公开(公告)号：US20170341735A1

公开(公告)日：2017-11-30

申请号：US15166732

申请日：2016-05-27

Applicant: The Boeing Company

Inventor： Roger D. Bernhardt ,  Alexander D. Lee ,  Ryan L. Hupp ,  Abraham N. Gissen ,  Benjamin A. Rothacker

IPC: B64C21/04 ,  B64C19/00 ,  B64C23/00

CPC classification number: B64C21/04 ,  B64C19/00 ,  B64C23/00 ,  B64C39/022 ,  B64C39/024 ,  B64C2201/182 ,  B64D3/00 ,  B64D5/00

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for dynamically controlling airflow behind a carrier aircraft to redirect air flow during an in-flight recovery of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). The apparatus comprises a frame attached to an end portion of an arm member extending from the carrier aircraft. The apparatus comprises a plurality of vanes disposed within the frame. Each vane is controllable between an opened position and a closed position to dynamically modify the airflow behind the carrier aircraft during the in-flight recovery of the UAV. Alternatively, or in addition to, the apparatus comprises a plurality of compressed air jets disposed on the frame, wherein each jet is controllable to provide active airflow to dynamically modify the airflow behind the carrier aircraft during the in-flight recovery of the UAV.

公开(公告)号：US09878777B2

公开(公告)日：2018-01-30

申请号：US15166732

申请日：2016-05-27

Applicant: The Boeing Company

Inventor： Roger D. Bernhardt ,  Alexander D. Lee ,  Ryan L. Hupp ,  Abraham N. Gissen ,  Benjamin A. Rothacker

IPC: B64C21/04 ,  B64C23/00 ,  B64C19/00

CPC classification number: B64C21/04 ,  B64C19/00 ,  B64C23/00 ,  B64C39/022 ,  B64C39/024 ,  B64C2201/182 ,  B64D3/00 ,  B64D5/00

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for dynamically controlling airflow behind a carrier aircraft to redirect air flow during an in-flight recovery of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). The apparatus comprises a frame attached to an end portion of an arm member extending from the carrier aircraft. The apparatus comprises a plurality of vanes disposed within the frame. Each vane is controllable between an opened position and a closed position to dynamically modify the airflow behind the carrier aircraft during the in-flight recovery of the UAV. Alternatively, or in addition to, the apparatus comprises a plurality of compressed air jets disposed on the frame, wherein each jet is controllable to provide active airflow to dynamically modify the airflow behind the carrier aircraft during the in-flight recovery of the UAV.