Payload transport and delivery method, system and multi-platform unmanned cargo delivery vehicle

Abstract

A method of transporting cargo, a cargo transport system and an unmanned Wing In Ground Effect vessel (UWIG) for transporting the cargo. A wake up signal indicates assignment of a new delivery. The UWIG begins pre-flight, causes cargo to be transported to the UWIG, and causes the cargo loaded into UWIG storage compartments. Once loaded and the loaded UWIG is ready, the UWIG taxis, e.g., to the open sea. Environmentally sealed PAR thrust fans provide PAR thrust during takeoff. The UWIG flies to a delivery location where cargo is unloaded, and may be stored.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of transporting cargo, said method comprising:
 receiving an indication of assignment of a new delivery;   transporting cargo from local storage to an unmanned Wing In Ground Effect vessel (UWIG) with one or more storage compartments;   loading said cargo into said one or more storage compartments;   taxiing to a take-off location;   flying said UWIG from said take-off location to a delivery location; and   unloading said cargo.   
     
     
         2 . A method as in  claim 1 , before transporting cargo to said UWIG said method further comprising:
 initiating a UWIG system power up responsive to said indication;   conducting a pre-flight checklist; and   selectively initiating transporting and loading said cargo responsive to results of said pre-flight checklist.   
     
     
         3 . A method as in  claim 2 , wherein
 when said results indicate checklist failure said UWIG aborts delivery and returns to a powered down state, and otherwise   said UWIG initiates transporting and loading.   
     
     
         4 . A method as in  claim 1 , wherein upon arrival of said cargo at said UWIG, loading said cargo is managed from said UWIG. 
     
     
         5 . A method as in  claim 1 , before taxiing said method further comprising:
 conducting a pre-takeoff checklist; and   selectively initiating taxiing responsive to results of said pre-takeoff checklist.   
     
     
         6 . A method as in  claim 5 , wherein
 when said results indicate checklist failure said UWIG aborts delivery and returns to a local dock, and otherwise   said UWIG takes off.   
     
     
         7 . A method as in  claim 1 , wherein upon arrival of said UWIG at said delivery location, said method further comprises:
 taxiing to an unloading dock; and said UWIG   managing unloading said cargo.   
     
     
         8 . A method as in  claim 7 , after cargo is unloaded said method further comprising returning to a powered down state. 
     
     
         9 . A method as in  claim 1 , wherein said UWIG is capable of fully autonomous operation. 
     
     
         10 . A method as in  claim 1 , said UWIG receiving said indication of assignment and initiating transporting cargo. 
     
     
         11 . A cargo transport system comprising:
 at least one unmanned Wing In Ground Effect vessel (UWIG) with one or more cargo storage compartments;   an origination port with docking space for, and selectively communicating with, said at least one UWIG;   a destination port with docking space for, and selectively communicating with, said at least one UWIG, said at least one UWIG transporting cargo between said origination port and said destination port; and   cargo loaders transporting cargo between said at least one UWIG and local storage at each of said origination port and said destination port.   
     
     
         12 . A cargo transport system as in  claim 11 , said at least one UWIG including wireless communications transceiver, messages to said wireless communications transceiver selectively indicating assignment of a new cargo shipment, said at least one UWIG initiating transporting said new cargo. 
     
     
         12 . A cargo transport system as in  claim 11 , said at least one UWIG including wireless communications transceiver, said at least one UWIG wirelessly communicating with said origination port and said destination port, and initiating loading and unloading cargo through said wireless communications transceiver. 
     
     
         13 . A cargo transport system as in  claim 12 , new shipment messages to said at least one UWIG indicating assignment of a new cargo shipment wirelessly, said at least one UWIG selectively initiating transporting said new cargo responsive to an indicated assignment. 
     
     
         14 . A cargo transport system as in  claim 13 , said at least one UWIG wirelessly communicating with a cargo transportation service, selected messages from said cargo transportation service being said new shipment messages. 
     
     
         15 . A cargo transport system as in  claim 12 , wherein said at least one UWIG is remote controlled (RC), RC being provided wirelessly through said wireless communications transceiver. 
     
     
         16 . A cargo transport system as in  claim 12 , wherein said at least one UWIG is fully autonomous, said at least one UWIG providing progress updates wirelessly through said wireless communications transceiver. 
     
     
         17 . A cargo transport system as in  claim 12 , wherein said cargo loaders are remote controlled (RC), said at least one UWIG wirelessly providing RC to respective said cargo loaders during loading and unloading. 
     
     
         18 . A cargo transport system as in  claim 17 , wherein cargo for transportation is contained in pods transported by said cargo loaders, a cargo loader at said origination port moving said pods from port storage to one or more cargo doors at a respective UWIG under control of the UWIG, said UWIG moving said pods to said one or more cargo storage compartments and locking said pods in place. 
     
     
         19 . A cargo transport system as in  claim 17 , wherein during transportation cargo is contained in pods locked in place in said one or more cargo storage compartments in a respective UWIG, the UWIG opening one or more cargo storage compartment doors, unlocking said pods, and providing said pods to a cargo loader at said destination port, said cargo loader moving said pods from one or more cargo doors to destination port storage at under control of said UWIG. 
     
     
         20 . A cargo transport system as in  claim 11 , said at least one UWIG comprises:
 a seaworthy fuselage, said one or more cargo storage compartments contained within said seaworthy fuselage;   a pair of reverse swept gull wings attached to said seaworthy fuselage;   a pair of rear mounted propellers providing airborne propulsion;   one or more engines fueled with marine fuel and driving said pair of rear mounted propellers;   a pair of Power Augmented Ram (PAR) thrust variable speed electric fans, each mounted on a respective one of said pair of reverse swept gull wings;   a pair of pontoons, each mounted on a respective one of said pair of reverse swept gull wings;   a pair of underwater fan thrusters, each mounted on a respective one of said pair of pontoons; and   an on board controller providing control to the one or more engine, PAR thrust fans and underwater fan thrusters for surface maneuvering, taxiing and flying said UWIG.   
     
     
         21 . An unmanned Wing In Ground Effect vessel (UWIG) comprising:
 a seaworthy fuselage with internal cargo space;   a pair of wings attached to said seaworthy fuselage;   a pair of rear mounted propellers;   a pair of Power Augmented Ram (PAR) thrust variable speed electric fans, each mounted forward of a respective wing;   a pair of pontoons, each mounted on a respective wing;   a pair of underwater fan thrusters, each mounted on a respective pontoon and providing water bourn power for docking, undocking and taxiing; and   an on board controller providing control to propeller rotation, the PAR thrust fans and the underwater fan thrusters, the on board controller controlling surface maneuvering, taxiing and flying said UWIG.   
     
     
         22 . A UWIG as in  claim 21  further comprising:
 one or more cargo storage compartments contained within said seaworthy fuselage; and 
 one or more engines fueled with marine fuel and driving said pair of rear mounted propellers, said pair of rear mounted propellers providing airborne propulsion. 
 
     
     
         23 . A UWIG as in  claim 21  wherein said pair of wings are reverse swept gull wings. 
     
     
         24 . A UWIG as in  claim 21  wherein said PAR thrust fans are environmentally sealed and provide PAR thrust during takeoff. 
     
     
         25 . A UWIG as in  claim 21 , further comprising a wireless communications transceiver, messages to said wireless communications transceiver selectively indicating assignment of a new cargo shipment, said on board controller waking on board units and initiating transporting said new cargo. 
     
     
         26 . A UWIG as in  claim 25 , new shipment messages indicating assignment of a new cargo shipment, said at least one on board controller selectively initiating transporting said new cargo responsive to an indicated assignment. 
     
     
         27 . A UWIG as in  claim 25 , wherein said UWIG is remote controlled (RC), RC being provided wirelessly through said wireless communications transceiver. 
     
     
         28 . A UWIG as in  claim 25 , said wireless communications transceiver wirelessly communicating with origination ports and destination port, and selectively initiating loading and unloading cargo. 
     
     
         29 . A UWIG as in  claim 28 , said wireless communications transceiver wirelessly communicating with a cargo transportation service, selected messages from said cargo transportation service being said new shipment messages. 
     
     
         30 . A UWIG as in  claim 29 , wherein said UWIG is fully autonomous, said UWIG providing progress updates to said cargo transportation service wirelessly through said wireless communications transceiver. 
     
     
         31 . A UWIG as in  claim 30 , wherein said UWIG wirelessly, selectively provides remote controlled (RC) to cargo loaders during loading and unloading, and said underwater fan thrusters provide water bourn power for docking, undocking and taxiing.