AIRCRAFT DEPLOYMENT AND RETRIEVAL OF UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLES
First Claim
1. An aircraft system comprising:
- a first aircraft havinga grappling device includinga first gripper operatively attached to a first actuator;
a second gripper operatively attached to a second actuator independent from the first actuator, the first gripper and the second gripper being operatively attached and configured to move between an open and a closed position to engage a hooking device, the first gripper and the second gripper being additionally configured to pivot together to change a capture angle; and
a first controller configured to receive a command, operating the first and second actuators in response to the command to selectively open and close the first and second grippers of the grappling device, the controller being configured to receive a second command, to operate the first and second actuators to pivot the grippers and provide grappling at a range of capture angles.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An aircraft system incorporates a first aircraft having a grappling device including a first gripper with a first actuator and a second gripper with a second actuator. The first gripper and the second gripper are movable between an open and a closed position to engage a hooking device and pivot together to change a capture angle. A first controller receives a command and operates the actuators in response to open and close the first and second grippers of the grappling device. The controller also receives a second command and operates the first and second actuators to pivot the grippers and provide grappling at a range of capture angles. A second aircraft, which may be a UAV, incorporates the hooking device. The hooking device includes a ring rotatable from the surface and a third actuator to rotate the ring between a stowed and an extended position.
44 Citations
21 Claims
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1. An aircraft system comprising:
a first aircraft having a grappling device including a first gripper operatively attached to a first actuator; a second gripper operatively attached to a second actuator independent from the first actuator, the first gripper and the second gripper being operatively attached and configured to move between an open and a closed position to engage a hooking device, the first gripper and the second gripper being additionally configured to pivot together to change a capture angle; and a first controller configured to receive a command, operating the first and second actuators in response to the command to selectively open and close the first and second grippers of the grappling device, the controller being configured to receive a second command, to operate the first and second actuators to pivot the grippers and provide grappling at a range of capture angles. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. An Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) deployment and retrieval system comprising:
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an aircraft having a grappling device, and a carousel adapted to receive and store a plurality, of UAVs and positionable for deployment of a selected UAV, each UAV in said plurality of UAVs having a hooking device adapted for engagement by the grappling device; a mission controller receiving a mission requirement and selecting a respective one of said plurality of UAVs; a carousel controller responsive to the mission controller for aligning the respective one UAV for deployment; and
,a grappling device controller responsive to the mission controller for retrieving a UAV with the grappling device. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14)
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15. A method of deploying a selected UAV, the method comprising:
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receiving a command to deploy a UAV having a particular capability; selecting a UAV from a plurality of UAVs having the particular capability; and deploying the selected UAV, - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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Specification