Methods and apparatus to deploy unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) by kites
AssigneeInsitu, Inc.
InventorsBenjamin T. Brown, Alice Fockele, Kelly A. Comstock, John Wong, Jacob Allen, Daniel L. Shaw, Jesse D. Kiewit
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Methods and apparatus to deploy unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) by kites are disclosed. An example apparatus to deploy a UAV includes a tether line to support the UAV, a tensioner operatively coupled to the tether line, and a kite operatively coupled to the tether line to support the tether line for deployment of the UAV.
Claims21
An apparatus to deploy an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), the apparatus comprising:
- a tether line to support the UAV;
- a tensioner operatively coupled to the tether line;
- a kite operatively coupled to the tether line to support the tether line for deployment of the UAV;
- a platform to carry the UAV, wherein movement of the platform is guided by the tether line to catapult the UAV;
- and
- a release positioned on the platform to release the UAV when the UAV reaches a launch position as the UAV is catapulted.
A method of deploying an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), the method comprising:
- raising a tether line via a kite operatively coupled thereto, wherein the tether line is to support the UAV;
- coupling the UAV to platform that is guided by the tether line to catapult the UAV;
- and
- releasingthe UAV via a release device positioned on the platform to catapult the UAV when the UAV reaches a launch position.
A non-transitory machine readable medium comprising instructions, which when executed, cause a processor to at least:
- determine a position of at least one of a tether line or a kite supporting the tether line, wherein the tether line supports an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV);
- direct movement of the kite based on a desired launch flight path of the UAV;
- cause movement of the UAV via a platform guided by the tether line;
- and
- cause the UAV to be released from the platform via a release to catapult the UAV when the UAV reaches a launch position.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.