Line capture devices for unmanned aircraft, and associated systems and methods
First Claim
1. An aircraft system, comprising:
- a line capture device body having a line slot, the line slot having an open end and a closed end;
a retainer positioned proximate to the line slot, the retainer including a rotor having a plurality of rotor arms positioned to extend at least partially across the line slot as the rotor rotates relative to the body;
a joint rotatably coupling the rotor to the body; and
a ratchet device operably coupled to the rotor to allow the rotor to rotate in a first direction and at least restrict the rotor from rotating in a second direction opposite the first.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Line capture devices for unmanned aircraft, and associated systems and methods are disclosed. A system in accordance with a particular embodiment includes a line capture device body having a line slot with an open end and a closed end. A retainer is positioned proximate to the line slot and has a rotor with a plurality of rotor arms positioned to extend at least partially across the line slot as the rotor rotates relative to the body. A joint rotatably couples the rotor to the body, and a ratchet device is operably coupled to the rotor to allow the rotor to rotate in a first direction and at least restrict the rotor arm from rotating in a second direction opposite the first. In other embodiments, the retainer can include other arrangements, for example, one or more wire-shaped elements.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. An aircraft system, comprising:
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a line capture device body having a line slot, the line slot having an open end and a closed end; a retainer positioned proximate to the line slot, the retainer including a rotor having a plurality of rotor arms positioned to extend at least partially across the line slot as the rotor rotates relative to the body; a joint rotatably coupling the rotor to the body; and a ratchet device operably coupled to the rotor to allow the rotor to rotate in a first direction and at least restrict the rotor from rotating in a second direction opposite the first. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. An aircraft system, comprising:
- a line capture device having a line capture device body, a rotor rotatably attached to the line capture device body, and a ratchet device configured to restrict a first direction of rotation of the rotor relative to the line capture device body;
wherein the rotor comprises a hub and a plurality of rotor arms extending outwardly from the hub, wherein the line capture device body includes a line slot configured to receive a recovery line, and wherein at least a portion of the rotor is positioned to extend at least partially across the line slot when the rotor is in a first orientation relative to the line capture device body. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
- a line capture device having a line capture device body, a rotor rotatably attached to the line capture device body, and a ratchet device configured to restrict a first direction of rotation of the rotor relative to the line capture device body;
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19. An aircraft system, comprising:
- a line capture device body attached to a wing of an aircraft and having a line slot with an open end and a closed end, the line slot being configured to receive a recovery line;
a rotor comprising a hub and a plurality of rotor arms extending outwardly from the hub, the rotor rotatably coupled to the line capture device body, at least a portion of the rotor extending at least partially across the line slot when the rotor is in at least one orientation relative to the line capture device body; and a ratchet device;
whereinthe rotor is positioned to rotate in a first direction when the recovery line presses against the portion of the rotor, and wherein the ratchet device is positioned to allow the rotor to rotate in the first direction and limit rotation of the rotor in a second direction opposite the first direction.
- a line capture device body attached to a wing of an aircraft and having a line slot with an open end and a closed end, the line slot being configured to receive a recovery line;
Specification