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US 11,027,842 B1Granted
Apparatus and system for UAV release
AssigneeThe United Statas of America. as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
InventorsNicholas H. Albrecht, Vincent R. Schuetz, Pavel K. Rybakov, Chase A. York, Scott D. Slaughter, Derek A. Hamel
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Embodiments are directed to releasing smaller unmanned aerial vehicles from larger unmanned aerial vehicles. Apparatus and system embodiments are disclosed for physically retaining and ejecting the smaller unmanned aerial vehicles, including the communication networks associated with the command and control of both the smaller unmanned aerial vehicles and the larger unmanned aerial vehicles.
Claims14
An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) release apparatus, comprising:
- a payload bay, comprising:
- a baseplate having a rectangular body section and two opposing end plates, wherein said rectangular body section has an upper surface, a lower surface, four exterior side surfaces, and four interior side surfaces, wherein each of said two opposing end plates perpendicularly extends up from said upper surface at a different short end of said rectangular body section than the other of said two opposing end plates;
- said four interior side surfaces comprising two diametrically-opposed lengthwise interior surfaces and two diametrically-opposed widthwise interior surfaces, wherein a plurality of mounting rails are attached to said upper surface and adjacent and attached to each of said two diametrically-opposed lengthwise interior surfaces of said rectangular body section, wherein said two opposing end plates bracket said plurality of mounting rails;
- a lip portion in said rectangular body section, said lip portion having a recessed shelf with countersunk surface, said recessed shelf with countersunk surface positioned peripherally around said rectangular body section;
- and
- a radio frequency (RF)-transparent bay cover releasingly-attached to said recessed shelf with countersunk surface, said RF-transparent bay cover having an exterior cross-sectional U-shape defined by the exterior cross-sectional shape of said two opposing end plates, wherein a length of said RF-transparent bay cover is equal to a length between said two opposing end plates;
- said RF-transparent bay cover having an opening so dimensioned for said UAV to jettison from said payload bay;
- a payload bay door mechanism attached to said payload bay, wherein said payload bay door mechanism is configured to open by rotating internally inside said payload bay;
- a rack and release system attached inside said payload bay, wherein said rack and release system is configured to retain an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) inside said payload bay;
- wherein said UAV is housed inside of said payload bay and attached to said rack and release system;
- wherein said rack and release system is configured to eject said UAV from said payload bay after said payload bay door mechanism is opened;
- and
- an electronic control stack located in said payload bay, wherein said electronic control stack is configured for command and control of said UAV after ejection from said payload bay.
10 more elements
A system for releasing a first unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) from a second UAV, wherein said first UAV is physically smaller than said second UAV, said system, comprising:
- a first UAV;
- a second UAV having a payload bay configured to house said first UAV, said payload bay, further comprising:
- a baseplate having a rectangular body section and two opposing end plates, wherein said rectangular body section has an upper surface, a lower surface, four exterior side surfaces, and four interior side surfaces, wherein each of said two opposing end plates perpendicularly extends up from said upper surface at a different short end of said rectangular body section than the other of said two opposing end plates;
- said four interior side surfaces comprising two diametrically-opposed lengthwise interior surfaces and two diametrically-opposed widthwise interior surfaces, wherein a plurality of mounting rails are attached to said upper surface and adjacent and attached to each of said two diametrically-opposed lengthwise interior surfaces of said rectangular body section, wherein said two opposing end plates bracket said plurality of mounting rails;
- a lip portion in said rectangular body section, said lip portion having a recessed shelf with countersunk surface, said recessed shelf with countersunk surface positioned peripherally around said rectangular body section;
- and
- a radio frequency (RF)-transparent bay cover releasingly-attached to said recessed shelf with countersunk surface, said RF-transparent bay cover having an exterior cross-sectional U-shape defined by the exterior cross-sectional shape of said two opposing end plates, wherein a length of said RF-transparent bay cover is equal to a length between said two opposing end plates;
- said RF-transparent bay cover having an opening so dimensioned for said first UAV to jettison from said payload bay;
- wherein said first UAV and said second UAV in communication through a wireless datalink;
- a first UAV ground control station in communication with said second UAV through said wireless datalink;
- and
- a second UAV ground control station in communication with said second UAV through said wireless datalink;
- wherein said second UAV is configured to release said first UAV upon instruction from one of said first UAV ground control station or said second UAV ground control station.
10 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.