Patent ID: 11884397
Assignee: WORKHORSE GROUP INC.
Field: Transport (Mechanical engineering)
Classification: CPC B | IPC B

Claim 0:
1. An unmanned aerial vehicle, comprising:
a control system;
at least one rotor operable to generate lift under control of the control system;
a line including a free portion hanging from the unmanned aerial vehicle;
a hook attached to the free portion of the line, wherein the hook is operable to engage a parcel to be delivered by the unmanned aerial vehicle; and
a load sensor operable to detect a loaded/unloaded state of the line, wherein the loaded/unloaded state is a loaded state when the parcel is suspended from the line, and wherein the loaded/unloaded state is an unloaded state when the parcel is disengaged from the hook;
wherein the control system is configured to cause lowering of the hook to a position in which the parcel is supported by a target surface, and to subsequently cause raising of the hook and determine the loaded/unloaded state of the line based upon information transmitted by the load sensor; and
wherein the control system is further configured to cause lowering of the hook an additional time in response to determining that the line remains in the loaded state.