Abstract:
Unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) capture devices and methods of operation are disclosed. A UAV capture device may include a netting system including a net launch device and a net, a propulsion system including a plurality of propellers coupled to one or more motors, a positioning system, a camera system, and a processing system coupled to the netting system, the propulsion system, the positioning system, and the camera system. The processing system may include logic to operate the propulsion system to autonomously navigate to a general location of a target UAV, to operate the propulsion system to pursue the target UAV, to deploy the netting system to propel the net at the target UAV, and to confirm if the target UAV is captured in the net. Other aspects, embodiments, and features are also included.
Abstract:
A centering system for positioning an Unmanned Autonomous Vehicle (UAV) is provided with two or more supporting extremities rigidly connected thereto, comprising a pair of displaceable positioning elements provided with surfaces sloped relative to each other, which create trapping areas such that when said positioning elements are caused to move one relative to the other, said two or more supporting extremities are caused to be trapped in said trapping areas.
Abstract:
Various embodiments of the present disclosure provide a helicopter-mediated system and method for launching and retrieving an aircraft capable of long-distance efficient cruising flight from a small space without the use of a long runway.
Abstract:
An asymmetric aircraft (1) and an aircraft (1) that can operate from small ships (8) and be stored in high density with three aircraft or more in one helicopter hangar (107) without needing a landing gear or wing fold. These aircraft slide into and out of the hangar on dollies (90) like circuit boards in a computer and are launched and recovered using a large towed parafoil (6).
Abstract:
A retrieval device for an unmanned aircraft. The retrieval device may include a frame that supports a flexible material. The flexible material may form a receptacle portion shaped to receive the unmanned aircraft. The flexible material may absorb at least a portion of the energy exerted by the aircraft landing within the receptacle portion. Wheels may be connected to the frame to further control and absorb energy from the landing.
Abstract:
The invention is aimed at an aerial vehicle (10) of mini‑drone or micro‑drone type, of the remote‑operated, fixed‑wing type, comprising propulsion means, the aerial vehicle (10) comprising means (20) of attachment to a support (24) on which the vehicle could not, without being powered, rest under the effect of gravity alone, and means of detachment from this support.
Abstract:
In specific embodiments, a vehicle propellable through fluids or along surfaces, comprises a main work section and a plurality of propulsion units for propelling the main work section. The main work section supports one or more payloads. The propulsion units each include a rotor system and a ring-shaped wheel at least partially arranged about the rotor system and rotatable about the rotor system. The ring-shaped wheel is arranged at a banked angle relative to the rotor system.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to a landing arresting system for vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aerial vehicles(1) comprising a landing and take-off platform(6) and at least one VTOL locking member (4) having a projecting portion (32) arranged at a lower portion of the vehicle (1). The landing and take-off platform(6) comprises a plurality of individually displaceable rolls (12),arranged substantially in a horizontal direction, and moveable back and forth, such that the projecting portion (32) of the VTOL locking member (4) can be entered, retained and released between two adjacent rolls (12). The present invention also relates to a landing and take-off platform for VTOL aerial vehicles and a VTOL locking member for aerial vehicles.
Abstract:
Ce harpon d'ancrage (1) notamment d'un aéronef, apte à coopérer avec une grille d'ancrage (2) d'une plate-forme, comportant des moyens en forme de vérin (3) comprenant des moyens en forme de cylindre (4) dans lesquels se déplacent des moyens en forme de piston (5) munis d'une tige (6) s' étendant au-delà des moyens en forme de cylindre et dont l'extrémité libre comporte une tête de harpon (7) d'accrochage dans la grille, munie de doigts de retenue (8,13,14) dans celle-ci déplaçâmes entre une position escamotée et une position active par des moyens de commande (9), est caractérisé en ce que les moyens en forme de vérin sont raccordés à une source de fluide sous pression (30) à travers des moyens de commande (31) et en ce que cette source de fluide sous pression comporte une cartouche consommable de gaz (30).
Abstract:
Ce harpon d'ancrage notamment d'un aéronef, apte à coopérer avec une grille d'ancrage d'une plate-forme, comportant des moyens en forme de vérin comprenant des moyens en forme de cylindre dans lesquels se déplacent des moyens en forme de piston munis d'une tige s'étendant au-delà des moyens en forme de cylindre et dont l'extrémité libre comporte une tête de harpon (7) d'accrochage dans la grille, munie de doigts de retenue (8, 13, 14) dans celle-ci déplaçables entre une position escamotée et une position active par des moyens de commande (9), est caractérisé en ce que les moyens de commande (9) des déplacements des doigts comprennent un piston de commande (18) déplaçable à coulissement dans la tige du vérin et associé à un actionneur bistable (19) des doigts, déplaçable entre des positions escamotée et active de sortie des doigts par applications successives d'impulsions de pression dans les moyens en forme de vérin.