Abstract:
Methods and apparatuses for assembling, launching, recovering, disassembling, capturing, and storing unmanned aircraft (140) and other flight devices or projectiles are described. In one embodiment, the aircraft (140) can be assembled from a container (111) with little or no manual engagement by an operator. The container (111) can include a guide structure to control motion of the aircraft components. The aircraft (140) can be launched from an apparatus that includes an extendable boom (103). The boom (103) can be extended to deploy a recovery line (853) to capture the aircraft (140) in flight. The aircraft (140) can then be returned to its launch platform, disassembled, and stored in the container (111), again with little or no direct manual contact between the operator and the aircraft (140).
Abstract:
Methods and apparatuses for cable launching airborne devices (e.g., unmanned aircraft) are disclosed. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes an elongated structure, e.g., a tower, boom or derrick. At least one flexible elongated member (e.g., a cable or rope) can be attached toward one end to the structure and toward another end to the ground or another structure to form an elongated launch path. A cradle, which can carry the airborne device, can also be movably attached to the flexible elongated member and can be accelerated along the launch path. As the cradle decelerates, the aircraft can be released into flight.
Abstract:
Methods and apparatuses for launching unmanned aircraft and other flight devices or projectiles are described. In one embodiment, the aircraft (150) can be launched from an apparatus that includes a launch carriage (120) that moves along a launch axis. A gripper (180) carried by the launch carriage can have at least one grip Portion (181) in contact with the aircraft while the launch carriage accelerates along the launch axis. The at least one grip portion can move out of contact with the fuselage of the aircraft as the launch carriage (120) decelerates, releasing the aircraft (150) for takeoff.
Abstract:
Methods and apparatuses for assembling, launching, recovering, disassembling , capturing, and storing unmanned aircraft and other flight devices or projectiles are described. In one embodiment, the aircraft can be assembled from a container with little or no manual engagement by an operator. The container can include a guide structure to control motion of the aircraft components. The aircraft can be launched from an apparatus that includes an extendable boom. The boom can be extended to deploy a recovery line to captu re the aircraft in flight. The aircraft can then be returned to its launch platform, disassembled, and stored in the container, again with little or no direct manual contact between the operator and the aircraft.
Abstract:
Aparato para llevar un avión no tripulado (150), que comprende:un soporte (141);un carro de lanzamiento (120) dispuesto de manera móvil en el soporte (141); que comprende;una pinza (180) acoplada de manera móvil al carro de lanzamiento (120), incluyendo la pinza (180) por lo menos unaparte de sujeción posicionada para acoplarse de manera liberable al fuselaje (151) del avión (150), pudiéndosemover la pinza (180) respecto al carro de lanzamiento (120) entre una primera posición con la por lo menos unaparte de sujeción posicionada para quedar en contacto con el fuselaje (151) y una segunda posición con la por lomenos una parte de sujeción posicionada para quedar sin contacto con el fuselaje (151), caracterizado por el hechode que comprende un freno (690) posicionado por lo menos próximo a la pinza (180), pudiendo cambiarse el freno(690) de una primera configuración en la que el freno (690) impide una primera cantidad de movimiento de la pinza(180), y una segunda configuración en la que el freno (690) no impide el movimiento de la pinza (180) respecto alcarro de lanzamiento (120), o impide una segunda cantidad de movimiento de la pinza (180) menor que la primeracantidad.
Abstract:
Methods and apparatuses for assembling, launching, recovering, disassembling, capturing, and storing unmanned aircraft and other flight devices or projectiles are described. In one embodiment, the aircraft can be assembled from a container with little or no manual engagement by an operator. The container can include a guide structure to control motion of the aircraft components. The aircraft can be launched from an apparatus that includes an extendable boom. The boom can be extended to deploy a recovery line to capture the aircraft in flight. The aircraft can then be returned to its launch platform, disassembled, and stored in the container, again with little or no direct manual contact between the operator and the aircraft.