Method and apparatus for retrieving a hovering aircraft
First Claim
1. An apparatus for capturing a flying object in principally thrust-borne flight, said capturing apparatus including:
- (a) a fixture;
(b) suspension support configured to suspend the fixture; and
(c) a docking fixture attached to the suspension support, the docking fixture including an arm configured to engage a portion of a flying object;
wherein the suspension support is configured to suspend the fixture such that the flying object in principally thrust-borne flight can;
(i) cause a fixture interceptor of the flying object to contact the fixture and become removably attached to the fixture, and(ii) after the fixture interceptor is removably attached to the fixture, translate relative to the fixture toward the docking fixture.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
For retrieval of a hovering aircraft, a cable, bar, or similar fixture is suspended in an approximately horizontal orientation across the retrieval area between two well-separated supports. The aircraft slowly flies into this fixture, which then slides along the aircraft in a direction approximately parallel with the aircraft'"'"'s thrust line. This leads to the aircraft becoming fastened to the fixture by an interceptor or aircraft capturer, which in alternative embodiments are respectively on the aircraft or the fixture or both. Thrust is then reduced, and the aircraft comes to rest hanging from the fixture for subsequent removal. Retrieval is thus accomplished with simple and economical apparatus, light and unobtrusive elements on the aircraft, low risk of damage, and only moderate piloting accuracy.
95 Citations
10 Claims
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1. An apparatus for capturing a flying object in principally thrust-borne flight, said capturing apparatus including:
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(a) a fixture; (b) suspension support configured to suspend the fixture; and (c) a docking fixture attached to the suspension support, the docking fixture including an arm configured to engage a portion of a flying object; wherein the suspension support is configured to suspend the fixture such that the flying object in principally thrust-borne flight can; (i) cause a fixture interceptor of the flying object to contact the fixture and become removably attached to the fixture, and (ii) after the fixture interceptor is removably attached to the fixture, translate relative to the fixture toward the docking fixture. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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Specification