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US 11,697,508 B2Granted
Hybrid aircraft and landing launch/recovery system
AssigneeLeigh Aerosystems Corporation
InventorsGordon L. Harris, Stephen L. Harris
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A hybrid aircraft system uses a combination of direct propeller driven gas engine and electric motor power to provide vertical thrust and control for hover of the aircraft. Furthermore, a portable launch/recovery system is configured for use with an aircraft such as a Vertical Takeoff and Landing (VTOL) Unmanned Air Vehicle (UAV). The system is configured to enable ships with limited available deck space to become UAV-compatible.
Claims19
An aircraft launch/recovery system, comprising:
- an upper platform defining an upper surface sized and shaped to support an aircraft;
- a bottom platform configured to be positioned atop a surface of a seacraft;
- an expandable structure that mechanically links the upper platform to the bottom platform,
- wherein the expandable structure can transition between a folded state wherein the expandable structure is lowered relative to the bottom platform and an unfolded state wherein the expandable structure has an increased height that vertically raises the upper platform;
- a winch system mechanically coupled to the expandable structure, wherein the winch system actuates to transition the expandable structure between the folded state and the unfolded state;
- wherein an opening is positioned in the upper surface of the upper platform, and wherein the winch system is accessible via the opening such that the winch system is actuated via the opening;
- and
- wherein the winch system is actuated by inserting a tethered actuation structure into the opening such that the actuation structure mechanically engages the winch system.
5 more elements
A method of recovering a Vertical Takeoff and Landing Unmanned Air Vehicle (UAV), comprising:
- positioning the UAV above an aircraft launch/recovery system that includes:
- an upper platform defining an upper surface sized and shaped to support an aircraft;
- a bottom platform configured to be positioned atop a surface of a seacraft;
- an expandable structure that mechanically links the upper platform to the bottom platform, wherein the expandable structure can transition between a folded state wherein the expandable structure is lowered relative to the bottom platform and an unfolded state wherein the expandable structure has an increased height that vertically raises the upper platform;
- a winch system mechanically coupled to the expandable structure, wherein the winch system actuates to transition the expandable structure between the folded state and the unfolded state;
- wherein an opening is positioned in the upper surface of the upper platform, and wherein the winch system is accessible via the opening such that winch system is actuated via the opening
- dropping a tethered actuator into the opening;
- actuating the winch system via the tethered actuator so that the expandable structure transitions to the folded state.
5 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.