Method and apparatus for retrieving a hovering aircraft
First Claim
1. A method for capturing a flying object in principally thrust-borne flight, said method comprising:
- (a) receiving a portion of the flying object in a docking fixture after;
(i) a fixture interceptor of the flying object contacts a fixture by motion of the flying object relative to the fixture;
(ii) the fixture interceptor removably attaches to the fixture; and
(iii) the flying object translates relative to the fixture toward the docking fixture; and
(b) engaging said portion of the flying object with an arm of 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.
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Citations
9 Claims
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1. A method for capturing a flying object in principally thrust-borne flight, said method comprising:
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(a) receiving a portion of the flying object in a docking fixture after; (i) a fixture interceptor of the flying object contacts a fixture by motion of the flying object relative to the fixture; (ii) the fixture interceptor removably attaches to the fixture; and (iii) the flying object translates relative to the fixture toward the docking fixture; and (b) engaging said portion of the flying object with an arm of the docking fixture. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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Specification