Launch tube deployable surveillance and reconnaissance system

• US 20110168838A1
• Filed: 04/21/2010
• Published: 07/14/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 04/27/2009
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: PFG Ip, LLC
• Original Assignee: Irvine Sensors Corp.
• Inventors: Holly, Michael, Hornback, William
• Application Number:
  US12/799,297
• Publication Number:
  US 20110168838A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 244/63
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 39/028 Micro-sized aircraft
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 10/25 Fixed-wing aircraft VTOL aircraft B64U10/20
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 2101/30 for imaging, photography or videography
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 2101/31 for surveillance
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 30/12 Variable or detachable wings, e.g. wings with adjustable sweep
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 50/13 using external fans or propellers
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 50/19 using electrically powered motors
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 70/50 Launching from storage containers, e.g. from submarine missile tubes
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 70/70 Launching or landing using catapults, tracks or rails launching from storage containers B64U70/50
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 80/60 by wearable objects, e.g. garments or helmets
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 80/70 in containers B64U80/60 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F41A 23/42 for rocket throwers
• CPC Class Codes: F41B 11/62 with pressure supplied by a gas cartridge
• CPC Class Codes: F41B 7/00 Spring guns F41J9/18 takes precedence; catapults having a cocking device F41B3/005; catapults F41B3/02; throwing apparatus for boomerangs A63B65/08; spring-loaded devices for projecting sporting balls A63B69/407
• CPC Class Codes: F41F 3/042 the launching apparatus being used also as a transport container for the rocket F41F3/065 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F41F 3/052 Means for securing the rocket in the launching apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: F41F 7/00 Launching-apparatus for projecting missiles or projectiles otherwise than from barrels, e.g. using spigotsF41F3/04 takes precedence; centrifugal sling apparatus F41B3/04
• CPC Class Codes: F42B 10/16 Wrap-around fins
• CPC Class Codes: F42B 15/08 for carrying measuring instruments; Arrangements for mounting sensitive cargo within a projectileadaptations for meteorology G01W1/08; Arrangements for acoustic sensitive cargo within a projectile

Abstract

An unmanned aerial surveillance and reconnaissance system are disclosed wherein an unmanned aerial vehicle is launchable from a launch tube, for instance, the bore of an existing weapons system mounted on a mobile vehicle, such as a weapon barrel of a tank or armored combat vehicle and which the launch may be remotely initiated from the protected armored compartment of the mobile vehicle.

Claims

1. A launch tube deployable surveillance and reconnaissance system comprising:

a launch tube comprising a barrel,

the barrel further comprising a bore having a longitudinal axis and a muzzle aperture,

an aerial vehicle comprising at least one deformable wing element and adapted to be received within the bore, and,

an aerial vehicle propulsion means adapted to be received within the bore and adapted to propel the aerial vehicle substantially along the longitudinal axis through the muzzle aperture.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the wing element may be selectively deformed from a first orientation to a second orientation so as to be received within the bore and wherein the wing element returns to the first orientation subsequent to passing through the muzzle aperture.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein the propulsion means is comprised of the expansion of a compressed gas.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein the wing element is comprised of a flexible material.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein the launch tube is an element of an existing missile system.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein the launch tube is an element of an existing guided missile system.

7. The system of claim 1 wherein the launch tube is mounted on a mobile vehicle having a substantially enclosed operator compartment.

8. The system of claim 7 wherein the mobile vehicle further comprise the barrel of a weapons launch system.

9. A method for converting an existing weapons launch system to an aerial vehicle launch system comprising the steps of:

providing a weapons launch system comprising a barrel having a bore having a longitudinal axis and a muzzle aperture,

providing an aerial vehicle comprising at least one deformable wing element whereby the aerial vehicle may be selectively adapted to be received within the bore,

providing propulsion means adapted to be received within the bore for propulsion of the aerial vehicle substantially along the longitudinal axis through the muzzle aperture, and,

disposing the propulsion means and aerial vehicle within the bore.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein the wing element may be selectively deformed to a second orientation while received within the bore and wherein the wing element returns to a first orientation subsequent to passing through the bore.

11. The method of claim 9 wherein the propulsion means is comprised of the expansion of a compressed gas.

12. The method of claim 9 wherein the propulsion means is comprised of a spring element.

13. The method of claim 9 wherein the propulsion means is comprised of a compression element.

14. The method of claim 9 wherein the propulsion means is comprised of a tension element.

15. The method of claim 9 wherein the propulsion means is comprised of a combustion means.

16. The method of claim 9 wherein the wing element is comprised of a flexible material.

17. The method of claim 9 wherein the existing weapons launch system is comprised of a missile system.

18. The method of claim 9 wherein the existing weapons launch system is comprised of a guided missile system.

19. The method of claim 9 wherein the existing weapons launch system is mounted on a mobile vehicle having a substantially enclosed operator compartment.