Method and apparatus for automated launch, retrieval, and servicing of a hovering aircraft
First Claim
1. An apparatus for retrieving an aircraft from free thrust-borne flight, the apparatus comprising:
- a frame;
a parking station supported by the frame and including at least one arm configured to engage a portion of the aircraft;
at least one rail connected to and extending from the frame; and
a plurality of restrainers connected to the at least one rail, each restrainer being movable toward and away from the parking station, wherein at least two of the plurality of restrainers are positioned such that, when the at least one rail is oriented substantially horizontally;
(i) a fixture on the aircraft can be received therebetween; and
(ii) after the fixture on the aircraft is received therebetween, the aircraft is restrained in translation and rotation.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
An aircraft capable of thrust-borne flight can be automatically retrieved, serviced, and launched using equipment suitable for a small vessel. For retrieval, the aircraft hovers over a base apparatus having one or more rails which bound a space into which the aircraft can safely descend. When the aircraft'"'"'s measured position and velocity are appropriate, the aircraft descends promptly such that a spanwise component on the aircraft engages the rails. The teeth restrain the aircraft in position and orientation, while the rails bring the aircraft to rest. Articulation of the rails is used to park the aircraft in a servicing station. Connections for refueling, recharging, and/or functional checks are made in preparation for launch. Launch is effected by removing connections and restraints and articulating the rails to put the aircraft in an appropriate position and orientation. The aircraft uses its own thrust to climb out of the apparatus into free flight.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. An apparatus for retrieving an aircraft from free thrust-borne flight, the apparatus comprising:
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a frame; a parking station supported by the frame and including at least one arm configured to engage a portion of the aircraft; at least one rail connected to and extending from the frame; and a plurality of restrainers connected to the at least one rail, each restrainer being movable toward and away from the parking station, wherein at least two of the plurality of restrainers are positioned such that, when the at least one rail is oriented substantially horizontally;
(i) a fixture on the aircraft can be received therebetween; and
(ii) after the fixture on the aircraft is received therebetween, the aircraft is restrained in translation and rotation. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method for retrieving an aircraft from free thrust-borne flight, the method comprising:
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hovering the aircraft over a space at least partially bordered by at least one rail connected to and extending substantially horizontally from a frame of a base apparatus, the at least one rail including a plurality of restrainers each movable toward and away from the frame; measuring a three dimensional position of the aircraft relative to the space; when the measured three dimensional position of the aircraft relative to the space is such that the aircraft may descend such that two of the plurality of restrainers receive a fixture on the aircraft therebetween, bringing the fixture on the aircraft and at least one rail into contact such that said two of the plurality of restrainers receive the fixture on the aircraft therebetween by a combination of descent by the aircraft and lifting of the at least one rail; thereafter, moving the plurality of restrainers toward a parking station supported by the frame; and engaging a portion of the aircraft with at least one arm of the parking station. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. An apparatus for retrieving an aircraft from free thrust-borne flight, the apparatus comprising:
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a frame; a parking station supported by the frame and including at least one arm configured to engage a portion of the aircraft; two spaced-apart rails connected to and extending from the frame; a first plurality of spaced-apart teeth extending from a first one of the rails, each of the first plurality of spaced-apart teeth being movable toward and away from the parking station, at least two of the first plurality of spaced-apart teeth being positioned such that a fixture of the aircraft can be received therebetween; and a second plurality of spaced-apart teeth extending from a second one of the rails, each of the second plurality of spaced-apart teeth being movable toward and away from the parking station, at least two of the second plurality of spaced-apart teeth being positioned such that the fixture of the aircraft can be received therebetween.
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Specification