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US 12,330,799 B2Granted
Aircraft tow system with forward thrust gain
OwnerDoron Appelboiminventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Various apparatus and techniques for implementing unmanned, autonomous, cargo transport are disclosed. In certain instances, at least one towed aircraft is coupled to a tractor aircraft for inflight towing. The towed aircraft may be coupled using a towing element. In various instances, the towed aircraft includes one or more lift generating surfaces on its wings. The lift generating surfaces may be positioned at specific attack angles in the wake turbulence of the tractor aircraft to generate forward thrust gain.
Claims20
A cargo transport system, comprising:
- an engine powered tractor aircraft;
- at least one unmanned autonomous towed aircraft, wherein the towed aircraft includes a body with left and right wings positioned on opposing sides of the body;
- at least one towing element connecting the towed aircraft to the tractor aircraft;
- at least one lift generating surface positioned at a distal end of both the left and right wings, wherein the at least one lift generating surface is configured to provide positive forward thrust gain for the towed aircraft when the at least one lift generating surface is positioned at a specified attack angle in a portion of a wake turbulence of the tractor aircraft;
- and
- an autopilot system configured to control the position of the towed aircraft behind the tractor aircraft and the attack angles of the lift generating surfaces such that the lift generating surfaces on the towed aircraft gain positive forward thrust for the towed aircraft from a wake turbulence of the tractor aircraft.
3 more elements
A method for controlling flight of a cargo transport system, comprising:
- towing at least one unmanned autonomous towed aircraft behind an engine powered tractor aircraft using at least one towing element connected between the towed aircraft and the tractor aircraft, wherein the towed aircraft includes a body with left and right wings positioned on opposing sides of the body and one or more lift generating surfaces positioned at distal ends of both the left and right wings;
- controlling a position of the towed aircraft behind the tractor aircraft using an autopilot system;
- and
- controlling attack angles of the lift generating surfaces using the autopilot system;
- wherein the autopilot system controls the position of the towed aircraft behind the tractor aircraft and the attack angles of the lift generating surfaces such that the lift generating surfaces on the towed aircraft gain positive forward thrust for the towed aircraft from a wake turbulence of the tractor aircraft.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.