Methods and apparatuses for launching airborne devices along flexible elongated members
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An apparatus for launching an airborne device, comprising:
- a support that is articulated and movable between a first position and second position;
at least one flexible, elongated member having a first portion coupled to the support at a first attachment site and a second portion coupled at a second attachment site spaced apart from the first attachment site, the at least one flexible, elongated member being tensioned and aligned along a launch path;
a launch cradle carried by the at least one flexible, elongated member, the launch cradle being movable relative to the at least one flexible, elongated member along the launch path, the launch cradle having a carrier positioned to support the airborne device as the cradle moves along the launch path; and
a coupling connected between the support and the launch cradle to move the launch cradle along the launch path as the support moves between the first and second positions.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Methods and apparatuses for cable launching airborne devices (e.g., unmanned aircraft) are disclosed. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes an elongated structure, e.g., a tower, boom or derrick. At least one flexible elongated member (e.g., a cable or rope) can be attached toward one end to the structure and toward another end to the ground or another structure to form an elongated launch path. A cradle, which can carry the airborne device, can also be movably attached to the flexible elongated member and can be accelerated along the launch path. As the cradle decelerates, the aircraft can be released into flight.
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Citations
36 Claims
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1. An apparatus for launching an airborne device, comprising:
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a support that is articulated and movable between a first position and second position; at least one flexible, elongated member having a first portion coupled to the support at a first attachment site and a second portion coupled at a second attachment site spaced apart from the first attachment site, the at least one flexible, elongated member being tensioned and aligned along a launch path; a launch cradle carried by the at least one flexible, elongated member, the launch cradle being movable relative to the at least one flexible, elongated member along the launch path, the launch cradle having a carrier positioned to support the airborne device as the cradle moves along the launch path; and a coupling connected between the support and the launch cradle to move the launch cradle along the launch path as the support moves between the first and second positions. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. An apparatus for launching an unmanned aircraft, comprising:
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a support having a first portion and a second portion pivotably coupled to the first portion, the second portion being movable relative to the first portion between a first position and a second position; at least one flexible, elongated member having a first portion coupled to the support at a first attachment site and a second portion coupled at a second attachment site spaced apart from the first attachment site, the at least one flexible, elongated member being tensioned and aligned along a launch path; a launch cradle carried by the at least one flexible, elongated member, the launch cradle being movable relative to the at least one elongated member along the launch path, the launch cradle having a carrier positioned to support the unmanned aircraft as the cradle moves along the launch path, the carrier including a first pair of grippers positioned to contact a first wing of the aircraft and a second pair of grippers positioned to contact a second wing of the aircraft, each pair of grippers being automatically movable between an engaged position and a disengaged position as the cradle decelerates along the launch path; and a coupling connected between the second portion of the support and the cradle to accelerate the cradle along the launch path as the second portion of the support moves from the first position to the second position. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. An apparatus for launching an airborne device, comprising:
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support means, the support means being articulated and movable between a first position and a second position; flexible, elongated guide means for guiding the airborne device during launch, the flexible elongated guide means being coupled to the support means; carrier means for releasably carrying the airborne device during launch, the carrier means being in contact with the flexible, elongated guide means and movable relative to the flexible, elongated guide means along the launch path; and a coupling connected between the support means and the carrier means to move the carrier means along the launch oath as the support means moves between the first and second positions. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. A method for launching an airborne device, comprising:
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releasably carrying the airborne device with a cradle prior to launch; accelerating the cradle along at least one flexible, elongated member aligned with a launch path by moving an articulated support between a first position and second position while the support member is coupled to the cradle; decelerating the cradle; and releasing the airborne device from the cradle for flight. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31)
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32. A method for launching an unmanned aircraft, comprising:
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suspending a flexible, elongated member from a support structure having a first portion and a second portion pivotably coupled to the first portion; suspending a cradle from the flexible, elongated member; tensioning the at least one flexible, elongated member; coupling a towline between the cradle and the second portion of the support structure; releasably carrying the unmanned aircraft on the cradle by releasably engaging wings of the unmanned aircraft with grippers carried by the cradle; accelerating the cradle along the at least one flexible, elongated member by pivoting the second portion of the support structure relative to the first portion; releasing the grippers from the unmanned aircraft by rapidly decelerating the cradle; releasing the unmanned aircraft from the cradle for flight; and after releasing the unmanned aircraft, releasing tension in the at least one flexible elongated member and stowing the at least one flexible elongated member. - View Dependent Claims (33, 34)
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35. An a apparatus for launching an airborne device comprising:
- a support;
at least one flexible, elongated member having a first portion coupled to the support at a first attachment site and a second portion coupled at a second attachment site spaced apart from the first attachment site, the at least one flexible, elongated member being tensioned and aligned along a launch path; and a launch cradle carried by the at least one flexible, elongated member, the launch cradle being movable relative to the at least one flexible, elongated member along the launch path, the launch cradle having a carrier positioned to support the airborne device as the cradle moves along the launch path, wherein the airborne device includes an unmanned aircraft having at least one wing, and wherein the carrier includes a gripper positioned to releasably and directly grip the at least one wing, the gripper being automatically changeable from a first configuration to a second configuration as the cradle decelerates along the launch path, the gripper being engaged with the at least one wing in the first configuration, the gripper being disengaged from the at least one wing to release the aircraft when in the second configuration.
- a support;
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36. An apparatus for launching an airborne device, comprising:
- a support;
at least one flexible, elongated member having a first portion coupled to the support at a first attachment site and a second portion coupled at a second attachment site spaced apart from the first attachment site, the at least one flexible, elongated member being tensioned and aligned along a launch path; and a launch cradle carried by the at least one flexible, elongated member, the launch cradle being movable relative to the at least one flexible, elongated member along the launch path, the launch cradle having a carrier positioned to support the airborne device as the cradle moves along the launch path, wherein the airborne device includes an unmanned aircraft having at least one wing, and wherein the carrier includes a gripper positioned to releasably and directly grip the at least one wing, the gripper having a first arm and a second arm pivotably coupled to the first arm, the gripper further having a weight operatively coupled to one of the arms, the weight being positioned to swing the one arm away from the other when the cradle decelerates.
- a support;
Specification