Airborne tethered sensor system
First Claim
1. An airborne sensor system for placing a tethered payload in a near-stationary horizontal and vertical position at a desired location in relation to a target on the ground, comprising:
- (a) an aircraft flying in a near-circular flight path;
(b) a tether connected at a first end to the aircraft;
(c) a payload section connected to a second end of the tether; and
,(d) an electronic sensor disposed in the payload section for determining the location of the payload section in relation to the ground.
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Abstract
An airborne sensor system and method for placing a tethered payload in a near-stationary horizontal and vertical position at a desired location in relation to a target. The system includes an aircraft flying in a near-circular flight path, a tether connected at a first end to the aircraft and at a second end to a payload section, and an electronic device or devices for determining the location of the payload section. In addition, the airborne sensor system may include an apparatus for moving the payload section horizontally to the desired location and maintaining it at that location, independent of moving the aircraft.
81 Citations
32 Claims
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1. An airborne sensor system for placing a tethered payload in a near-stationary horizontal and vertical position at a desired location in relation to a target on the ground, comprising:
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(a) an aircraft flying in a near-circular flight path; (b) a tether connected at a first end to the aircraft; (c) a payload section connected to a second end of the tether; and
,(d) an electronic sensor disposed in the payload section for determining the location of the payload section in relation to the ground. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A method for placing a tethered payload in a near-stationary horizontal and vertical position at a desired location in relation to a target on the ground, comprising the steps of:
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(a) flying an aircraft in a near-circular flight path; (b) suspending a payload section from the aircraft on a tether connected at a first end to the aircraft and on a second end of the payload section; (c) determining the location of the payload section in relation to the ground using an electronic sensor disposed in the payload section; and
,(d) repositioning the payload section to minimize any difference existent between the location of the payload section and the desired location. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32)
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Specification