# US 10,118,713 B2 · Electric unmanned aerial vehicle launcher > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,118,713 B2 - Document ID: US10118713B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 14/999,290 - Filed: 2016-04-20 - Published: 2016-12-01 - Granted: 2018-11-06 - Earliest claimed: 2013-08-27 - Assignees: Engineered Arresting Systems Corporation - Applicants: Engineered Arresting Systems Corporation - Inventors: Andrew Tully; Dennis Page; Robert Withers; Kenneth Neeld; Richard L. Orner, Jr.; Kirk F. Schneider; Scott J. Whitsel - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10118713B2 ## CPC - B64F 1/08: using winches - B64U 70/70: Launching or landing using catapults, tracks or rails (launching from storage containers B64U70/50) - B64F: GROUND OR AIRCRAFT-CARRIER-DECK INSTALLATIONS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR USE IN CONNECTION WITH AIRCRAFT; DESIGNING, MANUFACTURING, ASSEMBLING, CLEANING, MAINTAINING OR REPAIRING AIRCRAFT, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; HANDLING, TRANSPORTING, TESTING OR INSPECTING AIRCRAFT COMPONENTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR - B64U: UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLES [UAV]; EQUIPMENT THEREFOR ## Abstract Embodiments of the present invention provide improvements to UAV launching systems. The disclosed launching system eliminates the use of hydraulic fluid and compressed nitrogen or air by providing an electric motor-driven tape that causes movement of a shuttle along a launcher rail. The shuttle is detachable from the motor-driven tape, such that stoppage of the tape can be separate from stoppage of the shuttle. Embodiments further provide a secondary arrestment strap. Further embodiments provide an anti-rollback latch system. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A launching system for an unmanned aerial vehicle, comprising: (a) a launcher rail; (b) a shuttle configured to travel along the launcher rail; (c) a drive mechanism for moving the shuttle along the launcher rail, the drive mechanism comprising (i) a length of tape running along the launcher rail, (ii) an electric drive motor that drives movement of the tape, and (iii) a drive reel to which one end of the tape is secured and around which the tape is wound during launch, wherein the shuttle is detachably secured to the tape via a rotary assembly system and a pawl, wherein engagement of the pawl with respect to the rotary assembly maintains attachment of the shuttle to the tape, wherein release of the pawl from the rotary assembly allows the shuttle to release from the tape. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The launching system of claim 1, wherein the rotary assembly comprises first and second wheels with first and second rods extending therebetween, the first and second rods defining a space around which the tape may be wound. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The launching system of claim 2, wherein the first and second wheels comprise a series of notches into which a catch element of the pawl is received. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The launching system of claim 1, wherein the rotary assembly comprises a connection surface at which the rotary assembly is secured to the shuttle. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The launching system of claim 1, wherein the pawl comprises a roller base and wherein the launcher rail comprises a disengagement ramp portion, wherein when the roller base contacts the disengagement ramp portion, the pawl is released from the rotary assembly. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The launching system of claim 1, wherein the tape is wound onto the drive reel during launch to accelerate the shuttle. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The launching system of claim 1, further comprising a payout reel having another end of the tape secured thereto. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The launching system of claim 1, wherein the tape is comprised of a material that offers a degree of cushioning during initial application of launch load. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The launching system of claim 1, wherein the tape comprises nylon or a nylon blend. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The launching system of claim 1, wherein the electric motor is a DC motor. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The launching system of claim 1, wherein the electric motor is powered by a battery. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The launching system of claim 1, wherein the launcher rail comprises an arrestment strap for stopping the shuttle once detached from the tape. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The launching system of claim 12, further comprising a secondary arrestment strap. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The launching system of claim 1, further comprising an anti roll-back latch system. ### Claim 15 A launching system for an unmanned aerial vehicle, comprising: (a) a launcher rail; (b) a tape configured to travel a length of the launcher rail; (c) a shuttle secured to the tape at a shuttle to tape interface configured to allow the shuttle to detach from the tape upon launch of the unmanned aerial vehicle; (d) a power reel driven by an electric drive motor that drives movement of the tape; (e) a payout reel; (f) a primary arrestment strap to halt movement of the shuttle along the launcher rail after launch; and (g) a secondary arrestment strap. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The launching system of claim 15, wherein the secondary arrestment strap is positioned further along the launcher rail than the primary arrestment strap and functions as a fail safe back-up. ### Claim 17 A launching system for an unmanned aerial vehicle, comprising: (a) a launcher rail; (b) a tape configured to travel a length of the launcher rail; (c) a shuttle secured to the tape at a shuttle to tape interface configured to allow the shuttle to detach from the tape upon launch of the unmanned aerial vehicle; (d) a power reel driven by an electric drive motor that drives movement of the tape; (e) a payout reel; (f) an arrestment feature to halt movement of the shuttle along the launcher rail after launch; and (g) an anti-rollback latch system configured to secure the shuttle to the strap and prevent its rollback after launch. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The launching system of claim 17, wherein the anti-rollback system comprises a pivoting latch and a hinge pin securing the pivoting latch to the shuttle. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The launching system of claim 18, wherein the anti-rollback system further comprises an angled face of the pivoting latch with beveled edges. ### Claim 20 (depends on 18) The launching system of claim 18, wherein the anti-rollback system further comprises a latch stop configured to stop movement of the pivoting latch and cause its closure against an arrestment feature.