Launch and capture systems for vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) vehicles

• US 8,162,256 B2
• Filed: 03/19/2008
• Issued: 04/24/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 03/19/2008
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
• Original Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
• Inventors: Goossen, Emray R., Sheoran, Yogendra Y.
• Primary Examiner(s): DINH, TIEN QUANG
• Application Number:
  US12/051,552
• Publication Number:
  US 20090236470A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,497 Days
• Field of Search: 244/115, 244/116, 244/114.R, 244/110.F, 244/110.G, 244/110.E, 244/110.D, 244/110.R
• US Class Current: 244/110.E
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 39/024 of the remote controlled vehicle type, i.e. RPV
• CPC Class Codes: B64F 1/04 for launching aircraft
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 10/13 Flying platforms
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 30/26 Ducted or shrouded rotors
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 60/50 with landing legs
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 70/80 Vertical take-off or landing, e.g. using rockets rotorcrafts B64U10/10; VTOL aircraft B64U10/20
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 70/93 for use on a land or nautical vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 80/70 in containers B64U80/60 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 80/84 Waterborne vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 80/86 Land vehicles

Abstract

A launch and capture system for capturing a vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) vehicle having a thruster and a duct configured to direct airflow generated by the thruster includes a capture plate and an extension. The capture plate is configured to alter the airflow and generate a force attracting the duct to the capture plate. The extension is coupled to the capture plate, and is configured to at least facilitate holding the VTOL vehicle against the capture plate.

Claims

1. A launch and capture system for capturing a vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) vehicle comprising a thruster and a duct configured to direct airflow generated by the thruster, the launch and capture system comprising:

a capture plate configured to alter the airflow and generate a force attracting the duct to the capture plate; and

an extension coupled to the capture plate and configured to at least facilitate holding the VTOL vehicle against the capture plate.

2. The launch and capture system of claim 1, further comprising:

a mast coupled to the capture plate.

3. The launch and capture system of claim 2, further comprising:

a lift system coupled to the mast and configured to lift the mast.

4. The launch and capture system of claim 1, wherein the capture plate comprises a plurality of ports movable between an open position and a closed position.

6. The launch and capture system of claim 1, further comprising:

a rod coupled to the capture plate and configured to selectively at least facilitate separation of the VTOL vehicle from the capture plate.

7. The launch and capture system of claim 1, further comprising:

a mounting device configured to mount the launch and capture system to a recovery vehicle; and

a shock absorber coupled between the mounting device and the capture plate and configured to absorb shock from the recovery vehicle.

8. The launch and capture system of claim 1, further comprising:

a servo system configured to orient the capture plate.

5. The launch and capture system of 4, wherein the plurality of ports are configured to increase the force attracting the duct to the capture plate when at least one of the plurality of ports is moved from the open position to the closed position.

9. A launch and capture system for capturing a vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) vehicle comprising a thruster and a duct configured to direct airflow generated by the thruster, the launch and capture system comprising:

a capture plate configured to alter the airflow and generate a force attracting the duct to the capture plate, the capture plate comprising a plurality of ports movable between an open position and a closed position; and

a mast coupled to the capture plate.

10. The launch and capture system of claim 9, further comprising:

an extension configured to at least facilitate holding the VTOL vehicle against the capture plate.

11. The launch and capture system of claim 9, further comprising:

a rod coupled to the capture plate and configured to selectively at least facilitate separation of the VTOL vehicle from the capture plate.

12. The launch and capture system of claim 9, further comprising:

a lift system coupled to the mast and configured to lift the mast.

13. The launch and capture system of claim 9, further comprising:

a mounting device configured to mount the launch and capture system to a recovery vehicle; and

a shock absorber coupled between the mounting device and the capture plate and configured to absorb shock from the recovery vehicle.

14. The launch and capture system of claim 9, further comprising:

a servo system configured to orient the capture plate.

15. The launch and capture system of claim 9, further comprising the vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) vehicle comprising the thruster and the duct configured to direct airflow generated by the thruster.

16. The launch and capture system of 9, wherein the plurality of ports are configured to increase the force attracting the duct to the capture plate when at least one of the plurality of ports is moved from the open position to the closed position.

17. A method comprising:

capturing, using a capture plate, a vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) vehicle comprising a thruster and a duct configured to direct airflow generated by the thruster, wherein the capture plate is configured to alter the airflow and generate a force attracting the duct to the capture plate; and

engaging with the VTOL an extension coupled to the capture plate to assist holding the VTOL against the capture plate.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the capture plate comprises a plurality of ports movable between an open position and a closed position, the method further comprising:

moving at least one of the plurality of ports between the open position and the closed position to increase the force attracting the duct to the capture plate.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein the capture plate comprises a plurality of ports movable between an open position and a closed position, the method further comprising moving at least one of the plurality of ports between the closed position and the open position to decrease the force attracting the duct to the capture plate.