MULTICOPTER-ASSISTED SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR LAUNCHING AND RETRIEVING A FIXED-WING AIRCRAFT

• US 20170327212A1
• Filed: 02/14/2017
• Published: 11/16/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 04/02/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hood Technology Corporation
• Original Assignee: Hood Technology Corporation
• Inventors: von Flotow, Andreas H., Roeseler, Corydon C.
• Granted Patent: US 10,501,176 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 2027/003 mounted on rotor hub, e.g. a rotary force generator
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 25/08 non-fixed, e.g. jettisonable
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 27/001 Vibration damping devices
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 27/08 with two or more rotors
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 27/26 characterised by provision of fixed wings
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 27/32 Rotors
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 27/48 Root attachment to rotor head
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 39/024 of the remote controlled vehicle type, i.e. RPV
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 1/00 Dropping, ejecting, releasing, or receiving articles, liquids, or the like, in flight with respect to weapon sights devices F41G takes precedence, parachutes per se B64D17/00; ejectable seats B64D25/10; ejectable capsules B64D25/12; refuelling during flight B64D39/00; launching apparatus for projecting projectiles or missiles F41F1/00, F41F7/00; rocket or torpedo launchers F41F3/00
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 1/02 Dropping, ejecting, or releasing articles jettisonable fuel reservoirs B64D37/12
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 1/12 Releasing
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 3/00 Aircraft adaptations to facilitate towing or being towed B64D39/00 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 35/02 specially adapted for specific power plants
• 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 1/029 using a cable or tether
• CPC Class Codes: B64F 1/0295 aerodynamically or aerostatically supported, e.g. parafoil or balloon
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 10/10 Rotorcrafts
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 10/13 Flying platforms
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 10/14 with four distinct rotor axes, e.g. quadcopters
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 10/25 Fixed-wing aircraft VTOL aircraft B64U10/20
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 2101/00 : UAVs specially adapted for particular uses or applications
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 2101/67 : the UAVs comprising tethers for lowering the goods
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 2201/20 : Remote controls
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 30/20 : Rotors; Rotor supports
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 50/19 : using electrically powered motors
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 70/20 : for releasing or capturing UAVs in flight by another aircraft
• 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 80/70 : in containers B64U80/60 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 25/10 : Devices to locate articles in containers for protecting articles from mechanical damage B65D81/02
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2585/687 : aircrafts
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 85/68 : for machines, engines or vehicles in assembled or dismantled form

Abstract

The present disclosure provides various embodiments of a multicopter-assisted launch and retrieval system generally including: (1) a multi-rotor modular multicopter attachable to (and detachable from) a fixed-wing aircraft to facilitate launch of the fixed-wing aircraft into wing-borne flight; (2) a storage and launch system usable to store the modular multicopter and to facilitate launch of the fixed-wing aircraft into wing-borne flight; and (3) an anchor system usable (along with the multicopter and a flexible capture member) to retrieve the fixed-wing aircraft from wing-borne flight.

Claims

1. A multicopter comprising:

multiple arms each having a longitudinal axis;

a hub base to which the arms are attachable, wherein a first plane passes through the hub base and includes the longitudinal axes of the arms when the arms are attached to the hub base; and

a saddle attached to the hub base, wherein a second plane passes through the saddle, wherein part of the saddle is movable relative to the hub base to vary an angle formed between the second plane and the first plane.

2. The multicopter of claim 1, wherein the saddle is below the hub base.

3. The multicopter of claim 1, wherein the part of the saddle is movable relative to the hub base between a first position and a second position.

4. The multicopter of claim 3, wherein the angle is about 0 degrees when the part of the saddle is in the first position such that the second plane and the first plane are generally parallel.

5. The multicopter of claim 3, wherein the angle is about 10 degrees when the part of the saddle is in the second position such that the second plane intersects the first plane.

6. The multicopter of claim 1, which includes at least one locking device having a locked configuration in which part of the locking device contacts the part of the saddle to prevent the part of the saddle from moving relative to the hub base.

7. A multicopter comprising:

a hub base;

multiple arms each having a longitudinal axis and each being removably attachable to the hub base, wherein a first plane passes through the hub base and generally includes the longitudinal axes of the arms when the arms are attached to the hub base; and

a saddle having a first portion attached to the hub base and a second portion pivotably attached to the first portion, wherein a second plane passes through the second portion of the saddle, the second portion being pivotable relative to the first portion between a first position and a second position to vary an angle formed between the second plane and the first plane.

8. The multicopter of claim 7, wherein the angle is about 0 degrees when the second portion of the saddle is in the first position such that the second plane and the first plane are generally parallel.

9. The multicopter of claim 7, wherein the angle is about 10 degrees when the second portion of the saddle is in the second position such that the second plane intersects the first plane.

10. The multicopter of claim 7, which includes at least one locking device having a locked configuration in which part of the locking device contacts the second portion of the saddle to prevent the second portion of the saddle from moving relative to the hub base.

11. The multicopter of claim 10, wherein the second portion of the saddle is pivotably attached to the first portion of the saddle near one end of the second portion and is also attached to the first portion near an opposing end of the second portion via the at least one locking device.

12. The multicopter of claim 11, which includes a first locking device and a second locking device.

13. The multicopter of claim 12, wherein the first portion of the saddle includes two generally parallel, spaced apart first and second sides that respectively define first and second adjustment slots.

14. The multicopter of claim 13, wherein a portion of the first locking device extends through the first adjustment slot and a portion of the second locking device extends through the second adjustment slot.

15. A method for preparing a multicopter for flight, the method comprising:

attaching multiple arms to a hub base of the multicopter;

pivoting part of a saddle relative to the hub base to establish a desired angle between a plane passing through the hub base and a plane passing through the saddle, wherein the plane passing through the hub base generally includes longitudinal axes of the arms; and

locking the part of the saddle relative to the hub base.

16. The method of claim 15, which includes attaching the arms to the hub base after pivoting the part of the saddle relative to the hub base.

17. The method of claim 15, which includes attaching a fixed-wing aircraft to the part of the saddle.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein a pitch angle of the fixed-wing aircraft is generally equal to the desired angle between the plane passing through the hub base and the plane passing through the saddle.

19. The method of claim 17, which includes attaching the fixed-wing aircraft to the part of the saddle before attaching the arms to the hub base.

20. The method of claim 19, which includes attaching the fixed-wing aircraft to the part of the saddle before pivoting the portion of the saddle relative to the hub base.