APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR LAUNCH AND RETRIEVAL OF A HOVERING AIRCRAFT

• US 20150239578A1
• Filed: 06/26/2014
• Published: 08/27/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 09/23/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Aerovel Corporation
• Original Assignee: Aerovel Corporation
• Inventors: McGeer, Brian T.
• Granted Patent: US 9,434,481 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 39/024 of the remote controlled vehicle type, i.e. RPV
• CPC Class Codes: B64F 1/0297 adjustable to align with aircraft trajectory
• CPC Class Codes: B64F 1/0299 characterized by the use of multiple devices
• CPC Class Codes: B64F 1/04 for launching aircraft
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 10/13 Flying platforms
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 70/00 Launching, take-off or landing arrangements
• 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 80/10 with means for moving the UAV to a supply or launch location, e.g. robotic arms or carousels
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 80/20 with arrangements for servicing the UAV
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 901/02 Arm motion controller
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 901/31 Gripping jaw

Abstract

Various embodiments of the present disclosure provide an apparatus and method for launch and retrieval of a hovering aircraft. Generally, the apparatus of the present disclosure is configured to capture a hovering aircraft between two or more fingers of an aircraft capturer, guide the captured aircraft into a docking station for servicing and/or storage, and launch the aircraft from the docking station. The apparatus of the present disclosure is thus configured to bring the aircraft from an imprecise, irregular hover into a secure and well-controlled rest state. The tolerance of imprecision provided by the apparatus makes it particularly suited for use under a practical conditions such as aboard a small boat in a rough sea.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising:

an aircraft capturer; and

a controller configured to operate with the aircraft capturer to;

(a) detect movement of a hovering aircraft;

(b) automatically cause the aircraft capturer to move in a manner corresponding to the detected movement of the aircraft; and

(c) when a position of the aircraft relative to the aircraft capturer is within a designated range of positions, automatically cause the aircraft capturer to capture the aircraft.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the aircraft capturer includes a plurality of fingers.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the controller is configured to operate with the aircraft capturer to cause the aircraft capturer to capture the aircraft by moving the fingers toward one another to capture a portion of the aircraft between the fingers.

4. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein each of the fingers includes:

(a) a support, (b) a cushioned material at least partially surrounding the support, and (c) a protective coating disposed on an outer surface of the cushioned material.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to operate with the aircraft capturer to evade the hovering aircraft.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, which includes:

a rotatable base;

a lower arm connected at a first end to the base; and

an upper arm connected at a first end to a second end of the lower arm and connected at a second end to the aircraft capturer.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the controller is configured to operate with the base, the lower arm, and the upper arm to cause the aircraft capturer to move by controlling movement of the base, the lower arm, and the upper arm.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, which includes one or more sensors configured to measure the position of the aircraft relative to the aircraft capturer.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to operate with the aircraft capturer to automatically cause the aircraft capturer to move in a manner corresponding to the detected movement of the aircraft if the detected movement exceeds a designated threshold.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the detected movement is one of:

(a) movement along a substantially horizontal plane, (b) movement along a substantially vertical plane, and (c) a combination of (a) and (b).

11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to operate with the aircraft capturer to maintain a designated distance between the aircraft capturer and the aircraft.

12. An apparatus comprising:

an aircraft capturer including a plurality of fingers; and

a controller configured to operate with the aircraft capturer to;

(a) detect movement of a hovering aircraft;

(b) automatically cause the aircraft capturer to move in a manner corresponding to the detected movement of the aircraft; and

(c) when a position of the aircraft relative to the aircraft capturer is within a designated range of positions, automatically cause the aircraft capturer to capture the aircraft by moving the fingers toward one another to capture a portion of the aircraft between the fingers.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the controller is configured to operate with the aircraft capturer to evade the hovering aircraft.

14. The apparatus of claim 12, which includes:

a rotatable base;

a lower arm connected at a first end to the base; and

a upper arm connected at a first end to a second end of the lower arm and connected at a second end to the aircraft capturer.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the controller is configured to operate with the base, the lower arm, and the upper arm to cause the aircraft capturer to move by controlling movement of the base, the lower arm, and the upper arm.

16. The apparatus of claim 12, which includes one or more sensors configured to measure the position of the aircraft relative to the aircraft capturer.

17. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the controller is configured to operate with the aircraft capturer to automatically cause the aircraft capturer to move in a manner corresponding to the detected movement of the aircraft if the detected movement exceeds a designated threshold.

18. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the detected movement is one of:

(a) movement along a substantially horizontal plane, (b) movement along a substantially vertical plane, and (c) a combination of (a) and (b).

19. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the controller is configured to operate with the aircraft capturer to maintain a designated distance between the aircraft capturer and the aircraft.

20. An apparatus comprising:

an aircraft capturer including a plurality of fingers;

one or more sensors configured to measure a position of a hovering aircraft relative to the aircraft capturer; and

a controller configured to operate with the aircraft capturer to;

(a) detect movement of the aircraft, wherein the detected movement is one of;

(i) movement along a substantially horizontal plane, (ii) movement along a substantially vertical plane, and (iii) a combination thereof;

(b) if the detected movement exceeds a designated threshold, automatically cause the aircraft capturer to move in a manner corresponding to the detected movement of the aircraft while maintaining a designated distance between the aircraft capturer and the aircraft; and

(c) when a position of the aircraft relative to the aircraft capturer is within a designated range of positions, automatically cause the aircraft capturer to capture the aircraft by moving the fingers toward one another to capture a portion of the aircraft between the fingers.