Launch and recovery system for unmanned aerial vehicles

• US 6,874,729 B1
• Filed: 07/24/2000
• Issued: 04/05/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 07/23/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Advanced Aerospace Technologies Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Advanced Aerospace Technologies Incorporated
• Inventors: McDonnell, William R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Swiatek, Robert P.
• Application Number:
  US10/031,925
• Time in Patent Office: 1,716 Days
• Field of Search: 244/63, 244/110.R, 244/110.C, 244/110.F
• US Class Current: 244/63
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 25/68 Arrester hooks
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 39/024 of the remote controlled vehicle type, i.e. RPV
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 3/00 Aircraft adaptations to facilitate towing or being towed B64D39/00 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B64F 1/02 for arresting aircraft, e.g. nets or cables
• CPC Class Codes: B64F 1/04 for launching aircraft
• CPC Class Codes: B64F 1/10 using self-propelled vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 10/25 Fixed-wing aircraft VTOL aircraft B64U10/20
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 30/10 Wings
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 50/13 using external fans or propellers
• 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 70/70 Launching or landing using catapults, tracks or rails launching from storage containers B64U70/50
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 80/84 Waterborne vehicles

Abstract

A method of launching and retrieving a UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) (10). The preferred method of launch involves carrying the UAV (10) up to altitude using a parasail (8) similar to that used to carry tourists aloft. The UAV is dropped and picks up enough airspeed in the dive to perform a pull-up into level controlled flight. The preferred method of recovery is for the UAV to fly into and latch onto the parasail tow line (4) or cables hanging off the tow line and then be winched back down to the boat (2).

Claims

1. An aerial launch system for an aircraft, said system comprising:

a lifting apparatus for carrying said aircraft to an elevated altitude,

a tow line connecting said lifting apparatus to a base structure, and automated launching means,

said launching means being adapted to carry said aircraft to said elevated altitude and release said aircraft for flight mode, said base structure comprising a transportable conveyance comprising a water craft capable of creating a relative wind through forward movement sufficient to provide lift to said lifting apparatus.

2. The aerial launch system of claim 1 in which a winch is provided to facilitate aerial deployment and recovery of said tow line, said winch enabling said lifting apparatus to be maintained at variable altitudes.

3. An aerial launch system for an aircraft, said system comprising:

a lifting apparatus for carrying said aircraft to an elevated altitude,

a tow line connecting said lifting apparatus to a base structure, and

launching means,

said launching means being adapted to carry said aircraft to said elevated altitude and release said aircraft for flight mode, in which a winch is provided to facilitate aerial deployment and recovery of said tow line, said winch enabling said lifting apparatus to be maintained at variable altitudes and pulleys are provided for varying the point of deployment of said tow line from said base structure.

4. An aerial recovery system for an aircraft, said system comprising:

a lifting apparatus for carrying said recovery system to an elevated altitude,

a tow line connecting said aerial apparatus to a base structure, and

arrestment means;

said lifting apparatus being aerially deployed from said base structure, said arrestment means being adapted to capture and retain said aircraft from mid-air flight, said tow line enabling said lifting apparatus and said captured aircraft to be pulled back to said base structure in which said lifting apparatus is a lighter-than-air balloon in combination with a lifting device requiring a relative wind to generate lift.

5. An aerial recovery system for an aircraft, said system comprising:

an arrestment line held up at at least one end,

said aircraft containing a device for capturing said line,

said aircraft containing structure suitable for deflecting said line laterally into engagement with said capturing device, said structure comprising a wing of said aircraft, a sensor being attached to said recovery system near the point of engagement of said aircraft to said recovery system, for guidance in maneuvering said aircraft into engagement with said recovery system.

6. An aerial recovery system for an aircraft, said system comprising:

a net, a draw string that passes around the periphery of said net and is slidably attached at points around the periphery of said net, a support system sufficient to carry the weight of the net and the aircraft, said draw string is connected to said support system and said draw string is suitable for pulling the periphery of the net together around the back of said aircraft to encapsulate said aircraft during arrestment.

7. An aerial recovery system for an aircraft, said system comprising:

an aerial apparatus for carrying said recovery system to an elevated altitude, a net to capture said aircraft, said net has at least three attach points spaced around the periphery of said net, lines attached to each of said net attach points extend up to support said net and aircraft from said aerial apparatus, the load on said lines during and after arrestment holds the net around said aircraft to help retain said aircraft.

8. An aerial recovery system for an aircraft, said system comprising:

an arrestment line held up at at least one end,

said aircraft containing a device for capturing said line,

said aircraft containing structure suitable for deflecting said line laterally into engagement with said capturing device, said structure comprising a wing of said aircraft, said structure being swept aft five degrees or more to reliably deflect said arrestment line to said capturing device.

9. The aerial recovery system of claim 8 where said line is held up by a lifting apparatus.

10. The aerial recovery system of claim 8 where said capturing device is a hook.

11. The aerial recovery system of claim 10 where said hook has a line retaining device.

12. The aerial recovery system of claim 8 in which said structure is swept aft fifteen degrees or more to reliably deflect said arrestment line to said capturing device.

13. The aerial recovery system of claim 8 in which said structure is swept aft 10 degrees or more to reliably deflect said arrestment line to said capturing device.

14. An aerial recovery system for an aircraft, said system comprising:

an arrestment line held up at at least one end,

said aircraft containing a device for capturing said line,

said aircraft containing structure suitable for deflecting said line laterally into engagement with said capturing device, said structure comprising a wing of said aircraft, a leading edge of said structure sweeping aft five degrees or more to reliably deflect said arrestment line to said capturing device.

15. The aerial recovery system of claim 14 in which the leading edge of said structure sweeps aft more than fifteen degrees to reliably deflect said arrestment line to said capturing device.

16. The aerial recovery system of claim 14 in which the leading edge of said structure sweeps aft more than 10 degrees to reliably deflect said arrestment line to said capturing device.

17. The aerial recovery system of claim 14 in which said line is supported in the air by a rotor.

18. The aerial recovery system of claim 14 in which said line is held up by a boom that can rotate about a generally vertical axis.

19. The aerial recovery system of claim 14 in which said line is supported in the air by an aircraft.

20. The recovery system of claim 14 wherein the arrestment line is held up by a device selected from the group consisting of a balloon, an aircraft, a lifting device requiring a relative wind to generate lift, and a beam.

21. The recovery system of claim 20 where said arrestment line is held up by a beam, the beam comprising a boom.

22. An aerial recovery system for an aircraft, said system comprising:

an arrestment line held up at at least one end,

said aircraft containing a device for capturing said line,

said aircraft containing structure suitable for deflecting said line laterally into engagement with said capturing device, said structure comprising a wing of said aircraft, said capturing device being located generally over the center of gravity of the vehicle when the wings are level so that the aircraft is held in a level attitude after arrestment.

23. An aerial recovery system for an aircraft, said system comprising:

an arrestment line held up at at least one end,

said aircraft containing a device for capturing said line,

said aircraft containing structure suitable for deflecting said line laterally into engagement with said capturing device, said structure comprising a wing of said aircraft, said system being designed to rotate said aircraft to a generally wings level position and hold said aircraft in said wings level position.

24. An aerial recovery system for an aircraft, said system comprising:

an arrestment line held up at at least one end,

said aircraft containing a device for capturing said line,

said aircraft containing structure suitable for deflecting said line laterally into engagement with said capturing device, said structure comprising a wing of said aircraft, wherein said line is supported in the air by another line strung generally horizontally between two supports.

25. A method for capturing a flying object, comprising the steps of:

a) suspending a linear or curvilinear fixture across the flight path of the object in a generally vertical orientation, or otherwise in an orientation which includes a component normal to the flight path;

b) guiding the object to strike the fixture;

c) allowing the subsequent motion of the object to slide the fixture along a wing or spanwise lifting surface of the flying object, the wing or spanwise lifting surface being swept five degrees or more;

d) intercepting the sliding of the fixture by one or more hooks attached to the wing or spanwise lifting surface of the flying object;

e) decelerating the flying object under the restraint of the fixture; and

f) removing the flying object from the fixture.

26. A method for capturing a flying object, comprising the steps of:

a) suspending a fixture across the flight path of the object in a generally vertical orientation, or otherwise in an orientation which includes a component normal to the flight path, such that the suspension of the fixture is kept clear of said flight path by a distance greater than the height or width of said flying object;

b) guiding the object to strike said fixture;

c) intercepting the fixture by one or more hooks attached to a wing or spanwise lifting surface of the flying object, the wing or spanwise lifting surface having a sweep of greater than five degrees;

d) decelerating the flying object under the restraint of the fixture; and

e) removing the flying object from the fixture.

27. The method of claim 26 with the additional step between steps d) and e) of quickly taking out the slack in the fixture.

28. The method of claim 27 in which the slack in the fixture is taken out by a device that pulls on the fixture.

29. In combination, a flying object and an apparatus for capturing the flying object, the combination comprising:

a) means for suspending a fixture across the flight path of the object in a generally vertical orientation, or otherwise in an orientation which includes a component normal to the flight path, such that the suspension of the fixture is kept clear of said flight path by a distance greater than the height or width of said flying object;

b) means for suspending the fixture; and

c) means attached to a wing or spanwise lifting surface of the flying object for intercepting the fixture;

the combination additionally including a device to rapidly take out the slack in the fixture after engagement of said aircraft to said fixture, said device being located further down the flight path of said flying object than the suspension point of said fixture.

30. A method for launching and recovering an unmanned aircraft, said method comprising steps of:

lifting said aircraft to an elevated altitude by means of a lifting apparatus,

connecting said lifting apparatus to a base structure by a tow line,

launching said aircraft at said elevated altitude, and

maneuvering said aircraft into arrestment means while in flight.

31. An aerial recovery system for an aircraft, said system comprising:

an arrestment line held up at at least one end,

said aircraft containing a device for capturing said line,

said aircraft containing structure suitable for deflecting said line laterally into engagement with said capturing device, wherein said structure is a wing and wherein said wing is swept five degrees or more.

32. The aerial recovery system of claim 31 in which the capturing device is located inboard of the aircraft'"'"'s wingtip.

33. The aerial recovery system of claim 32 in which the capturing device is located inboard more than 5% of the wing semi-span.

34. The aerial recovery system of claim 31 in which multiple generally vertically oriented arrestment lines are spaced apart across the direction of travel of said aircraft as it approaches for recovery so as to increase the lateral capture envelope of said recovery system.

35. The recovery system of claim 31 wherein said wing is swept forward.

36. An aerial recovery system for an aircraft, said system comprising:

an arrestment line held up at at least one end,

said aircraft containing a device for capturing said line,

said aircraft containing structure suitable for deflecting said line laterally into engagement with said capturing device, said structure comprising a wing of said aircraft, wherein said structure includes a leading edge swept at least fifteen degrees.

37. An aerial recovery system for an aircraft, said system comprising:

an arrestment line held up at at least one end,

said aircraft containing a device for capturing said line,

said aircraft containing structure suitable for deflecting said line laterally into engagement with said capturing device, said structure comprising a wing of said aircraft, wherein said structure includes a leading edge swept forward at least twenty degrees.

38. The aerial recovery system of claim 37 in which said capturing device is positioned on a forward inboard edge of a wing of said aircraft.

39. An aerial recovery system for a heavier-than-air aircraft, said system comprising,

the aircraft;

and

an arrestment line held up at at least one end,

said aircraft comprising a capturing device for capturing said line and structure suitable for deflecting said line laterally into engagement with said capturing device, wherein said capturing device is located generally over the center of gravity of the vehicle when the wings are level so that the aircraft is held in a level attitude after arrestment.

40. A method for capturing a flying object comprising:

allowing a spanwise lifting surface of a flying object to strike a fixture positioned at an angle relative to the spanwise lifting surface while imparting a decelerating force to the flying object;

releasably engaging the fixture with a capture device on the flying object; and

retrieving the flying object, wherein the lifting surface of the flying object is selected to be swept five degrees or more.

41. A method for capturing a flying object comprising:

allowing a spanwise lifting surface of a flying object to strike a fixture positioned at an angle relative to the spanwise lifting surface while imparting a decelerating force to the flying object;

releasably engaging the fixture with a capture device on the flying object; and

retrieving the flying object, wherein a forward edge of the lifting surface is swept forward or back by at least fifteen degrees.

42. A method for capturing a flying object comprising:

positioning a fixture in a flight path of the flying object such that the fixture is inclined at an angle relative to a spanwise lifting surface of the flying object;

guiding a lateral deflecting structure of the flying object to strike the fixture while imparting a decelerating force to the flying object, the lateral deflecting structure comprising a wing of the flying object and having at least a 15 degree swept back or 20 degree swept forward angle;

releasably engaging the fixture with a capture device on the flying object; and

retrieving the flying object.

43. The method of claim 42 wherein the lateral deflecting structure is a leading edge of the wing.

44. In combination:

an aircraft comprising at least one wing swept aft at least five degrees, and a capture device mounted on an outboard portion of the at least one wing, and

a fixture positionable in a flight path of the aircraft such that the fixture is inclined at an angle relative to the at least one wing of the aircraft to permit the fixture to intercept a leading edge of the at least one wing and to guide the fixture into connection with the capture device.

45. A flying object comprising a spanwise lifting surface, a lateral deflecting structure comprising the spanwise lifting surface, the lateral deflecting structure having at least a 15 degree swept back or 20 degree swept forward angle, and a capture device adjacent the lateral deflecting structure, the capture device comprising a hook and a latch.