Abstract:
The invention relates to an anchoring harpoon intended in particular for an aircraft, capable of cooperating with an anchoring grate of a platform, comprising jack means including cylinder means containing mobile piston means provided with a rod that extends beyond the cylinder means, the free end of which includes a harpoon head (7) that is hooked in the grate and comprises retaining fingers (8, 13, 14) that can be moved between a retracted position and an active position by control means (9). The invention is characterised in that the means (9) for controlling the movements of the fingers comprise a control piston (18) which can slide inside the rod of the jack and which is associated with a bistable actuator (19) of the fingers, capable of moving between a retracted position and an active position in which the fingers are deployed with the application of successive pressure pulses in the jack means.
Abstract:
An aircraft capable of thrust-borne flight can be automatically retrieved, serviced, and launched using equipment suitable for use on a small vessel, or a base with similarly limited space or irregular motion. For retrieval, the aircraft drops a weighted cable (2,3), and pulls it at low relative speed into a broad aperture ( l a ,Ψ a ) of a base apparatus (5). Continued translation of the aircraft may pull the cable clear of the apparatus, in which case it can continue in free flight and return for another retrieval attempt. Alternatively, the cable will be dragged along guiding surfaces (4) of the apparatus into and through a slot (6) or similar channel, until its free end is captured. The aircraft, having thus become anchored to the base station, is then pulled down by the cable into a receptacle (9). Guiding surfaces of the receptacle adjust the position and orientation of a probe (8) on the aircraft, while directing the probe to mate with a docking fixture. Once mated to the fixture, the cable can be released and stored aboard the aircraft; the aircraft can be automatically shut down; and fueling or other servicing can be completed through appropriate connectors in the docking fixture. The aircraft can remain docked as needed, and when desired, be automatically started and tested in preparation for launch. It can then be released into free flight. A full ground-handling cycle can thus accomplished with simple and economical apparatus. It can be used with low risk of damage, and only moderate piloting accuracy.
Abstract:
The invention relates to a device for recovering unmanned airborne vehicles comprising support means connected to the ground and retention means connected to the support means, it being possible for the device to occupy a non-operational position and an operational position in which the retention means are interposed in the path of the unmanned airborne vehicle. The support means consist of at least one inflatable element (1) comprising a part which, in the inflated position, has two vertical branches, and the retention means (5) are joined to the mentioned part of the at least one inflatable element (1) by sliding means (2), (4), (6), (7), such that the retention means (5), by the thrust of the unmanned airborne vehicle, move and at least partially surround the mentioned airborne vehicle, which is confined in the mentioned retention means.
Abstract:
A system (10) for slowing an air vehicle (12), including an independently supported aerodynamic drag device (14) designed so that, after contact is made between the flying air vehicle and the aerodynamic drag device (14), one or more parts of the aerodynamic drag device are carried along by the air vehicle (12) thereby decelerating the air vehicle (12), so that a majority of a kinetic energy dissipation of a combination of the air vehicle (12) and the aerodynamic drag device (14) is due to an aerodynamic drag of the aerodynamic drag device
Abstract:
The VTOL aircraft (10) includes a free wing (16) having wings on opposite sides of the fuselage (12) connected to one another for joint free rotation and for differential pitch settings under pilot, computer or remote control. On vertical launch, pitch, yaw and roll control is effected by the elevators (26), rudder (24) and the differential pitch settings of the wings, respectively. At launch, the elevator (26) pitches the fuselage (12) nose downwardly to alter the thrust vector and provide horizontal speed to the aircraft whereby the free wing (16) rotates relative to the fuselage (12) into a generally horizontal orientation to provide lift during horizontal flight. Transition from horizontal to vertical flight is achieved by the reverse process and the aircraft may be gently recovered in or on a resilient surface such as a net (66).