the second canister funnel end opening being relatively smaller than the first canister funnel end opening, the second canister funnel end opening aligned with the tube opening.",
    "11. The pneumatic delivery system of claim 10, wherein the first canister funnel end opening is aligned with the landing area opening of the landing area.",
    "12. A method comprising: moving a canister through a tube comprising a tube wall and a channel extending within the tube wall; positioning the canister proximate a tube opening within the tube wall; engaging the canister with a transfer mechanism when the transfer mechanism is at a first position; moving the transfer mechanism from the first position to a second position, wherein the canister is at least partially positioned external from the tube wall and a landing area opening extending through a landing area that is aligned with the tube opening when the transfer mechanism is in the second position; and releasing the canister from the transfer mechanism when the canister is at least partially positioned external from the tube wall and the landing area opening.",
    "13. The method of claim 12, wherein the transfer mechanism comprises a first transfer arm and a second transfer arm, and engaging the canister is performed when the canister is positioned between the first transfer arm and the second transfer arm.",
    "14. The method of claim 12, further comprising moving a cover from a first cover position that covers the tube opening to a second cover position that exposes the tube opening.",
    "15. The method of claim 12, further comprising rotating the canister from a first orientation to a second orientation using the transfer mechanism.",
    "16. A pneumatic delivery system comprising: a tube comprising a tube wall and a channel extended within the tube wall, wherein the tube is configured to move a canister through the channel; a tube opening within the tube wall; a transfer mechanism movable between a first transfer position and a second transfer position, the transfer mechanism operable to engage the canister at least one of the first transfer position or the second transfer position, wherein the transfer mechanism moves the engaged canister through the tube opening between the first transfer position and the second transfer position; and a canister funnel, the canister funnel having a first canister funnel end with a first canister funnel end opening and a second canister funnel end with a second canister funnel end opening, wherein the second canister funnel end opening is smaller than the first canister funnel end opening, and the second canister funnel end opening is aligned with the tube opening.",
    "17. The pneumatic delivery system of claim 16, wherein the transfer mechanism is at least partially recessed within the tube wall in the first transfer position.",
    "18. The pneumatic delivery system of claim 16, wherein the transfer mechanism extends through the tube wall in the first transfer position.",
    "19. The pneumatic delivery system of claim 16, wherein the transfer mechanism comprises one or more transfer arms pivotably coupled to a transfer shaft.",
    "20. The pneumatic delivery system of claim 16, further comprising a cover, the cover movable between a first cover position at least partially covering the tube opening and a second cover position that at least partially exposes the tube opening."
  ],
  "description_excerpt": "Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) are used to deliver goods. Some logistics companies have recently started to commercially deliver parcels using UAVs, sometimes referred to as “drones” for short. The majority of deliveries performed by UAVs include relatively small, light parcels.\n\nOne current use case for UAV delivery involves delivering critical medical supplies or lab samples. UAVs have significantly reduced the delivery time historically experienced through traditional delivery methods. This has resulted in the faster processing of lab samples and more rapid deployment of critical medical supplies during emergencies.\n\nAt a high level, the disclosed technology relates to pneumatic delivery systems that can be used by unmanned systems to transfer canisters containing delivery payloads.\n\nIn particular, the technology provides for a pneumatic delivery system that can move a canister to a position where it can be picked up using an unmanned system, such as a UAV. The canister is generally configured to enclose a payload that can then be transported by the unmanned system.\n\nTo do so, the pneumatic delivery system comprises a tube that can be pressured or depressurized to move the container through the tube. The tube comprises a tube opening at a location where the canister can be retrieved or dropped off by an unmanned system. At the tube opening, the pneumatic system comprises a transfer mechanism.",
  "cpc": [
    "H01M 50/249",
    "B64C 2211/00",
    "B64C 25/34",
    "B64C 39/024",
    "B64D 1/12",
    "B64D 1/22",
    "B64D 9/00",
    "B64F 1/32",
    "B64U 10/13",
    "B64U 2101/60",
    "B64U 2101/64",
    "B64U 30/20",
    "B64U 50/39",
    "B64U 60/00",
    "B65G 51/26",
    "F15B 15/20",
    "H01M 2220/20",
    "H01M 50/548"
  ],
  "ipc": [
    "B64C 25/34",
    "B64C 39/02",
    "B64D 1/12",
    "B64D 1/22",
    "B64D 9/00",
    "B64F 1/32",
    "B64U 10/13",
    "B64U 101/60",
    "B64U 30/20",
    "B64U 50/39",
    "B65G 51/26",
    "F15B 15/20",
    "H01M 50/249"
  ],
  "assignees": [
    "United Parcel Service of America Inc"
  ],
  "inventors": [
    "Julio Gil",
    "Julian Bell",
    "Jared Nauert"
  ],
  "filing_date": "2022-04-01",
  "publication_date": "2024-09-24",
  "grant_date": "2024-09-24",
  "priority_date": "2021-04-06",
  "application_number": "US-202217711733-A",
  "family_id": "83448395",
  "cited_by_count": 4,
  "citations": [
    "US720395A",
    "CH508541A",
    "US3948466A",
    "JPS5345890A",
    "JPH01176720A",
    "FR2685547A1",
    "WO1995021361A1",
    "US5868357A",
    "US5760569A",
    "US6179357B1",
    "US20050000967A1",
    "US20050023284A1",
    "US20080083756A1",
    "EP1993940A1",
    "US7631444B1",
    "US20140180914A1",
    "CN102785937A",
    "US9027777B1",
    "EP2644438A2",
    "WO2015061008A1",
    "EP2868577A1",
    "WO2015158934A1",
    "WO2015158394A1",
    "US9280038B1",
    "WO2016019978A1",
    "US20170217323A1",
    "EP3177528A1",
    "US20160068264A1",
    "US20160257423A1",
    "US20160140851A1",
    "US9688404B1",
    "US20170349039A1",
    "US9527605B1",
    "US9387928B1",
    "US9650133B2",
    "US9676481B1",
    "US20170029101A1",
    "US20170015415A1",
    "US20170038116A1",
    "US10040370B2",
    "US20180105063A1",
    "US10071804B1",
    "US9969494B1",
    "JP2017083063A",
    "JP6176309B2",
    "US9412280B1",
    "US20180265222A1",
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    "US20180370618A1",
    "US20170316375A1",
    "US9957048B2",
    "US20170313421A1",
    "US9981745B2",
    "US20170368959A1",
    "US20180002015A1",
    "US10246187B2",
    "US10274952B2",
    "US20200047353A1",
    "US11345051B2",
    "US10899449B2",
    "US10435156B2",
    "US10807714B2",
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    "DE102017209263A1",
    "US20190144007A1",
    "US10836406B2",
    "KR20190069968A",
    "FR3075170A1",
    "US20190291865A1",
    "US11453498B2",
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    "KR102021105B1",
    "US20220134899A1",
    "WO2020184166A1",
    "WO2020235744A1",
    "CN110398983A",
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    "CN110963033A",
    "US20220035381A1",
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    "US20230008634A1",
    "US20230060684A1",
    "US20230063715A1",
    "US20230131957A1"
  ]
}

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