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

• US 10,577,094 B2
• Filed: 02/15/2017
• Issued: 03/03/2020
• 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.
• Primary Examiner(s): Benedik, Justin M
• Application Number:
  US15/433,686
• Publication Number:
  US 20170327226A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,112 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 27/08 with two or more rotors
• 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: B64C 39/024 of the remote controlled vehicle type, i.e. RPV
• 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 10/10 Rotorcrafts
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 10/13 Flying platforms
• 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 2101/00 : UAVs specially adapted for particular uses or applications
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 2101/67 : the UAVs comprising tethers for lowering the goods
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 2201/20 : Remote controls
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 30/20 : Rotors; Rotor supports
• 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. A rotorcraft-assisted system for retrieving an aircraft from flight, the system comprising:

a rotorcraft;

a flexible capture member having a first end and a second end, the first end attachable to the rotorcraft; and

an anchor system including a base, a breakaway device removably attachable to the base, and a flexible capture member payout and retract device rotatably attachable to the base,

wherein the second end of the flexible capture member is attachable to the flexible capture member payout and retract device,

wherein the flexible capture member is attachable to the breakaway device between the ends of the flexible capture member.

2. The rotorcraft-assisted system of claim 1, wherein the flexible capture member includes a capture portion including two ends and a middle extending between the two ends, one of the two ends being thicker than the middle.

3. The rotorcraft-assisted system of claim 2, wherein both ends of the capture portion are thicker than the middle.

4. The rotorcraft-assisted system of claim 3, wherein the two ends of the capture portion each include a Brummel eye splice.

5. The rotorcraft-assisted system of claim 1, wherein the flexible capture member includes an elastic portion near the first end.

6. The rotorcraft-assisted system of claim 5, wherein the flexible capture member includes a capture portion and a retractable portion, the capture portion located between the elastic portion and the retractable portion.

7. The rotorcraft-assisted system of claim 6, wherein the capture portion includes two ends and a middle extending between the two ends, one of the two ends being thicker than the middle.

8. The rotorcraft-assisted system of claim 7, wherein both ends of the capture portion are thicker than the middle.

9. The rotorcraft-assisted system of claim 1, wherein the flexible capture member includes an elastic portion near the first end, wherein the flexible capture member includes a capture portion and a retractable portion, the capture portion located between the elastic portion and the retractable portion, wherein the capture portion includes two ends and a middle extending between the two ends, wherein both ends of the capture portion are thicker than the middle, and wherein the two ends of the capture portion each include a Brummel eye splice.

10. The rotorcraft-assisted system of claim 1, which includes a ring, the ring attachable to the flexible capture member to enable the flexible capture member to be attached to the breakaway device.

11. A flexible capture member for retrieving an aircraft from flight, the flexible capture member comprising:

an elastic portion including a compliant damper;

a retractable portion; and

a capture portion between the elastic portion and the retractable portion.

12. The flexible capture member of claim 11, wherein the capture portion includes two ends and a middle extending between the two ends, one of the two ends being thicker than the middle.

13. The flexible capture member of claim 12, wherein both of the ends of the capture portion are thicker than the middle.

14. The flexible capture member of claim 13, wherein the two ends each include a Brummel eye splice.

15. The flexible capture member of claim 11, wherein the retractable portion is non-elastic, and wherein the capture portion is non-elastic.

16. A flexible capture member for retrieving an aircraft from flight, the flexible capture member comprising:

an elastic portion;

a retractable portion including an elastic member; and

a capture portion between the elastic portion and the retractable portion.

17. The flexible capture member of claim 16, wherein the retractable portion includes the elastic member and a non-elastic member, and wherein the elastic member is positioned inside the non-elastic member.

18. The flexible capture member of claim 16, wherein the retractable portion includes the elastic member and a non-elastic member, and wherein the elastic member is positioned inside the non-elastic member, and wherein the capture portion is non-elastic.