# US 11,027,845 B2 · Device and method to intercept an aerial vehicle

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- Number: US 11,027,845 B2
- Document ID: US11027845B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 16/148,906
- Filed: 2018-10-01
- Published: 2019-04-04
- Granted: 2021-06-08
- Earliest claimed: 2017-09-29
- Applicants: Shawn M. Theiss
- Inventors: Shawn M. Theiss
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11027845B2

## CPC

- B64D 7/00: Arrangement of military equipment, e.g. armaments, armament accessories or military shielding, in aircraft; Adaptations of armament mountings for aircraft (dropping bombs or the like B64D1/00)
- B64D 5/00: Aircraft transported by aircraft, e.g. for release or reberthing during flight
- B64D 17/78: in association with other load-retarding apparatus
- B64U 30/12: Variable or detachable wings, e.g. wings with adjustable sweep
- B64U 70/30: for capturing UAVs in flight by ground or sea-based arresting gear, e.g. by a cable or a net
- B64U 70/83: using parachutes, balloons or the like
- F41H 11/02: Anti-aircraft or anti-guided missile {or anti-torpedo} defence installations or systems (cartridges or missiles for producing smoke or for dispensing radar chaff or infrared material F42B5/15, F42B12/48, F42B12/70; {informative reference: details of radar or sonar systems G01S7/00; jamming or electronic countermeasures G01S7/38, G01S7/495, H04K3/00})
- B64U 10/13: Flying platforms
- B64U 10/25: Fixed-wing aircraft (VTOL aircraft B64U10/20)
- B64U 70/50: Launching from storage containers, e.g. from submarine missile tubes
- B64U 2101/16: for controlling, capturing or immobilising other vehicles
- B64U 2201/20: Remote controls
- 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
- F41H: ARMOUR; ARMOURED TURRETS; ARMOURED OR ARMED VEHICLES; MEANS OF ATTACK OR DEFENCE, e.g. CAMOUFLAGE, IN GENERAL

## Abstract

An airframe is provided that can be flown under the control of an operator or an automated sensor and feedback system. The airframe can be any of a variety of known configurations with multiple rotors, fixed or retractable wings, puller or pusher propellers, or jet engines. The airframe includes at least one arm that is used to intercept and disable another airborne vehicle. In some configurations, the arm is fixed and can include fingers at its outer end. In other configurations, the arm is movable from a closed condition to an open condition. A wire or net is connected between the arm and a portion of the airframe so that the wire or net is spread open when the arm is deployed to the open condition. The wire or net are configured to disable or capture a target such as another aerial vehicle.

## Claims

### Claim 1

An airframe used to intercept another aerial vehicle in the air while flying; the airframe comprising:
a body having an arm hinged to the body and movable between closed and open conditions;
a net connected to the arm and the body; the net being open when the arm is in the open condition; and
the net being disposed in front of the hinged connection between the arm and the body when the arm is in the open condition.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The airframe of claim 1, wherein the net is releasable from the body and arm.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The airframe of claim 2, further comprising a parachute connected to the net.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The airframe of claim 3, wherein the parachute is carried by the body.

### Claim 5

An airframe used to intercept another aerial vehicle in the air while flying; the airframe comprising:
a body having a plurality of arms projecting forward in a flight direction from the body; and
a net carried by the arms.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

The airframe of claim 5, wherein the arms are movable between a closed condition and an open condition with respect to the body.

### Claim 7 (depends on 6)

The airframe of claim 6, wherein each of the arms pivots between the closed condition and the open condition on a hinge.

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

The airframe of claim 7, wherein the net is disposed forward of the hinges when the arms are in the open condition.

### Claim 9 (depends on 6)

The airframe of claim 6, wherein each of the arms includes a baffle that allows the arm to be moved from the closed condition to the open condition by wind force.

### Claim 10 (depends on 6)

The airframe of claim 6, further comprising a resilient member that moves at least one of the arms from the closed condition to the open condition.

### Claim 11 (depends on 6)

The airframe of claim 6, further comprising an actuator that moves at least one of the arms from the closed condition to the open condition.

### Claim 12 (depends on 5)

The airframe of claim 5, wherein the net is releasable from the body.

### Claim 13 (depends on 12)

The airframe of claim 12, wherein the net is releasable from the arms.

### Claim 14 (depends on 13)

The airframe of claim 13, further comprising a parachute connected to the net.

### Claim 15 (depends on 12)

The airframe of claim 12, wherein the arms are releasable from the body with the net.

### Claim 16 (depends on 15)

The airframe of claim 15, further comprising a parachute connected to the net.

### Claim 17 (depends on 5)

The airframe of claim 5, wherein the net is carried by the arms in front of the body.