Method and apparatus for automated launch, retrieval, and servicing of a hovering aircraft
Number of patents in Portfolio can not be more than 2000
United States of America Patent
Stats
-
Feb 17, 2015
Issued Date -
N/A
app pub date -
Apr 8, 2014
filing date -
Feb 12, 2009
priority date (Note) -
In Force
status (Latency Note)
Importance
Abstract
Various embodiments of the present disclosure provide an apparatus configured to automatically retrieve, service, and launch an aircraft. For retrieval, the aircraft drops a weighted cable, and pulls it at low relative speed into a broad aperture of the apparatus. In certain instances, the cable is dragged along guiding surfaces of the apparatus into and through a slot until its free end is captured. The aircraft becomes anchored to the apparatus, and is pulled downward by the cable into a receptacle. Guiding surfaces of the receptacle adjust the position and orientation of a probe on the aircraft, directing the probe to mate with a docking fixture of the apparatus. Once mated, the aircraft is automatically shut down and serviced. When desired, the aircraft is automatically started and tested in preparation for launch, and then released into free flight. A full ground-handling cycle is thus accomplished with a simple, economical apparatus.
First Claim
Other Claims data not available
Family
International Classification(s)
- 2014 Application Filing Year
- B64F Class
- 306 Applications Filed
- 253 Patents Issued To-Date
- 82.68 % Issued To-Date
Cited Art Landscape
Patent Citation Ranking
- 48 Citation Count
- B64F Class
- 93.33 % this patent is cited more than
- 10 Age
Maintenance Fees
| Fee | Large entity fee | small entity fee | micro entity fee | due date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11.5 Year Payment | $7400.00 | $3700.00 | $1850.00 | Aug 17, 2026 |
