Methods and apparatus for marine deployment
First Claim
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1. A launch system for an unmanned aerial vehicle, comprising:
- a floatable housing adapted to be deployed by a marine vehicle and configured to house the unmanned aerial vehicle prior to launch, wherein the floatable housing comprises a flotation system configured to selectively increase or decrease the buoyancy of the floatable housing;
an ejection system coupled to the floatable housing and adapted to selectively launch the unmanned aerial vehicle out of the floatable housing; and
a control system coupled to the ejection system, wherein the control system is adapted to;
calculate a launch window from a predetermined set of launch criteria, andprovide a launch signal to the ejection system within the calculated launch window.
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Abstract
Methods and apparatus for marine deployment according to various aspects of the present invention may operate in conjunction with a floatable housing adapted to be deployed by a marine vehicle. The floatable housing may be adapted to be launched from a marine vehicle and rise to the surface. Assets, such as an unmanned aerial vehicle, may be deployed from the surfaced floatable housing.
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Citations
32 Claims
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1. A launch system for an unmanned aerial vehicle, comprising:
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a floatable housing adapted to be deployed by a marine vehicle and configured to house the unmanned aerial vehicle prior to launch, wherein the floatable housing comprises a flotation system configured to selectively increase or decrease the buoyancy of the floatable housing; an ejection system coupled to the floatable housing and adapted to selectively launch the unmanned aerial vehicle out of the floatable housing; and a control system coupled to the ejection system, wherein the control system is adapted to; calculate a launch window from a predetermined set of launch criteria, and provide a launch signal to the ejection system within the calculated launch window. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A submarine deployed launch system for an unmanned aerial vehicle, comprising:
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a floatable pressure vessel adapted to be released underwater; a launch tube disposed within the floatable pressure vessel, wherein the launch tube is; adapted to house the unmanned aerial vehicle; and configured to be rotated into a non-vertical position prior to deployment of the unmanned aerial vehicle; and an ejection system engaging the launch tube and configured to launch the unmanned aerial vehicle out of the launch tube in response to a triggering event. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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28. A deployment system for deploying an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) from an underwater vehicle having a trash disposal unit comprising:
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a housing adapted to fit through the trash disposal unit; a flotation system disposed on the housing; a launch tube disposed within the housing, wherein the launch tube is adapted to contain the UAV; and a UAV ejection system disposed within the housing and at a first end of the launch tube. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30, 31, 32)
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Specification