Method and apparatus for drone detection and disablement

• US 9,862,489 B1
• Filed: 02/07/2016
• Issued: 01/09/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 02/07/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Jay Gainsboro, Lee Weinstein
• Original Assignee: Jay Gainsboro, Lee Weinstein
• Inventors: Weinstein, Lee, Gainsboro, Jay
• Primary Examiner(s): O'Hara, Brian M
• Application Number:
  US15/017,651
• Time in Patent Office: 702 Days
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 1/18 by spraying, e.g. insecticides spraying apparatus per se B05B
• CPC Class Codes: B64F 1/027 using net or mesh
• CPC Class Codes: B64F 1/0295 aerodynamically or aerostatically supported, e.g. parafoil or balloon
• CPC Class Codes: B64F 1/0297 adjustable to align with aircraft trajectory
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 2101/16 for controlling, capturing or immobilising other vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 2101/30 for imaging, photography or videography
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 2201/00 UAVs characterised by their flight controls
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 2201/20 Remote controls
• 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: G01S 13/06 Systems determining position data of a target
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 15/06 Systems determining the position data of a target
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 17/06 Systems determining position data of a target

Abstract

A preferred embodiment of a method and apparatus for detection and disablement of an unidentified aerial vehicle (UAV) includes arrays of antenna elements receiving in two modalities (for instance radio frequency (RF) and acoustic modalities, or RF and optical modalities). Signal processing of outputs from multiple antenna arrays locates a potential UAV at specific coordinates within a volume of space under surveillance, and automatically aims video surveillance and a short-range projectile launcher at the UAV, and may automatically fire the projectile launcher to down the UAV.

Claims

1. A UAV disablement system comprising:

Means for detecting the location of a first airborne UAV;

a second UAV with one or more flexible cords suspended below said second UAV;

Means for guiding said second UAV to a position above said first UAV such that at least a first cord of said cords contact said first UAV and becomes entangled in said second UAV;

Wherein said one or more cords suspended below said second UAV are coupled to said second UAV by a coupling which automatically releases at a predetermined tension.

2. The UAV disablement system of claim 1, wherein said coupling comprises a magnetic coupling.

3. The UAV disablement system of claim 1, wherein said coupling comprises a friction coupling.

4. A UAV disablement system comprising:

Means for detecting the location of a first airborne UAV;

A second UAV with one or more flexible cords suspended below said second UAV;

Means for guiding said second UAV to a position above said first UAV such that at least a first cord of said cords contact said first UAV and becomes entangled in said second UAV;

Wherein said one or more cords suspended below said second UAV are coupled to said second UAV by an electronically actuated coupling which is actuated based upon a change in speed and/or direction of said second UAV sensed through an accelerometer coupled to said second UAV.

5. A UAV disablement system comprising:

Means for detecting the presence of a first airborne UAV within a monitored volume of space;

Means for detecting the location of said first airborne UAV within said monitored volume of space;

Paint spraying means affixed to said second UAV capable of spraying paint in a known direction from said second UAV in response to an electronic signal; and

Means for guiding said second UAV to a desired position relative to said first UAV and actuating said paint spraying means to spray paint on said first UAV.

6. The UAV disablement system of claim 5, further comprising means to position said second UAV relative to said first UAV such that said paint spraying means can spray paint on a camera on said second UAV.