Point-landing method for non vertical take off and landing flying objects

• US 4,790,497 A
• Filed: 06/05/1987
• Issued: 12/13/1988
• Est. Priority Date: 06/05/1987
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Meir Yoffe
• Original Assignee: Meir Yoffe
• Inventors: Yoffe, Meir
• Primary Examiner(s): NOT, DEFINED
• Assistant Examiner(s): Corl, Rodney
• Application Number:
  US07/058,815
• Time in Patent Office: 557 Days
• Field of Search: 244/115, 244/116, 244/110 R, 244/110 C, 244/110 F, 244/110 G, 244/114 R
• US Class Current: 244/115
• CPC Class Codes: B64F 1/029 using a cable or tether
• 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

The present invention relates to a point landing method for a flying object, e.g., an aircraft (manned or unmanned), a helicopter, a missile, in a location which may be stationary, e.g., a ground plot or the roof of a building or a moving one, e.g., a car, ship, train.

Claims

1. A method for landing a flying object at a point location comprising:

(a) flying a flying object substantially horizontally towards a retrieval apparatus including a cable and winch mounted on the location,

(b) releasing from the flying object a trailing cable or pole carrying at its end a hooking up device,

(c) causing said hooking up device to engage the cable of the retrieval apparatus,

(d) continuing the flight of the flying object and causing the winch to unwind the cable during the continuing flight,

(e) maneuvering the flying object to a landing starting point at a reduced speed,

(f) causing the winch to pull in the cable at a rate to maintain the flying object at or above minimal safe airspeed, and

(g) catching the flying object with said retrieval apparatus.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the flying object is an aircraft.

3. A method of claim 1, wherein the flying object is a helicopter.

4. A method according to claim 1, wherein the retrieval apparatus is maintained stationary.

5. A method according to claim 1, wherein the retrieval apparatus is moved during the landing of the flying object.

6. A method according to claim 1, wherein the retrieval apparatus is maintained at a single place during the landing of the flying object.

7. A method according to claim 1, wherein the retrieval apparatus comprises several parts, and positioning said parts at several places prior to causing the hooking up device to engage said cable.

8. A method according to claim 1, wherein the relative speed is reduced by tensioning the cable and/or by maneuvering the flying object horizontally and/or vertically.

9. A method according to claim 1, wherein the minimal safe airspeed is achieved by deploying a lift and/or drag increaser.

10. A method according to claim 1, wherein the maneuvering is performed by a pilot of the flying object.

11. A method according to claim 1, wherein the maneuvering is by autonomous instrumentation.

12. A method according to claim 1, wherein the maneuvering is performed by the use of remote control apparatus.

13. A method for landing a flying object at a point location comprising:

(a) flying a flying object having thereon a winch, a cable wound on said winch, and engaging means carried by said cable,

(b) flying the flying object towards a location having thereat a cooperating engaging means and a launching means thereat,

(c) deploying said cable and engaging means from said flying object by unwinding said winch,

(d) actuating said launching device to engage said cooperating engaging means with said engaging means,

(e) continuing the flight of the flying object and causing said winch to unwind the cable during the continuing flight,

(f) maneuvering the flying object to a landing starting point at a reduced speed,

(f) causing the winch to pull in the cable at a rate to maintain the flying object at or above minimal safe airspeed, and

(g) catching the flying object with retrieval apparatus mounted at the location.