UAV arresting hook for use with UAV recovery system

• US 7,143,976 B2
• Filed: 02/04/2005
• Issued: 12/05/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 02/04/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation (Martin Marietta Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation (Martin Marietta Corporation)
• Inventors: Snediker, John, Corboy, Grant W., Watts, Michael A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Collins, Timothy D.
• Application Number:
  US11/051,842
• Publication Number:
  US 20060175466A1
• Time in Patent Office: 669 Days
• Field of Search: 244/110.C, 244/110.F, 244/110.G, 244/110.R
• US Class Current: 244/110.00G
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 25/68 Arrester hooks
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 39/028 Micro-sized aircraft
• CPC Class Codes: B64F 1/029 using a cable or tether
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 2101/30 for imaging, photography or videography
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 30/10 Wings
• 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

Abstract

A UAV arresting hook is disclosed. The arresting hook facilitates the capture of a UAV via a UAV recovery system. In the illustrative embodiment, the arresting hook has a rotation block, an arm, and a plurality of latches that are disposed on the arm. The arm is coupled to the UAV via the rotation block, which provides two rotational degrees of freedom to the arm. In a stowed position, the arm is flush against the surface of the UAV. To deploy the arm, a free end of the arm is rotated away from the surface of the UAV. The arm is additionally biased to rotate about its longitudinal axis as it rotates away from the surface of the UAV. This rotation positions the latches to capture an arresting line that is part of a UAV recovery system.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising an arresting hook, wherein said arresting hook comprises:

an arm;

a plurality of latches, wherein said plurality of latches depend from said arm;

an arrangement for coupling said arm to a surface, wherein said arrangement provides said arm with;

a first rotational degree of freedom, wherein said first rotational degree of freedom enables an end of said arm to rotate away from said surface; and

a second rotational degree of freedom, wherein said second degree of freedom enables said arm to rotate about its longitudinal axis.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said surface is a portion of a fuselage of a UAV.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said arm is coupled to said surface at a point that is approximately midway between a nose and a tail of said UAV.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein a mounting bracket is attached to said surface, and wherein said arrangement comprises:

a rotation block, wherein said rotation block is rotatably coupled to;

(i) said mounting bracket, wherein said coupling of said rotation block to said mounting block provides said first rotational degree of freedom; and

(ii) said arm, wherein said coupling of said rotation block to said arm provides said second rotational degree of freedom.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 further comprising a biasing element, wherein said biasing element imparts a force to said arm that urges said arm to rotate about its longitudinal axis.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said biasing element comprises a torsion spring, wherein a first end of said torsion spring is attached to said rotation block and a second end of said torsion spring is attached to said arm.

7. The apparatus of claim 4 further comprising a stop, wherein said stop limits said rotation associate with said first rotational degree of freedom to an amount within a range of about 70 degrees to about 90 degrees.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said apparatus is a UAV, and wherein said apparatus further comprises a fuselage, and further wherein said surface is a portion of said fuselage.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said surface is disposed approximately midway between a nose and a tail of said UAV.

10. An apparatus comprising an arresting hook, wherein said arresting hook comprises:

an arm;

wherein;

(i) said arm is coupled to a UAV;

(ii) said arm possesses two rotational degrees of freedom;

(iii) a second one of said two rotational degrees of freedom enables said arm to rotate about its longitudinal axis; and

(iv) said arm is biased to rotate about said longitudinal axis; and

a plurality of latches, wherein said plurality of latches depend from said arm.

11. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein a first one said two rotational degrees of freedom enables an end of said arm to rotate away from a surface of said UAV.

12. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said end of said arm is rotated in accordance with said first rotational degree of freedom by an amount that is between about 70 to 90 degrees.

13. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein said arm is rotated in accordance with said second rotational degree of freedom by about 90 degrees.

14. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said two rotational degrees of freedom are provided by a rotation block, wherein said rotation block couples said arm to said UAV.

15. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein a torsion spring is coupled to said rotation block and to said arm, and wherein said torsion spring provides said bias for said arm to rotate.

16. A method comprising:

flying a UAV toward an arresting line, wherein said UAV has an arresting hook, and wherein said arresting hook comprises an arm;

rotating a first end of said arm away from a surface of said UAV; and

rotating said arm about its longitudinal axis.

17. The method of claim 16 contacting said arm with said arresting line.

18. The method of claim 17 wherein said arm comprises a plurality of latches, wherein said method further comprises latching said arm to said arresting line.

19. The method of claim 16 further comprising receiving a signal to release said first end of said arm.