AIRCRAFT DEPLOYMENT AND RETRIEVAL OF UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLES

• US 20140117147A1
• Filed: 10/30/2012
• Published: 05/01/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 10/30/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Original Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Inventors: Hanna, Mark, Poling, David R.
• Granted Patent: US 9,132,916 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 244/2
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 39/024 of the remote controlled vehicle type, i.e. RPV
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 10/25 Fixed-wing aircraft VTOL aircraft B64U10/20
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 2101/00 UAVs specially adapted for particular uses or applications
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 2201/00 UAVs characterised by their flight controls
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 30/12 Variable or detachable wings, e.g. wings with adjustable sweep
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 50/13 using external fans or propellers
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 70/20 for releasing or capturing UAVs in flight by another aircraft
• 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 70/90 Launching from or landing on platforms
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 80/10 with means for moving the UAV to a supply or launch location, e.g. robotic arms or carousels
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 80/30 with arrangements for data transmission
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 80/40 for two or more UAVs
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 80/82 Airborne vehicles

Abstract

An aircraft system incorporates a first aircraft having a grappling device including a first gripper with a first actuator and a second gripper with a second actuator. The first gripper and the second gripper are movable between an open and a closed position to engage a hooking device and pivot together to change a capture angle. A first controller receives a command and operates the actuators in response to open and close the first and second grippers of the grappling device. The controller also receives a second command and operates the first and second actuators to pivot the grippers and provide grappling at a range of capture angles. A second aircraft, which may be a UAV, incorporates the hooking device. The hooking device includes a ring rotatable from the surface and a third actuator to rotate the ring between a stowed and an extended position.

Claims

1. An aircraft system comprising:

a first aircraft having

a grappling device including

a first gripper operatively attached to a first actuator;

a second gripper operatively attached to a second actuator independent from the first actuator, the first gripper and the second gripper being operatively attached and configured to move between an open and a closed position to engage a hooking device, the first gripper and the second gripper being additionally configured to pivot together to change a capture angle; and

a first controller configured to receive a command, operating the first and second actuators in response to the command to selectively open and close the first and second grippers of the grappling device, the controller being configured to receive a second command, to operate the first and second actuators to pivot the grippers and provide grappling at a range of capture angles.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the first aircraft is one of a fixed wing aircraft and a rotorcraft.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the first and second grippers are asymmetric to each other.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the first gripper incorporates a surface with a non-binding engagement profile enhancing release of the hooking device, and the second gripper provides a surface with a closed profile enhancing capture of the hooking device.

5. The system of claim 1, further comprising a first sensor integrated into the grappling device and configured to provide a signal to the controller when the grappling device is in contact with the hooking device, the controller issuing the command to operate the grappling device first and second actuators to close the first and second grippers responsive to the signal.

6. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

a second aircraft having a surface on which the hooking device mounted, said hooking device including a ring rotatable from the surface and a third actuator operatively attached to the ring and configured to rotate the ring between a stowed and an extended position.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the second aircraft is an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV).

8. The system of claim 6 further comprising a second controller configured to receive a command and operate the third actuator.

9. The system of claim 8 wherein the third actuator is rotatable to a post capture operating position.

10. The system of claim 6 further comprising a sensor attached to the hooking device and configured to provide a hooking sensor signal.

11. An Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) deployment and retrieval system comprising:

an aircraft having

a grappling device, and

a carousel adapted to receive and store a plurality, of UAVs and positionable for deployment of a selected UAV,

each UAV in said plurality of UAVs having

a hooking device adapted for engagement by the grappling device;

a mission controller receiving a mission requirement and selecting a respective one of said plurality of UAVs;

a carousel controller responsive to the mission controller for aligning the respective one UAV for deployment; and

,

a grappling device controller responsive to the mission controller for retrieving a UAV with the grappling device.

12. The system of claim 11 wherein the grappling device comprises:

a first gripper operatively attached to a first actuator;

a second gripper operatively attached to a second actuator independent from the first actuator, the first gripper and the second gripper being operatively attached and configured to move between an open and a closed position, the first gripper and the second gripper being configured to pivot together to change a a capture angle; and

further wherein the grappling device controller is configured to receive a command from the mission controller, operating the first and second actuators in response to the command to selectively open and close the first and second grippers of the grappling device, the controller being configured to receive a second command, to operate the first and second actuators to pivot the grippers and provide grappling at a range of capture angles.

13. The system of claim 12 wherein the hooking device comprises:

a ring rotatable from a fuselage of the UAV; and

a third actuator operatively attached to the ring and configured to rotate the ring between a stowed and an extended position.

14. The system of claim 11 wherein the aircraft is one of a rotorcraft and a fixed wing aircraft.

15. A method of deploying a selected UAV, the method comprising:

receiving a command to deploy a UAV having a particular capability;

selecting a UAV from a plurality of UAVs having the particular capability; and

deploying the selected UAV,

16. The method of claim 15 wherein the step of selecting a UAV comprises:

positioning a carousel containing the plurality of UAVs to a position for the selected UAV;

extending the UAV on a cradle; and

,

deploying the UAV with a grappling device.

17. The method of claim 16 further comprising:

retrieving the selected UAV, and,

returning the selected UAV to the carousel.

18. The method of claim 15 further comprising:

sensing a UAV for retrieval;

issuing a command to retrieve the UAV;

operating first and second actuators in response to the command to open first and second grippers of a grappling device;

receiving a contact signal indicating contact by a hooking device on the UAV with the grippers; and

,

operating the first and second actuators in response to the contact signal to close the first and second grippers.

19. The method of claim 17 further comprising operating the first and second actuators to pivot the grippers to provide grappling at a range of capture angles.

20. The method of claim 15 further comprising:

identifying and selecting an alternative platform for retrieval of the selected UAV; and

,

handing off the selected UAV to the alternative platform for retrieval.

21. The method of claim 15 further comprising:

locating a UAV having a predetermined mission capability an alternative platform; and

,

coordinating handoff of the located UAV from the alternative platform.