Method and apparatus for automated launch, retrieval, and servicing of a hovering aircraft

• US 8,740,142 B2
• Filed: 05/23/2013
• Issued: 06/03/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 02/12/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Aerovel Corporation (Airbus SE)
• Original Assignee: Aerovel Corporation (Airbus SE)
• Inventors: McGeer, Brian T., von Flotow, Andreas H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Ellis, Christopher P
• Assistant Examiner(s): Badawi, Medhat
• Application Number:
  US13/901,295
• Publication Number:
  US 20140091177A1
• Time in Patent Office: 376 Days
• Field of Search: 244/110.F, 244/110.C, 244/63, 244/1.R, 244/116, 244/110.E
• US Class Current: 244/110.F
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 25/68 Arrester hooks
• CPC Class Codes: B64F 1/02 for arresting aircraft, e.g. nets or cables
• CPC Class Codes: B64F 1/04 for launching aircraft
• CPC Class Codes: B64F 1/06 using catapults
• CPC Class Codes: B64F 1/12 for anchoring aircraft
• CPC Class Codes: B64F 1/125 Mooring or ground handling devices for helicopters
• CPC Class Codes: B64F 1/28 Liquid-handling installations specially adapted for fuelling stationary aircraft
• CPC Class Codes: B64F 5/00 Designing, manufacturing, assembling, cleaning, maintaining or repairing aircraft, not otherwise provided for; Handling, transporting, testing or inspecting aircraft components, not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: B64F 5/40 Maintaining or repairing aircraft
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 10/10 Rotorcrafts
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 10/17 Helicopters flying platforms B64U10/13
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 30/40 Empennages, e.g. V-tails foldable or collapsible UAVs B64U20/50
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 80/25 for recharging batteries; for refuelling

Abstract

Various embodiments of the present disclosure provide an apparatus configured to automatically retrieve, service, and launch an aircraft. For retrieval, the aircraft drops a weighted cable, and pulls it at low relative speed into a broad aperture of the apparatus. In certain instances, the cable is dragged along guiding surfaces of the apparatus into and through a slot until its free end is captured. The aircraft becomes anchored to the apparatus, and is pulled downward by the cable into a receptacle. Guiding surfaces of the receptacle adjust the position and orientation of a probe on the aircraft, directing the probe to mate with a docking fixture of the apparatus. Once mated, the aircraft is automatically shut down and serviced. When desired, the aircraft is automatically started and tested in preparation for launch, and then released into free flight. A full ground-handling cycle is thus accomplished with a simple, economical apparatus.

Claims

1. A method for retrieving a flying object from free flight, said method comprising:

(a) causing a member connected to a body of the flying object to be received by a member holder of a docking station, the docking station supported by a base and configured to receive a portion of the flying object;

(b) thereafter, causing the member holder to hold the member; and

(c) causing a member mover of the docking station to move the member relative to the docking station to cause the flying object to move toward the docking station.

2. The method of claim 1, which includes causing the member mover to move the member relative to the docking station until the docking station receives the portion of the flying object.

3. The method of claim 2, which includes detecting when the docking station receives the portion of the flying object using a sensor and stopping the movement of the member relative to the docking station when the sensor detects that the docking station receives the portion of the flying object.

4. The method of claim 1, which includes securing the flying object using a locking device after the docking station receives the portion of the flying object.

5. The method of claim 1, which includes servicing the flying object using at least one connector after the docking station receives the portion of the flying object.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein said servicing is performed automatically.

7. The method of claim 1, which includes facilitating launch of the flying object using at least one launch orienting device.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein facilitating launch of the flying object includes tilting the docking station using the at least one launch orienting device.

9. The method of claim 1, which includes measuring a three-dimensional position of the flying object relative to the apparatus.

10. The method of claim 1, which includes measuring an orientation of the flying object relative to the apparatus.

11. The method of claim 1, which includes causing the member holder to release the member to facilitate launch of the flying object.

12. A method for retrieving a flying object from free flight, said method comprising:

(a) causing a flexible member connected to a body of the flying object to be received by a member holder of a docking station, the docking station supported by a base and configured to receive a portion of the flying object;

(b) thereafter, causing the member holder to hold the member; and

(c) causing a member mover of the docking station to move the member relative to the docking station until the docking station receives the portion of the flying object.

13. The method of claim 12, which includes detecting when the docking station receives the portion of the flying object using a sensor and stopping the movement of the member relative to the docking station when the sensor detects that the docking station receives the portion of the flying object.

14. The method of claim 12, which includes securing the flying object using a locking device after the docking station receives the portion of the flying object.

15. The method of claim 12, which includes servicing the flying object using at least one connector after the docking station receives the portion of the flying object.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein said servicing is performed automatically.

17. The method of claim 15, which includes facilitating launch of the flying object using at least one launch orienting device.

18. The method of claim 15, which includes measuring a three-dimensional position of the flying object relative to the apparatus.

19. The method of claim 15, which includes measuring an orientation of the flying object relative to the apparatus.

20. The method of claim 15, which includes causing the member holder to release the member to facilitate launch of the flying object.