Unmanned aerial vehicle launching and landing system

• US 8,276,844 B2
• Filed: 02/02/2009
• Issued: 10/02/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 07/31/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Elbit Systems Limited
• Original Assignee: Elbit Systems Limited
• Inventors: Kariv, Amnon
• Primary Examiner(s): Dinh, Tien
• Assistant Examiner(s): KREINER, MICHAEL B
• Application Number:
  US12/364,206
• Publication Number:
  US 20090224097A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,338 Days
• Field of Search: 244/110.A, 244/110.C, 244/110.E, 244/110.F, 244/110.G, 244/110.R, 244/63, 124/17
• US Class Current: 244/110.C
• CPC Class Codes: B64F 1/027 using net or mesh
• CPC Class Codes: B64F 1/029 using a cable or tether
• CPC Class Codes: B64F 1/06 using catapults
• 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 70/70 Launching or landing using catapults, tracks or rails launching from storage containers B64U70/50

Abstract

The invention relates to a system for landing UAV'"'"'s. The system comprises a slingshot structure that includes arm based structure and an axis installed along the arm of the structure and enabling the arm to move around it. The system comprises a base connecting the axis to a platform at which the system is installable. The system also includes a controlled pulling and braking means that connects the arm of the structure and the platform upon which the system is installable and stretchable elastic installed in a stretched manner at a gap formed between two arms and set to connect with a landing UAV. At the landing phase, the controlled pulling and braking of the system essentially breaks the motion of the arm based structure that is propelled to revolve around the system'"'"'s axis, and propels the structure to move around the axis.

Claims

1. A system for landing UAVs, comprising:

a slingshot structure having a pair of rotatable arms with a first end and a second end;

a rotatable joint installed at the first end of each of said pair of rotatable arms of said slingshot structure and wherein said pair of rotatable arms are configured to move around said rotatable joint;

a movable base connecting said rotatable joint to a platform at which said system is installable;

a controlled pulling and braking means that connects between lower end of said pair of rotatable arms of said slingshot structure and said platform upon which said system is installable; and

an arresting cable installed in a stretched manner at a gap between said rotatable pair of arms and set to receive a landing UAV, wherein

at a landing phase, said controlled pulling and braking means brakes the motion of said rotatable pair of arms of said slingshot structure that is propelled to revolve around said system'"'"'s rotatable joint, from a time that said landing UAV forms contact with said arresting cable and propels said structure to move around said rotatable joint.

2. A system for landing UAVs, in accordance with claim 1, wherein said platform is a vessel deck and said slingshot structure is deployable across the vessel deck.

3. A system for landing UAVs, in accordance with claim 1, wherein said system comprises in addition:

a cushion means for receiving the landing UAV.