Method and apparatus for automated launch, retrieval, and servicing of a hovering aircraft
    72.
    发明授权
    Method and apparatus for automated launch, retrieval, and servicing of a hovering aircraft 有权
    用于自动启动,检索和维护悬停飞机的方法和设备

    公开(公告)号:US08453966B2

    公开(公告)日:2013-06-04

    申请号:US12702935

    申请日:2010-02-09

    IPC分类号: B64F1/02

    摘要: An aircraft capable of thrust-borne flight can be automatically retrieved, serviced, and launched using equipment suitable for use on a small vessel, or a base with similarly limited space or irregular motion. For retrieval, the aircraft drops a weighted cable, and pulls it at low relative speed into a broad aperture of a base apparatus. Continued translation of the aircraft may pull the cable clear of the apparatus, in which case it can continue in free flight and return for another retrieval attempt. Alternatively, the cable will be dragged along guiding surfaces of the apparatus into and through a slot or similar channel, until its free end is captured. The aircraft, having thus become anchored to the base station, is then pulled down by the cable into a receptacle. Guiding surfaces of the receptacle adjust the position and orientation of a probe on the aircraft, while directing the probe to mate with a docking fixture. Once mated to the fixture, the cable can be released and stored aboard the aircraft; the aircraft can be automatically shut down; and fueling or other servicing can be completed through appropriate connectors in the docking fixture. The aircraft can remain docked as needed, and when desired, be automatically started and tested in preparation for launch. It can then be released into free flight. A full ground-handling cycle can thus accomplished with simple and economical apparatus. It can be used with low risk of damage, and only moderate piloting accuracy.

    摘要翻译: 可以使用适合在小型船舶上使用的设备或具有相似空间或不规则运动的基座来自动检索,维修和启动能够推力飞行的飞机。 为了进行检索,飞机将一个加权电缆丢弃,并以相对较低的速度将其拉到一个基本设备的宽孔中。 飞机的连续翻译可将电缆从设备中拉出,在这种情况下,它可以继续自由飞行并返回以进行另外的检测尝试。 或者,电缆将沿着设备的引导表面拖入并穿过槽或相似的通道,直到其自由端被捕获。 因此,已经锚定到基站的飞机然后被电缆拉到插座中。 插座的导向面调整飞机上探头的位置和方向,同时引导探头与对接固定装置配合。 一旦配合到固定装置上,电缆可以被释放并存放在飞机上; 飞机可以自动关机; 并且可以通过对接固定装置中的适当连接器来完成加油或其它维修。 飞机可以根据需要保持对接,并且在需要时,可以自动启动和测试以准备发射。 然后可以将其释放到免费飞行中。 因此,可以用简单而经济的装置实现完整的地面处理循环。 它可以使用低损害风险,只有适度的驾驶准确性。

    Launch and recovery system for unmanned aerial vehicles
    73.
    发明授权
    Launch and recovery system for unmanned aerial vehicles 有权
    无人机的发射和恢复系统

    公开(公告)号:US08167242B2

    公开(公告)日:2012-05-01

    申请号:US12893407

    申请日:2010-09-29

    IPC分类号: B64C25/68

    摘要: A method of launching and retrieving a UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) (10). The preferred method of launch involves carrying the UAV (10) up to altitude using a parasail (8) similar to that used to carry tourists aloft. The UAV is dropped and picks up enough airspeed in the dive to perform a pull-up into level controlled flight. The preferred method of recovery is for the UAV to fly into and latch onto the parasail tow line (4) or cables hanging off the tow line and then be winched back down to the boat (2).

    摘要翻译: 一种发射和检索无人机(无人机)的方法(10)。 优选的发射方法是将UAV(10)运送到高度,使用类似于用来搭载高层游客的伞(8)。 无人机被丢弃,并在潜水中获得足够的空速,执行上升到等级控制飞行。 回收的首选方法是使UAV飞入并锁定在悬挂拖线(4)上或悬挂在拖绳上的电缆,然后被绞盘回到船(2)。

    LAUNCH AND RECOVERY SYSTEM FOR UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLES
    74.
    发明申请
    LAUNCH AND RECOVERY SYSTEM FOR UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLES 审中-公开
    无人驾驶飞机的发射和恢复系统

    公开(公告)号:US20110127378A1

    公开(公告)日:2011-06-02

    申请号:US13020970

    申请日:2011-02-04

    IPC分类号: B64F1/02

    摘要: A method of launching and retrieving a UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) (10). The preferred method of launch involves carrying the UAV (10) up to altitude using a parasail (8) similar to that used to carry tourists aloft. The UAV is dropped and picks up enough airspeed in the dive to perform a pull-up into level controlled flight. The preferred method of recovery is for the UAV to fly into and latch onto the parasail tow line (4) or cables hanging off the tow line and then be winched back down to the boat (2).

    摘要翻译: 一种发射和检索无人机(无人机)的方法(10)。 优选的发射方法是将UAV(10)运送到高度,使用类似于用来搭载高层游客的伞(8)。 无人机被丢弃,并在潜水中获得足够的空速,执行上升到等级控制飞行。 回收的首选方法是使UAV飞入并锁定在悬挂拖线(4)上或悬挂在拖绳上的电缆,然后被绞盘回到船(2)。

    UAV arresting hook for use with UAV recovery system

    公开(公告)号:US07143976B2

    公开(公告)日:2006-12-05

    申请号:US11051842

    申请日:2005-02-04

    IPC分类号: B64C25/68

    摘要: A UAV arresting hook is disclosed. The arresting hook facilitates the capture of a UAV via a UAV recovery system. In the illustrative embodiment, the arresting hook has a rotation block, an arm, and a plurality of latches that are disposed on the arm. The arm is coupled to the UAV via the rotation block, which provides two rotational degrees of freedom to the arm. In a stowed position, the arm is flush against the surface of the UAV. To deploy the arm, a free end of the arm is rotated away from the surface of the UAV. The arm is additionally biased to rotate about its longitudinal axis as it rotates away from the surface of the UAV. This rotation positions the latches to capture an arresting line that is part of a UAV recovery system.

    Launch and recovery system for unmanned aerial vehicles
    76.
    发明授权
    Launch and recovery system for unmanned aerial vehicles 有权
    无人机的发射和恢复系统

    公开(公告)号:US07097137B2

    公开(公告)日:2006-08-29

    申请号:US10754251

    申请日:2004-01-09

    IPC分类号: B64F1/02

    摘要: A method of launching and retrieving a UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) (10). The preferred method of launch involves carrying the UAV (10) up to altitude using a parasail (8) similar to that used to carry tourists aloft. The UAV is dropped and picks up enough airspeed in the dive to perform a pull-up into level controlled flight. The preferred method of recovery is for the UAV to fly into and latch onto the parasail tow line (4) or cables hanging off the tow line and then be winched back down to the boat (2).

    摘要翻译: 一种发射和检索无人机(无人机)的方法(10)。 优选的发射方法是将无人机(10)运送到高度,使用类似于用来搭载高层游客的伞(8)。 无人机被丢弃,并在潜水中获得足够的空速,执行上升到等级控制飞行。 回收的首选方法是使UAV飞入并锁定在悬挂拖线(4)上或悬挂在拖绳上的电缆,然后被绞盘回到船(2)。

    Launch and recovery system for unmanned aerial vehicles
    79.
    发明申请
    Launch and recovery system for unmanned aerial vehicles 有权
    无人机的发射和恢复系统

    公开(公告)号:US20050017129A1

    公开(公告)日:2005-01-27

    申请号:US10754251

    申请日:2004-01-09

    申请人: William McDonnell

    发明人: William McDonnell

    摘要: A method of launching and retrieving a UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) (10). The preferred method of launch involves carrying the UAV (10) up to altitude using a parasail (8) similar to that used to carry tourists aloft. The UAV is dropped and picks up enough airspeed in the dive to perform a pull-up into level controlled flight. The preferred method of recovery is for the UAV to fly into and latch onto the parasail tow line (4) or cables hanging off the tow line and then be winched back down to the boat (2).

    摘要翻译: 一种发射和检索无人机(无人机)的方法(10)。 优选的发射方法是将UAV(10)运送到高度,使用类似于用来搭载高层游客的伞(8)。 无人机被丢弃,并在潜水中获得足够的空速,执行上升到等级控制飞行。 回收的首选方法是使UAV飞入并锁定在悬挂拖线(4)上或悬挂在拖绳上的电缆,然后被绞盘回到船(2)。