# US 10,501,176 B2 · Multicopter-assisted system and method for launching and retrieving a fixed-wing aircraft > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,501,176 B2 - Document ID: US10501176B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/432,483 - Filed: 2017-02-14 - Published: 2017-11-16 - Granted: 2019-12-10 - Earliest claimed: 2013-04-02 - Assignees: Hood Technology Corporation - Applicants: Hood Technology Corporation - Inventors: Andreas H. von Flotow; Corydon C. Roeseler - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10501176B2 ## CPC - B64F 1/029: {using a cable or tether} - B64C 25/08: non-fixed, e.g. jettisonable - B64C 27/001: {Vibration damping devices} - B64C 27/26: characterised by provision of fixed wings - B64C 27/32: Rotors - B64C 27/48: Root attachment to rotor head - B64D 1/00: Dropping, ejecting, releasing or receiving articles, liquids, or the like, in flight (refuelling during flight B64D39/00; launching apparatus for projecting projectiles or missiles F41F1/00, F41F7/00; rocket or torpedo launchers F41F3/00; weapon sights or aiming F41G) - B64D 1/02: Dropping, ejecting, or releasing articles (jettisonable fuel reservoirs B64D37/12) - B64D 1/12: Releasing - B64D 3/00: Aircraft adaptations to facilitate towing or being towed - B64D 5/00: Aircraft transported by aircraft, e.g. for release or reberthing during flight - B64F 1/0295: {aerodynamically or aerostatically supported, e.g. parafoil or balloon} - B64U 10/14: with four distinct rotor axes, e.g. quadcopters - B64U 10/25: Fixed-wing aircraft (VTOL aircraft B64U10/20) - B64U 70/20: for releasing or capturing UAVs in flight by another aircraft - B65D 25/10: Devices to locate articles in containers {(for protecting articles from mechanical damage B65D81/02)} - B65D 85/68: for machines, engines or vehicles in assembled or dismantled form - B64C 2027/003: {mounted on rotor hub, e.g. a rotary force generator} - B64U 50/19: using electrically powered motors - B64U 70/30: for capturing UAVs in flight by ground or sea-based arresting gear, e.g. by a cable or a net - B64U 80/70: in containers (B64U80/60 takes precedence) - B64U 2101/67: the UAVs comprising tethers for lowering the goods - B64U 2201/10: autonomous, i.e. by navigating independently from ground or air stations, e.g. by using inertial navigation systems [INS] - B64U 2201/104: using satellite radio beacon positioning systems, e.g. GPS - B64U 2201/20: Remote controls - B65D 2585/687: aircrafts - 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 - B64C: AEROPLANES; HELICOPTERS - B64D: EQUIPMENT FOR FITTING IN OR TO AIRCRAFT; FLIGHT SUITS; PARACHUTES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF POWER PLANTS OR PROPULSION TRANSMISSIONS IN AIRCRAFT - B64U: UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLES [UAV]; EQUIPMENT THEREFOR - B65D: CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES ## Abstract The present disclosure provides various embodiments of a multicopter-assisted launch and retrieval system generally including: (1) a multi-rotor modular multicopter attachable to (and detachable from) a fixed-wing aircraft to facilitate launch of the fixed-wing aircraft into wing-borne flight; (2) a storage and launch system usable to store the modular multicopter and to facilitate launch of the fixed-wing aircraft into wing-borne flight; and (3) an anchor system usable (along with the multicopter and a flexible capture member) to retrieve the fixed-wing aircraft from wing-borne flight. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A multicopter comprising: multiple arms each having a longitudinal axis; a hub base to which the arms are attachable, wherein a first plane passes through the hub base and includes the longitudinal axes of the arms when the arms are attached to the hub base; and a saddle attached to the hub base, wherein a second plane passes through the saddle, wherein part of the saddle is (i) movable relative to the hub base to vary an angle formed between the second plane and the first plane, (ii) attachable to a fixed-wing aircraft, and (iii) movable to set a pitch angle of the fixed-wing aircraft. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The multicopter of claim 1, wherein the saddle is below the hub base. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The multicopter of claim 1, wherein the part of the saddle is movable relative to the hub base between a first position and a second position. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The multicopter of claim 3, wherein the angle is about 0 degrees when the part of the saddle is in the first position such that the second plane and the first plane are generally parallel. ### Claim 5 (depends on 3) The multicopter of claim 3, wherein the angle is about 10 degrees when the part of the saddle is in the second position such that the second plane intersects the first plane. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The multicopter of claim 1, which includes at least one locking device having a locked configuration in which part of the locking device contacts the part of the saddle to prevent the part of the saddle from moving relative to the hub base. ### Claim 7 A multicopter comprising: a hub base; multiple arms each having a longitudinal axis and each being removably attachable to the hub base, wherein a first plane passes through the hub base and generally includes the longitudinal axes of the arms when the arms are attached to the hub base; and a saddle having: a first portion attached to the hub base; and a second portion pivotably attached to the first portion, wherein a second plane passes through the second portion of the saddle, the second portion being pivotable relative to the first portion between a first position and a second position to vary an angle formed between the second plane and the first plane, wherein the second portion is also (i) attachable to a fixed-wing aircraft and (ii) movable to set a pitch angle of the fixed-wing aircraft. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The multicopter of claim 7, wherein the angle is about 0 degrees when the second portion of the saddle is in the first position such that the second plane and the first plane are generally parallel. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) The multicopter of claim 7, wherein the angle is about 10 degrees when the second portion of the saddle is in the second position such that the second plane intersects the first plane. ### Claim 10 (depends on 7) The multicopter of claim 7, which includes at least one locking device having a locked configuration in which part of the locking device contacts the second portion of the saddle to prevent the second portion of the saddle from moving relative to the hub base. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The multicopter of claim 10, wherein the second portion of the saddle is pivotably attached to the first portion of the saddle near one end of the second portion and is also attached to the first portion near an opposing end of the second portion via the at least one locking device. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The multicopter of claim 11, which includes a first locking device and a second locking device. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The multicopter of claim 12, wherein the first portion of the saddle includes two generally parallel, spaced apart first and second sides that respectively define first and second adjustment slots. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The multicopter of claim 13, wherein a portion of the first locking device extends through the first adjustment slot and a portion of the second locking device extends through the second adjustment slot. ### Claim 15 A method for preparing a multicopter for flight, the method comprising: attaching multiple arms to a hub base of the multicopter; pivoting part of a saddle relative to the hub base to establish a desired angle between a plane passing through the hub base and a plane passing through the saddle, wherein the plane passing through the hub base generally includes longitudinal axes of the arms, and wherein the part of the saddle is (i) attachable to a fixed-wing aircraft and (i) movable to set a pitch angle of the fixed-wing aircraft; and locking the part of the saddle relative to the hub base. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, which includes attaching the arms to the hub base after pivoting the part of the saddle relative to the hub base. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, which includes attaching the fixed-wing aircraft to the part of the saddle. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The method of claim 17, wherein the pitch angle of the fixed-wing aircraft is generally equal to a desired angle between the plane passing through the hub base and the plane passing through the saddle. ### Claim 19 (depends on 17) The method of claim 17, which includes attaching the fixed-wing aircraft to the part of the saddle before attaching the arms to the hub base. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The method of claim 19, which includes attaching the fixed-wing aircraft to the part of the saddle before pivoting the portion of the saddle relative to the hub base.