Systems and methods for deployment and operation of unmanned aerial vehicles
First Claim
1. An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) system, comprising:
- a launcher, comprising;
one or more launch tubes, each launch tube configured to house a UAV in a canister, each canister comprising an energetics module configured to release a gas to push the UAV out of the launch tube by releasing gas into the canister;
a recovery device for recovering the UAV while in flight; and
a power generation and storage system comprising at least one of a photovoltaic cell and a wind turbine for supplying power to the UAV system.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) system provides for UAV deployment and remote, unattended operation with reduced logistics requirements. The system includes a launcher that can include one or more launch tubes, each launch tube configured to house a UAV in a canister and one or more gas generators operatively connected to each canister and configured to push the UAV out of the launch tube by releasing gas into the canister. A controller for activating the gas generators can sequentially, and with a predetermined time delay, expel the UAV with a desired velocity and acceleration. The system further includes a UAV recovery device, a power supply, a security subsystem, a command and control subsystem and a communications subsystem. Command, control and communications can be provided between a remote station and the UAV.
155 Citations
19 Claims
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1. An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) system, comprising:
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a launcher, comprising; one or more launch tubes, each launch tube configured to house a UAV in a canister, each canister comprising an energetics module configured to release a gas to push the UAV out of the launch tube by releasing gas into the canister; a recovery device for recovering the UAV while in flight; and a power generation and storage system comprising at least one of a photovoltaic cell and a wind turbine for supplying power to the UAV system. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method of operating an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) system, comprising:
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loading a canister containing the UAV into a launcher; supplying power to the UAV system using at least one of a photovoltaic cell and a wind turbine; activating a plurality of gas generators sequentially and with a predetermined time delay to expel the UAV with a desired velocity and acceleration; and recovering the UAV while in flight in a UAV recovery device. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification