Pin Array Chamber Systems and Methods for Releasing and Capturing Moving Objects

• US 20160229557A1
• Filed: 11/26/2014
• Published: 08/11/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 11/26/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Target Arm Inc.
• Original Assignee: Jeffrey Alan Mcchesney
• Inventors: McChesney, Jeffrey Alan
• Granted Patent: US 9,650,156 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: 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 1/02 for arresting aircraft, e.g. nets or cables
• CPC Class Codes: B64G 1/646 Docking or rendezvous systems refueling in space B64G1/4024
• CPC Class Codes: B64G 1/66 Arrangements or adaptations of apparatus or instruments, not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 2201/10 autonomous, i.e. by navigating independently from ground or air stations, e.g. by using inertial navigation systems [INS]
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 2201/20 Remote controls
• 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

Abstract

Systems and methods for launching and recovering moving objects with a pin array chamber are disclosed herein. In one embodiment of the disclosure, a pin array chamber system releases and captures an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) while airborne. The host aircraft has an in slip-stream chamber where two opposing plates of pin arrays exert a clamping force as pins extend onto the UAV to capture or release. As the pins are retracted from a captive UAV, thereby releasing a clamping force, the UAV continues with free-flight under its own power. In reverse, the UAV using precision relative navigation moves into the pin array chamber system under its own power in free-flight, and is then captured by the extensions of the pins with a clamping force. The pin array chamber system can also be used for ground systems, naval systems, space systems and microscopic systems.

Claims

1. A pin array chamber system for release and capture of a moving object, the system comprising:

a. a host system having 2 parallel plates of pin arrays, wherein each plate has at least one pin that extends through said plate with a perpendicular extending force to at least the center of the distance between said plates, and

b. a moving object that is positioned between said pins from said plates, and

c. said pins move under said perpendicular force, comprising of release or capture of said moving object

2. The pin array chamber system of claim 1 wherein the moving object is controlled by man, comprising of onboard control or remote control

3. The pin array chamber system of claim 1 wherein the moving object is autonomously controlled by a computer algorithm from a computing module on said moving object

4. The computer algorithm of claim 3 wherein the computing module receives inputs from the host to compute precision relative navigation outputs

5. The pin array chamber system of claim 1 wherein said host is stationary to the earth'"'"'s surface

6. The pin array chamber system of claim 1 wherein the moving object comprising an aircraft system, a naval system, a ground system or a space system

8. The method of claim 6 wherein the moving object is controlled by man, comprising of onboard control or remote control

9. The method of claim 6 wherein the moving object is autonomously controlled by a computer algorithm from a computing module on said moving object

10. The computer algorithm of claim 9 wherein the computing module receives inputs from the host to compute precision navigation outputs

11. The method of claim 6 wherein said host is stationary to the earth'"'"'s surface

12. The method of claim 6 wherein the moving object comprising an aircraft system, a naval system, a ground system or a space system

7. A release and capture method comprising:

a. exerting a clamping force by a host system

b. positioning a moving object within the host system

c. cycling the clamping force on and off, whereby the moving object is released or captured