Systems and devices for remotely operated unmanned aerial vehicle report-suppressing launcher with portable RF transparent launch tube

• US 8,505,430 B2
• Filed: 09/09/2011
• Issued: 08/13/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 09/09/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Aerovironment
• Original Assignee: Aerovironment
• Inventors: Miralles, Carlos Thomas, Su, Guan H., Andryukov, Oleksandr, McNeil, John
• Primary Examiner(s): JOHNSON, STEPHEN
• Application Number:
  US13/229,377
• Publication Number:
  US 20110315817A1
• Time in Patent Office: 704 Days
• Field of Search: 89/18.15, 89/18.16, 89/18.17, 89/18.18
• US Class Current: 89/1.816
• CPC Class Codes: B64F 1/04 for launching aircraft
• CPC Class Codes: B64F 1/06 using catapults
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 10/25 Fixed-wing aircraft VTOL aircraft B64U10/20
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 2201/20 Remote controls
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 30/12 Variable or detachable wings, e.g. wings with adjustable sweep
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 70/00 Launching, take-off or landing arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 70/50 Launching from storage containers, e.g. from submarine missile tubes
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 80/70 in containers B64U80/60 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F41A 21/02 Composite barrels, i.e. barrels having multiple layers, e.g. of different materials
• CPC Class Codes: F41F 1/00 Launching apparatus for projecting projectiles or missiles from barrels, e.g. cannons F41F3/00 takes precedence; Harpoon guns
• CPC Class Codes: F41F 3/042 the launching apparatus being used also as a transport container for the rocket F41F3/065 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F42B 39/14 Explosion or fire protection arrangements on packages or ammunition F42B39/20 and F42B39/24 take precedence; wall or panel structure of fireproof safes or storage containers E05G1/024

Abstract

An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) launch tube that comprises a tethered sabot configured to engage a UAV within a launcher volume defined by an inner wall, the tethered sabot dimensioned to provide a pressure seal at the inner wall and tethered to the inner wall, and wherein the tethered sabot is hollow having an open end oriented toward a high pressure volume and a tether attached within a hollow of the sabot and attached to the inner wall retaining the high pressure volume or attach to the inner base wall. A system comprising a communication node and a launcher comprising an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) in a pre-launch state configured to receive and respond to command inputs from the communication node.

Claims

1. An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) launch tube comprising:

at least one inner layer of prepreg substrate disposed about a right rectangular aperture;

at least one outer layer of prepreg substrate disposed about the right rectangular aperture; and

one or more structural panels disposed between the at least one inner layer of prepreg substrate and the at least one outer layer of prepreg substrate;

wherein the one or more structural panels comprise four structural panels, each structural panel comprising a cylindrical segment, and each structural panel having a planar surface defined by a chord length and a cylindrical height, each planar surface disposed orthogonally relative to a next planar surface each structural panel having a first lateral edge and a second lateral edge, wherein the first lateral edge of a first structural panel is proximate to, but not contacting, a first lateral edge of a second structural panel, the second lateral edge of the first structural panel is proximate to, but not contacting, a first lateral edge of a third structural panel, and wherein the first lateral edge of a fourth structural panel is proximate to, but not contacting, a second lateral edge of a second structural panel, the second lateral edge of the fourth structural panel is proximate to, but not contacting, a second lateral edge of a third structural panel, and wherein each of the four structural panels are disposed between the at least one inner layer of prepreg substrate and the at least one outer layer of pregreg substrate.

2. An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) launch tube comprising:

at least one inner layer of prepreg substrate disposed about a right rectangular aperture;

at least one outer layer of prepreg substrate disposed about the right rectangular aperture;

one or more structural panels disposed between the at least one inner layer of prepreg substrate and the at least one outer layer of prepreg substrate;

an inner wall formed by the at least one inner layer of prepreg substrate; and

a tethered sabot configured to engage a UAV within the right rectangular aperture, the tethered sabot dimensioned to provide a pressure seal at the inner wall and tethered to the inner wall.

3. An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) launch tube comprising:

at least one inner layer of prepreg substrate disposed about a right rectangular aperture;

at least one outer layer of prepreg substrate disposed about the right rectangular aperture; and

one or more structural panels disposed between the at least one inner layer of prepreg substrate and the at least one outer layer of prepreg substrate;

wherein the at least one outer layer of prepreg substrate has a radius of curvature greater than a distance from an outer surface curvature of said at least one outer layer to a right rectangular aperture centerline.

4. The UAV launch tube of claim 3, wherein the at least one outer layer of prepreg substrate comprises a plurality of outer layers of prepreg substrate, and said plurality of outer layers of prepreg substrate define in a cross-sectional view a substantially ovoid-shaped outside perimeter.

5. The UAV launch tube of claim 3, wherein the one or more structural panels is configured to seat with and extend between an inner radius of curvature of a respective one of the at least one outer layer of prepreg substrate and a respective one of the at least one inner layer of prepreg substrate.

6. The UAV launch tube of claim 3, wherein the at least one outer layer of prepreg substrate contacts the at least one inner layer of prepreg substrate at each of the four corners of the right rectangular aperture.