Multicopter-assisted system and method for launching and retrieving a fixed-wing aircraft

• US 10,549,851 B2
• Filed: 02/14/2017
• Issued: 02/04/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 04/02/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hood Technology Corporation
• Original Assignee: Hood Technology Corporation
• Inventors: von Flotow, Andreas H., Roeseler, Corydon C., Reiss, Daniel Pepin
• Primary Examiner(s): Benedik, Justin M
• Application Number:
  US15/432,465
• Publication Number:
  US 20170327225A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,085 Days
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 2027/003 mounted on rotor hub, e.g. a rotary force generator
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 25/08 non-fixed, e.g. jettisonable
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 27/001 Vibration damping devices
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 27/26 characterised by provision of fixed wings
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 27/32 Rotors
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 27/48 Root attachment to rotor head
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 1/00 Dropping, ejecting, releasing, or receiving articles, liquids, or the like, in flight with respect to weapon sights devices F41G takes precedence, parachutes per se B64D17/00; ejectable seats B64D25/10; ejectable capsules B64D25/12; refuelling during flight B64D39/00; launching apparatus for projecting projectiles or missiles F41F1/00, F41F7/00; rocket or torpedo launchers F41F3/00
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 1/02 Dropping, ejecting, or releasing articles jettisonable fuel reservoirs B64D37/12
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 1/12 Releasing
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 3/00 Aircraft adaptations to facilitate towing or being towed B64D39/00 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 35/02 specially adapted for specific power plants
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 5/00 Aircraft transported by aircraft, e.g. for release or reberthing during flight flying units formed by separate aircraft B64C37/02
• CPC Class Codes: B64F 1/029 using a cable or tether
• CPC Class Codes: B64F 1/0295 aerodynamically or aerostatically supported, e.g. parafoil or balloon
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 10/14 with four distinct rotor axes, e.g. quadcopters
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 10/25 Fixed-wing aircraft VTOL aircraft B64U10/20
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 2101/67 the UAVs comprising tethers for lowering the goods
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 2201/10 autonomous, i.e. by navigating independently from ground or air stations, e.g. by using inertial navigation systems [INS]
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 2201/104 using satellite radio beacon positioning systems, e.g. GPS
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 2201/20 Remote controls
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 50/19 : using electrically powered motors
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 70/20 : for releasing or capturing UAVs in flight by another aircraft
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 70/30 : for capturing UAVs in flight by ground or sea-based arresting gear, e.g. by a cable or a net
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 80/70 : in containers B64U80/60 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 25/10 : Devices to locate articles in containers for protecting articles from mechanical damage B65D81/02
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2585/687 : aircrafts
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 85/68 : for machines, engines or vehicles in assembled or dismantled form

Abstract

The present disclosure provides various embodiments of a multicopter-assisted launch and retrieval system generally including: (1) a multi-rotor modular multicopter attachable to (and detachable from) a fixed-wing aircraft to facilitate launch of the fixed-wing aircraft into wing-borne flight; (2) a storage and launch system usable to store the modular multicopter and to facilitate launch of the fixed-wing aircraft into wing-borne flight; and (3) an anchor system usable (along with the multicopter and a flexible capture member) to retrieve the fixed-wing aircraft from wing-borne flight.

Claims

1. An anchor system for retrieving an aircraft from flight, the anchor system comprising:

a base;

a breakaway device removably attachable to the base;

a flexible capture member payout and retract device rotatably attachable to the base; and

a biasing element operably connectable to the flexible capture member payout and retract device to bias the flexible capture member payout and retract device against rotating relative to the base in a designated rotational direction.

2. The anchor system of claim 1, which includes a braking device configured to oppose rotation of the flexible capture member payout and retract device relative to the base.

3. The anchor system of claim 2, wherein the braking device includes an eddy current brake.

4. The anchor system of claim 1, wherein the flexible capture member payout and retract device includes a drum rotatably attachable to the base and a flange attached to one side of the drum.

5. The anchor system of claim 4, wherein the biasing element includes a power spring within the drum.

6. The anchor system of claim 4, wherein the flange is electrically conductive.

7. The anchor system of claim 1, wherein the flexible capture member payout and retract device includes a drum rotatably attachable to the base and an electrically conductive flange attached to one side of the drum, and which includes a magnet fixedly attached to the base adjacent the flange so rotation of the flange relative to the magnet induces an eddy current braking force on the flexible capture member payout and retract device that opposes rotation of the flexible capture member payout and retract device.

8. The anchor system of claim 1, which includes a rotation prevention device movable between:

(1) a lock position in which the rotation prevention device prevents rotation of the flexible capture payout and retract device relative to the base in at least one rotational direction; and

(2) an unlock position in which the rotation prevention device does not prevent rotation of the flexible capture payout and retract device relative to the base in the at least one rotational direction.

9. The anchor system of claim 1, wherein the breakaway device includes a hollow shaft and a finger movable between a first position in which a free end of the finger is retained within the hollow shaft and a second position in which the free end of the finger is outside of the hollow shaft.

10. The anchor system of claim 9, wherein the breakaway device includes a biasing element that prevents the finger from moving from the first position to the second position until a designated tension is applied to the finger.

11. The anchor system of claim 10, wherein the biasing element includes a spring.

12. The anchor system of claim 11, wherein the breakaway device includes a collar slidably disposed on the shaft and an upper retaining element at an upper end of the shaft, wherein the spring is disposed around the shaft between the collar and the upper retaining element so movement of the collar toward the upper retaining element compresses the spring.

13. The anchor system of claim 12, wherein the breakaway device includes a breakaway sleeve removably attachable to the collar, the finger pivotably connected to the breakaway sleeve.

14. The anchor system of claim 13, wherein the breakaway sleeve defines a finger escape slot therethrough through which the finger passes when moving from the first position to the second position.

15. The anchor system of claim 1, wherein the designated rotational direction corresponds with payout of a flexible capture member attached to the flexible capture member payout and retract device.

16. An anchor system for retrieving an aircraft from flight, the anchor system comprising:

a base;

a flexible capture member payout and retract device rotatably attachable to the base;

a biasing element operably connectable to the flexible capture member payout and retract device to bias the flexible capture member payout and retract device against rotating relative to the base in a designated rotational direction; and

a braking device configured to oppose rotation of the flexible capture member payout and retract device relative to the base.

17. The anchor system of claim 16, wherein the braking device includes an eddy current brake.

18. The anchor system of claim 17, wherein the flexible capture member payout and retract device includes a drum rotatably attached to the base and a flange attached to one side of the drum.

19. The anchor system of claim 18, wherein the flange is electrically conductive.

20. The anchor system of claim 19, which includes a magnet fixedly attached to the base adjacent the flange so rotation of the flange relative to the magnet induces an eddy current braking force on the flexible capture member payout and retract device that opposes rotation of the flexible capture member payout and retract device.