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

• US 10,703,506 B2
• Filed: 09/18/2019
• Issued: 07/07/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 09/09/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Aerovironment
• Original Assignee: Aerovironment
• Inventors: Miralles, Carlos Thomas, Su, Guan H, Andryukov, Alexander, McNeil, John
• Primary Examiner(s): Benedik, Justin M
• Application Number:
  US16/574,344
• Publication Number:
  US 20200140120A1
• Time in Patent Office: 293 Days
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 39/024 of the remote controlled vehicle type, i.e. RPV
• 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 at least one inner layer of prepreg substrate disposed about a right parallelepiped aperture, at least one outer layer of prepreg substrate disposed about the right parallelepiped 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. 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. A method comprising:

transmitting, by a transmitter disposed within a launcher volume of a launcher, wireless communication via one or more RF signals transmitted wirelessly through a launcher wall of the launcher, wherein the launcher volume is defined by the launcher wall, and wherein the launcher wall comprises a continuous radio-frequency (RF) permeable material.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

receiving, by a receiver disposed within the launcher volume of the launcher, wireless communication via one or more RF signals received wirelessly through the launcher wall of the launcher.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the received one or more RF signals are received by an RF antenna disposed within the launcher volume.

4. The method of claim 2 further comprising:

transmitting, by an external communications node, the one or more RF signals received by the receiver disposed within the launcher volume of the launcher.

5. The method of claim 2, wherein the one or more RF signals received by the receiver comprise at least one of:

a reconnaissance waypoint information, a surveillance optimizing trajectory information, a target data, and a flight plan information.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the transmitter is positioned to transmit wirelessly through the launcher wall of the launcher.

7. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

generating gas by one or more gas generating canisters during a launch of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) disposed within the launcher volume; and

retaining the generated gas within the launcher volume after the launch of the UAV.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the transmitted wireless communication comprises a status of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) disposed within the launcher volume.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the transmitted wireless communication comprises a status of the launcher.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the status of the launcher comprises at least one of:

a battery level and a result of a self-diagnosis.

11. A method comprising:

engaging an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) within a launcher volume by a sabot, wherein the launcher volume is defined by an inner wall, wherein the sabot is dimensioned to provide a pressure seal at the inner wall, and wherein the sabot is tethered to the inner wall.

12. The method of claim 11 further comprising:

orienting an open end of the sabot toward a high pressure volume, wherein the tethered sabot is hollow.

13. The method of claim 12 further comprising:

attaching the tether within a hollow of the sabot.

14. The method of claim 13 further comprising:

attaching the tether to the inner wall retaining the high pressure volume.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein the tether has a payout length that prevents the sabot from fully exiting the launcher volume.

16. The method of claim 11 further comprising:

generating gas by one or more gas generating canisters during a launch of the UAV disposed within the launcher volume.

17. The method of claim 16 further comprising:

retaining the generated gas within the launcher volume after the launch of the UAV.

18. The method of claim 16 further comprising:

forming a high-pressure volume between the sabot and the one or more gas generating canisters during the launch of the UAV.

19. The method of claim 11 further comprising:

applying a membrane seal over an open end of the launcher volume thereby preventing outside elements from entering the launcher volume prior to launch.

20. The method of claim 19 further comprising:

applying a cap over the membrane seal.