Deployment system and method for subsurface launched unmanned aerial vehicle
First Claim
1. A system for deploying an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) from a platform submerged in a medium, the system comprising:
- a capsule enclosing the UAV in a watertight manner when submerged;
a floatation device attached to said capsule, said floatation device providing buoyancy to said capsule to bring said capsule to a surface of the medium after launch of said capsule from the submerged platform;
a hatch forming an opening in said capsule to allow the UAV to exit said capsule, said hatch opening after said capsule reaches the surface of the medium;
a lifting means within said capsule for moving the UAV from within said capsule, through said hatch and to a position exterior to said capsule; and
a cradle for releasably supporting the UAV, said cradle and the UAV rotating between an interior orientation and a launch orientation when the UAV reaches the position exterior to said capsule.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A launch system is provided in which an unmanned aerial vehicle is secured to a platform in a watertight tube adapted to be launched from a submerged platform. Once launched, side panels on the tube are jettisoned and a flotation device is deployed to bring the tube to the surface. The flotation device maintains the tube in a vertical position when rising to and at the surface. After surfacing, a top-sealing cap of the tube is opened. A lifting mechanism within the tube raises the vertically oriented platform assembly up within the tube. Guide rails maintain the vertical orientation of the assembly during lifting. At the topmost point of travel, the assembly is raised clear of the tube and is disengaged from the guide rails, allowing the assembly to pivot about its attachment to the lifting mechanism and assume an orientation favorable for launching the UAV.
54 Citations
18 Claims
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1. A system for deploying an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) from a platform submerged in a medium, the system comprising:
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a capsule enclosing the UAV in a watertight manner when submerged; a floatation device attached to said capsule, said floatation device providing buoyancy to said capsule to bring said capsule to a surface of the medium after launch of said capsule from the submerged platform; a hatch forming an opening in said capsule to allow the UAV to exit said capsule, said hatch opening after said capsule reaches the surface of the medium; a lifting means within said capsule for moving the UAV from within said capsule, through said hatch and to a position exterior to said capsule; and a cradle for releasably supporting the UAV, said cradle and the UAV rotating between an interior orientation and a launch orientation when the UAV reaches the position exterior to said capsule. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A system for deploying an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) from a submerged platform, the system comprising:
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a watertight elongated cylindrical capsule enclosing the UAV; a floatation device providing buoyancy to said capsule to bring said capsule to a surface after launch of said capsule from the submerged platform, the floatation device maintaining a longitudinal axis of said capsule to be substantially vertical; a lifting means within said capsule for moving the UAV vertically within said capsule; a removable cap forming an opening in said capsule, said lifting means moving the UAV through opening; and a cradle for releasably supporting the UAV, said cradle and UAV rotating between a vertical interior orientation and a substantially horizontal launch orientation upon the UAV passing through the opening. - View Dependent Claims (17)
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18. The system of claim 18 wherein the lifting means comprises:
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a motorized winch; and a cable attached at one end to said winch and at a distal end to said cradle, wherein said cable is wound on the winch to move the cradle and the UAV within said capsule.
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Specification