Methods and apparatuses for launching, capturing, and storing unmanned aircraft, including a container having a guide structure for aircraft components
First Claim
1. A method for handling an unmanned aircraft, comprising:
- releasably securing a portion of an unmanned aircraft to a storage apparatus;
removing a lifting surface of the aircraft using a movable portion of the storage apparatus; and
at least partially enclosing the aircraft in the storage apparatus.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Methods and apparatuses for launching, capturing, and storing unmanned aircraft and other flight devices or projectiles are described. In one embodiment, the aircraft can be assembled from a container with little or no manual engagement by an operator. The container can include a guide structure to control motion of the aircraft components. The aircraft can be launched from an apparatus that includes an extendable boom. The boom can be extended to deploy a recovery line to capture the aircraft in flight. The aircraft can then be returned to its launch platform, disassembled, and stored in the container, again with little or no direct manual contact between the operator and the aircraft.
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Citations
34 Claims
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1. A method for handling an unmanned aircraft, comprising:
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releasably securing a portion of an unmanned aircraft to a storage apparatus; removing a lifting surface of the aircraft using a movable portion of the storage apparatus; and at least partially enclosing the aircraft in the storage apparatus. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method for handling an unmanned aircraft, comprising:
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deploying a flexible recovery line from an extendable boom mounted at least proximate to a support platform; releasably capturing a first lifting surface portion of the aircraft in flight with the flexible recovery line; while the first lifting surface portion of the aircraft is releasably coupled to the flexible recovery line, securing a second lifting surface portion of the aircraft to the support platform; releasably securing at least a portion of a fuselage of the aircraft to a storage container; releasing the aircraft from the flexible recovery line and the support platform; removing at least one of the lifting surfaces of the aircraft using a movable portion of the storage container; and at least partially enclosing the aircraft in the storage container. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. A method for handling an unmanned aircraft, comprising:
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removing at least a portion of a storage apparatus at least partially enclosing an unmanned aircraft to provide access to the aircraft; attaching a lifting surface to the aircraft using a movable portion of the storage apparatus; and moving the aircraft from the storage apparatus into position for takeoff. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34)
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Specification