Methods and apparatuses for launching unmanned aircraft, including methods and apparatuses for launching aircraft with a wedge action
First Claim
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1. An apparatus for launching an unmanned aircraft, comprising:
- a first launch member;
a second launch member positioned at least proximate to the first launch member, at least one of the first and second launch members being movable relative to the other between a first position and a second position; and
a launch carriage having an aircraft support positioned to releasably carry an unmanned aircraft during a takeoff operation, the launch carriage touching the launch members and being movable relative to the launch members between a first launch carriage location and a second launch carriage location as the at least one of the first and second launch members moves from the first position to the second position, wherein the launch carriage moves in a first direction between the first launch carriage location and the second launch carriage location, and wherein the at least one launch member moves in a second direction transverse to the first direction between the first position and the second position.
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Abstract
Methods and apparatuses for launching unmanned aircraft and other flight devices or projectiles are described. In one embodiment, the aircraft can be launched from an apparatus that operates with a wedge action. A launch carriage carrying an unmanned aircraft is positioned on first and second launch members. At least one of the launch members moves relative to the other from a first position to a second position, causing the launch carriage to move from a first launch carriage position to a second launch carriage position. As the launch carriage moves, it accelerates the aircraft and releases the aircraft for takeoff.
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Citations
35 Claims
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1. An apparatus for launching an unmanned aircraft, comprising:
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a first launch member; a second launch member positioned at least proximate to the first launch member, at least one of the first and second launch members being movable relative to the other between a first position and a second position; and a launch carriage having an aircraft support positioned to releasably carry an unmanned aircraft during a takeoff operation, the launch carriage touching the launch members and being movable relative to the launch members between a first launch carriage location and a second launch carriage location as the at least one of the first and second launch members moves from the first position to the second position, wherein the launch carriage moves in a first direction between the first launch carriage location and the second launch carriage location, and wherein the at least one launch member moves in a second direction transverse to the first direction between the first position and the second position. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. An apparatus for launching an unmanned aircraft, comprising:
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a support structure; a first launch member fixed relative to the support structure; a second launch member coupled to the support structure, the second launch member being movable relative to the support structure and the first launch member; an actuator coupled to the second launch member and positioned to move the second launch member relative to the first launch member from a first position to a second position; and a launch carriage having an aircraft support positioned to releasably carry an unmanned aircraft during a takeoff operation, the launch carriage being in direct contact with the first and second launch members and being movable relative to the first and second launch members between a first launch carriage location and a second launch carriage location as the second launch member moves from the first position to the second position, wherein the first launch member includes a first surface in contact with the launch carriage, and wherein the second launch member includes a second surface in contact with the launch carriage, the second surface having a first portion oriented at a first angle relative to the first surface to accelerate the launch carriage, the second surface having a second portion oriented at a second angle relative to the first surface to decelerate the launch carriage, the second angle being different than the first angle. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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27. An apparatus for launching an unmanned aircraft, comprising:
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a first launch member; a second launch member pivotally coupled to the first launch member, at least one of the first and second launch members being pivotable relative to the other between a first position and a second position; an actuator coupled to the at least one launch member and positioned to pivot the at least one launch member from the first position to the second position; and a launch carriage having an aircraft support positioned to releasably carry an unmanned aircraft during a takeoff operation, the launch carriage being in contact with the first and second launch members, the launch carriage being forced to move relative to the launch members between a first launch carriage location and a second launch carriage location as the at least one launch member moves from the first position to the second position. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34)
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35. An apparatus for launching an unmanned aircraft, comprising:
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a first launch member; a second launch member positioned at least proximate to the first launch member, at least one of the first and second launch members being movable relative to the other between a first position and a second position; and a launch carriage having an aircraft support positioned to releasably carry an unmanned aircraft during a takeoff operation, the launch carriage being in contact with the first and second launch members, the launch carriage being movable relative to the launch members in a first direction between a first launch carriage location and a second launch carriage location as the at least one of the first and second launch members moves from the first position to the second position in a second direction transverse to the first direction.
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Specification