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US 11,697,509 B2Granted
Aircraft retrieval system and method
AssigneeHood Technology Corporation
InventorsAndreas H. von Flotow, Corydon C. Roeseler, Caleb A. Woodruff, Benjamin T. Ketler
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The present disclosure describes various systems, devices, and methods configured to retrieve a fixed-wing aircraft from free flight using a flexible capture member and a monopole assembly.
Claims19
A method of retrieving a fixed-wing aircraft, said method comprising:
- hoisting a flexible capture member having a first end coupled to a lifting device to a pre-determined altitude, wherein the flexible capture member is guided through an upper guiding component of an elevated upstanding structure, wherein the lifting device is separate from the upper guiding component, wherein the upstanding structure includes a lower articulated joint;
- controlling the fixed-wing aircraft to intercept and engage a portion of the flexible capture member, and such that a portion of the energy from engagement of the fixed-wing aircraft with the flexible capture member is absorbed by the articulated joint;
- and
- lowering the flexible capture member with the fixed wing aircraft engaged to the portion of the flexible capture member such that the fixed-wing aircraft contacts a recovery structure that is separate from the lifting device.
1 more element
A method of retrieving a fixed-wing aircraft, said method comprising:
- hoisting a flexible capture member having a first end coupled to a multi-copter to a pre-determined altitude, wherein the flexible capture member is guided through a masthead of a monopole, wherein the multi-copter is separate from the monopole, wherein the monopole includes a lower articulated joint;
- controlling the fixed-wing aircraft to intercept and engage a portion of the flexible capture member, and such that a portion of the energy from engagement of the fixed-wing aircraft with the flexible capture member is absorbed by the articulated joint;
- and
- lowering the flexible capture member with the fixed wing aircraft engaged to the portion of the flexible capture member such that the fixed-wing aircraft contacts the monopole.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.